Ohio LLC Formation Cost (2026)

Forming an LLC in Ohio costs

$99

state filing fee, paid once

NoneAnnual report

NonePublication cost

$99+Est. year-1 total, excl. annual fee

LegalCostCalculator Editorial Team Data sourced from official government websites · Created May 2026 · Reviewed and verified October 2026

LLC Formation Cost Calculator

Select your state to see filing fees, annual report costs, and formation gotchas.

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LLC Operating Agreement Template

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A professionally drafted LLC Operating Agreement template covering ownership percentages, management structure, profit distribution, and member exit procedures. Includes both single-member and multi-member versions — the one document every LLC needs.

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Single-member AND multi-member versions — switch between them with one click
Covers ownership percentages, voting rights, and profit splits
Member exit and buyout provisions — prevents future disputes
Accepted by banks for business account opening
Fillable HTML + editable Word (.docx) — fill in browser or Microsoft Word

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$19

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Forming an LLC in Ohio: Full Cost Breakdown

To form an LLC in Ohio, you file Articles of Organization (sometimes called a Certificate of Formation or Certificate of Organization) with the Ohio Secretary of State. The state filing fee is $99.

Standard processing time is 3 business days. Expedited processing is available (about 1 business day).

Watch out

Ohio has a Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) for businesses with over $6 million in annual taxable gross receipts (tax years 2025 and later).

Pro tip

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

Don't forget your Operating Agreement

Even though Ohio may not legally require it, an Operating Agreement protects your limited liability status and is essential if you have co-founders or a business bank account.

Source: Ohio Secretary of State ↗

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Registered agent required in Ohio

Every LLC must designate a registered agent with a physical Ohio address to receive legal documents. Using a commercial service ($50–$150/yr) keeps your home address off the public record.

Frequently Asked Questions — Ohio LLC

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Ohio?

Forming an LLC in Ohio costs $99 for the state filing fee. Estimated first-year cost is approximately $99.

What is the LLC filing fee in Ohio?

The Ohio LLC filing fee is $99. This one-time charge is paid to the Ohio Secretary of State to officially register your LLC.

Does Ohio require an annual report for LLCs?

Yes — Ohio LLCs must file an annual report with a fee of $0. The report is required but carries no filing fee.

Does Ohio require LLC publication?

No — Ohio does not require LLC publication. This eliminates a significant additional cost compared to states like New York that mandate it.

What is the Ohio LLC franchise tax?

Ohio does not impose a separate franchise tax on LLCs, keeping ongoing operating costs lower.

How do I form an LLC in Ohio?

To form an LLC in Ohio: (1) choose a unique name including "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company", (2) appoint a registered agent with an Ohio address, (3) file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State and pay the $99 fee, (4) create an Operating Agreement, and (5) get a free EIN from the IRS. See our full Ohio LLC formation guide for step-by-step instructions.