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To form an LLC in Ohio you pay the Secretary of State $99 for Articles of Organization, Form 610. After that, the Secretary of State has no recurring fee for a typical LLC, because Ohio LLCs "are not required to submit annual or biennial filings."
That keeps the filing office part of the budget short. Tax is a separate matter handled by Ohio's tax agency, which this page does not cover. To search Ohio businesses, see our Ohio business entity search guide.
First year and each year after
From the Secretary of State business filing forms page and its guide to starting an LLC:
| Ohio filing | Fee | When it comes up |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form 610) | $99 | Once, to form |
| Annual or biennial report | None for LLCs | Not required |
| Name Reservation (Form 534B), optional | $39 | Before forming, holds the name 180 days |
| Expedite level 1, optional | $100 | Filing reviewed in 2 business days |
| Expedite level 2, optional | $200 | 1 business day |
| Expedite level 3, optional | $300 | 4 hours |
| Statutory Agent Update (Form 521) | $25 | Only when your agent changes |
| Reinstatement and Appointment of Agent (Form 525A) | $25 | Only after cancellation for no agent |
The minimum Secretary of State cost is $99, once. With the fastest expedite it is $399.
Ohio also issues a Certificate of Good Standing, which banks sometimes ask for. Check the current price on the Secretary of State's business reports page before ordering.
Registering an LLC from another state
The Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company, Form 617, costs $99, the same as forming in Ohio (business filing forms). There are no annual or biennial filings afterwards. See foreign LLC registration for when an outside LLC must register.
Costs outside the Secretary of State fees
- Statutory agent. Ohio calls the registered agent a statutory agent, and every LLC must keep one. If you pay a private service, that is a private cost.
- Ohio taxes. Business taxes are handled by the Ohio Department of Taxation, not the Secretary of State. Check with that agency for what applies to your LLC.
- Legal or accounting advice, if you want it.
- EIN. Free from the IRS: "You never have to pay a fee for an EIN," as its EIN page puts it. Our EIN for an LLC page explains the steps.
- Local licences from your city or county.
When the Ohio cost goes up
With no annual report, Ohio has no late report penalty for LLCs. The risk is the statutory agent. The Secretary of State can cancel an LLC that "has failed to maintain a statutory agent and does not cure its failure upon notice." Fixing it means a $25 Form 525A filing, and while the LLC is canceled its name is held for one year from the cancellation date (guide to starting an LLC).
A name conflict can also cost time. Ohio names must be distinguishable from others on file, and a similar name needs written consent filed on Form 590.
The largest optional cost is speed. Paying for 4-hour review adds $300 to a $99 filing. Source: the Secretary of State guide to starting an LLC.
Compare Ohio with other states
Ohio's one-time $99 is worth setting beside neighbours such as Pennsylvania and Michigan. Use our LLC fees by state table to see them together, and the LLC cost calculator to project several years of state fees for each.
To go from cost to action, see how to start an LLC in Ohio.