LegalCostCalculator
Updated May 2026 Side-by-Side

Ohio vs Wyoming: Legal Cost Comparison (2026)

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

Ohio
Cheaper LLC
Wyoming
Cheaper Divorce
Ohio
Higher SC Limit

LLC Formation Costs: Ohio vs Wyoming

Ohio
Wyoming

Filing Fee

$99 WIN
$100

✓ Ohio is cheaper here

Annual Report

$0 WIN
$62

✓ Ohio is cheaper here

Publication Cost

$0
$0

It's a tie

Franchise Tax

$0
$0

It's a tie

Est. Year-1 Total

$99 WIN
$100

✓ Ohio is cheaper here

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

Wyoming: Wyoming's $62 annual report scales with assets. Also: if you operate in another state, you MUST foreign-qualify there too.

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

Wyoming: No state income tax, no franchise tax, strong privacy laws, low fees — top choice for anonymous and multi-state LLCs.

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Small Claims Court: Ohio vs Wyoming

Ohio
Wyoming

Max Claim Limit

$6,000
$6,000

It's a tie

Min Filing Fee

$35
$25 WIN

✓ Wyoming is cheaper here

Contract SOL

6 yrs
8 yrs WIN

✓ Wyoming is cheaper here

Divorce Filing Costs: Ohio vs Wyoming

Ohio
Wyoming

Filing Fee

$250
$100 WIN

✓ Wyoming is cheaper here

Sheriff Service

$45
$30 WIN

✓ Wyoming is cheaper here

Children Surcharge

$25
$0 WIN

✓ Wyoming is cheaper here

Notary Fees: Ohio vs Wyoming

Ohio
Wyoming

Acknowledgment

$5
$10

Jurat

$5
$0

RON Fee

$25
$10
All Legal Costs in Ohio →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary
All Legal Costs in Wyoming →
Full breakdown: LLC, divorce, small claims & notary

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ohio or Wyoming cheaper to form an LLC?
Ohio is cheaper to form an LLC — $99 vs $100. However, consider the full first-year cost including annual report fees: Ohio year-1 total is $99 vs Wyoming at $100.
What is the LLC filing fee in Ohio vs Wyoming?
The LLC filing fee is $99 in Ohio vs $100 in Wyoming. In addition to the one-time filing fee, Ohio has no annual report fee and Wyoming charges a $62 annual report fee.
Which state is better for a small business — Ohio or Wyoming?
For most small businesses operating in one state, form your LLC in the state where you actually do business. If you operate in Ohio, form there — registering in Wyoming and then foreign-qualifying in Ohio 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 Ohio and Wyoming?
Wyoming has lower divorce filing fees — $100 vs $250. Both states also charge for service of process ($45 in Ohio, $30 in Wyoming). You can only file divorce in a state where you or your spouse meets the residency requirement.
What is the small claims limit in Ohio vs Wyoming?
The small claims limit is $6,000 in Ohio vs $6,000 in Wyoming. Ohio allows you to sue for more money without going to regular civil court. Filing fees are $35 in Ohio and $25 in Wyoming.