Get an LLC in Ohio
Start an Ohio LLC by filing Articles of Organization with the Ohio Secretary of State for $99.
You can use our free tool to fill out the paperwork right here yourself. Or hire Northwest to do it for you and we’ll provide one year of registered agent service and a business identity—all for $39.
How to Start an LLC in Ohio
A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a permanent public record. Starting one requires sharing personal information with the government, banks, landlords, vendors, and of course, customers. We provide a Free Business Identity to anyone who needs it—that’s a domain name, website, phone line, and email address. This helps protect your privacy and keep you in control of your intellectual property.
1. Name Your LLC
Choosing a strong business name is important both for registering your LLC and creating your business identity.
Your LLC’s name must:
- Contain the words limited liability company or an abbreviation like LLC or L.L.C.
- Be unique among registered business names in Ohio
If your name is too similar to a business name that’s already registered in Ohio, your application won’t be accepted. You can use the Ohio Secretary of State’s office to search business names in Ohio and check on your preferred name.
2. Register Your Domain Name
A domain name is an address for a website, and it’s a crucial piece of your online identity. When you’re deciding on an LLC name, it’s smart to see if there’s a matching (or complementary) domain name available. If so, we recommend registering the domain right away, before it gets scooped up by a competitor.
You’ll need a domain name to create a website and a professional email address. When you form your LLC with Northwest, we’ll help you register your first domain for free.
3. Appoint a Statutory Agent
Your Ohio Statutory Agent (also called a registered agent) is the person or company you appoint to be your legal contact with the state. If your LLC is sued or the Secretary of State sends you a notice, they’ll reach out to your statutory agent, who will forward the notice to you. You’re required to appoint a statutory agent when you file the Articles of Organization.
Your statutory agent must:
- Be available to accept service of process in person
- Have a physical address in Ohio, which will go on the public record
You can appoint yourself as statutory agent for your company if you live in Ohio, but you’ll need to put your name and address on the public record, where anyone can find it with an online search.
To protect their privacy, many LLC owners appoint a registered agent service instead, like Northwest!
4. File Articles of Organization
Articles of Organization are the form you submit to the Ohio Secretary of State. Once you submit your Ohio Articles of Organization (LLC), the Secretary of State’s office will check it for any issues. If there are none, the state will approve the Articles, and your LLC will officially be formed.
The information you’ll need to provide on your Articles of Organization includes:
- Business name
- Effective date
- Purpose
- Statutory agent information
- Executor signature
Note: All of the information on this form becomes part of the public record. You can hire a professional registered agent and keep your personal information private.
When we say file, we just mean submitting your LLC paperwork to the Ohio Secretary of State. You’ll also have to pay a $99 filing fee, or more if you want expedited service. You can choose to submit your Articles by mail, online, or in person.
File online here:
Ohio Business Filings
Send by mail here:
P.O. Box 670
Columbus, OH 43216
For two-day processing time, send here (for an extra $100):
P.O. Box 1390
Columbus, OH 43216
For in-person service, go here
Client Service Center
180 Civic Center Dr.
Columbus, Ohio 43215
The cost to register an LLC in Ohio is $99. You’ll need to pay an extra $100 if you want expedited processing. In addition to this initial filing fee, you may need to pay additional fees for business licenses or permits required for your business.
Ohio does not require LLCs to file an annual or biennial report.
5. Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is a guidebook for how your LLC will operate. It covers how the LLC will do things like vote, resolve disputes, and allocate profits. If someone wants to transfer their interests to another member, that should also be covered in the handbook.
Tip: Writing an operating agreement doesn’t come naturally. So we had our attorneys draft an Ohio LLC operating agreement template, and you can customize it for free.
Ohio doesn’t legally require LLCs to have an operating agreement, but if you don’t create one now, you’re setting yourself up for trouble down the line. Without an operating agreement, you’ll be governed by Ohio’s default LLC statutes, which may not be the best fit for your LLC.
An operating agreement is an internal document, so you don’t have to file it with the Ohio Secretary of State. Instead, keep your operating agreement with your permanent business records and give a copy to each LLC member and manager.
6. Get an EIN
Your LLC probably needs an Employer Identification Number (EIN). It’s a nine-digit number assigned by the IRS to your business. You need an EIN to pay taxes, but also to do things like open bank accounts and apply for loans. Listing your EIN on forms is also safer than listing your personal Social Security number.
You can apply for an EIN through the IRS website. If you don’t want to deal with the IRS any more than necessary, you can hire us to obtain an EIN for you.