LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

North Dakota vs Ohio: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

Full side-by-side breakdown of legal fees in North Dakota and Ohio — LLC formation, divorce filing, small claims limits, and notary fees.

Ohio
Cheaper LLC
North Dakota
Cheaper Divorce
North Dakota
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: North Dakota vs Ohio

North Dakota
Ohio

Filing Fee

$135
$99 WIN

✓ Ohio is cheaper here

Annual Report

$50
$0 WIN

✓ Ohio is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$0
$0

It's a tie

Franchise Tax

$0
$0

It's a tie

Est. Year-1 Total

$135
$99 WIN

✓ Ohio is cheaper here

North Dakota: North Dakota requires an annual report every year — don't miss the deadline.

Ohio: Ohio has a Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) for businesses with over $150,000 in annual gross receipts.

North Dakota: Moderate fees and low business competition in many sectors.

Ohio: No annual report — free to maintain after the $99 formation fee.

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Small Claims Court: North Dakota vs Ohio

North Dakota
Ohio

Max Claim Limit

$15,000 WIN
$6,000

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Min Filing Fee

$35
$35

It's a tie

Contract SOL

6 yrs
6 yrs

It's a tie

Divorce Filing Costs: North Dakota vs Ohio

North Dakota
Ohio

Filing Fee

$80 WIN
$250

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$30 WIN
$45

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Children Surcharge

$0 WIN
$25

✓ North Dakota is cheaper here

Notary Fees: North Dakota vs Ohio

North Dakota
Ohio

Acknowledgment

$5
$5

Jurat

$5
$5

RON Fee

$5
$25
All Legal Costs in North Dakota →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary
All Legal Costs in Ohio →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary

Frequently Asked Questions

Is North Dakota or Ohio cheaper to form an LLC?
Ohio is cheaper to form an LLC — $99 vs $135. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees: North Dakota year-1 total is $135 vs Ohio at $99.
What is the LLC filing fee in North Dakota vs Ohio?
The LLC filing fee is $135 in North Dakota vs $99 in Ohio. In addition to the one-time filing fee, North Dakota charges a $50 annual report fee and Ohio has no annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — North Dakota or Ohio?
For most small businesses operating in one state, form your LLC in the state where you actually do business. If you operate in North Dakota, form there — registering in Ohio and then foreign-qualifying in North Dakota means paying fees to both states. The "form in a cheaper state" strategy mainly benefits online businesses with no physical location.
How do divorce filing fees compare between North Dakota and Ohio?
North Dakota has lower divorce filing fees — $80 vs $250. Both states also charge for service of process ($30 in North Dakota, $45 in Ohio). You can only file divorce in a state where you or your spouse meets the residency requirement.
What is the small claims limit in North Dakota vs Ohio?
The small claims limit is $15,000 in North Dakota vs $6,000 in Ohio. North Dakota allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $35 in North Dakota and $35 in Ohio.