How to Start an LLC in Ohio (2026)

Q: How much does it cost to start an LLC in Ohio?

The Articles of Organization filing fee is a one-time $99 to the Secretary of State. Your EIN from the IRS is free, and Ohio has no annual report fee, so many Ohio LLCs cost just $99 and have almost no ongoing state cost.

Q: Does Ohio have an annual report for LLCs?

No. Ohio does not require an annual report or annual fee for LLCs, and it has no franchise tax on LLCs. That makes Ohio one of the cheapest and lowest-maintenance states to keep an LLC active.

Q: What is a statutory agent in Ohio?

A statutory agent is Ohio's name for a registered agent: the person or service, with an Ohio address, that accepts legal documents for your LLC. You can be your own statutory agent if you have an Ohio address, or use a commercial service.

Q: How long does it take to form an LLC in Ohio?

Online filings through the Ohio Secretary of State are usually processed within about 3 to 7 business days, and expedited options are available for an additional fee if you need it sooner.

Last updated: July 21, 2026

To start an Ohio LLC, file the Articles of Organization with the Ohio Secretary of State for $99, name a statutory agent with an Ohio address, and get a free EIN from the IRS. The best part: Ohio has no annual report and no franchise tax on LLCs, so after the $99 there's almost nothing to pay to keep it going.

Quick note: we're operators, not attorneys or accountants. This is general educational info, not legal or tax advice — confirm current Ohio requirements with the state and a licensed pro before filing.

Ohio is one of the cheapest, lowest-maintenance states in the country for an LLC: a $99 filing and no annual report to remember. Here's the whole process in plain English, written for people starting something real like a courier route.

Why Ohio is easy Unlike most states, Ohio has no annual report and no annual fee for LLCs, and no franchise tax. Once you file, there's no yearly state paperwork to forget — you just keep your statutory agent current. That's a real advantage for a busy owner.

How to start an Ohio LLC in 6 steps

Name it, appoint a statutory agent, file the Articles ($99), write an operating agreement, get a free EIN, then keep it compliant — no annual report needed.

Name your Ohio LLC

Your name must be distinguishable from other Ohio businesses and include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company." Search it on the Secretary of State's business database first so your filing isn't rejected, and grab the matching domain.

Name a statutory agent

Ohio calls the registered agent a "statutory agent" — the person or service, with an Ohio address, that accepts legal mail for your LLC. You can be your own statutory agent, or use a service to keep your home address off the public record — handy for a courier working from home. Northwest includes statutory-agent service free the first year with their $39 filing.

File the Articles of Organization

This is the document that creates your LLC. File it with the Ohio Secretary of State and pay the $99 filing fee. Filing online through the Ohio Business Central portal is fastest — often processed in a few business days.

Write an operating agreement

Ohio doesn't require one, but create it anyway. It sets out ownership and management, reinforces your liability protection, and banks usually want to see it. A filled-in template covers most single-owner courier businesses.

Get a free EIN from the IRS

Get your EIN free at irs.gov in a few minutes — you need it for a business bank account and taxes. Never pay a third party for one.

Keep it compliant (no annual report)

Here's the easy part: Ohio has no annual report and no franchise tax for LLCs. To stay in good standing you just keep your statutory agent current, open a separate business bank account, and handle any local licenses and taxes. That's it.

Ohio LLC cost breakdown

$99 to form, and essentially nothing to the state after that — one of the cheapest states to run an LLC.

Item	Cost	Required?
Articles of Organization	$99 one-time	Yes
EIN	Free from the IRS	Yes (free)
Statutory agent service	$0 (yourself) – $300/yr	No
Annual report	None — Ohio has no annual report	N/A

Ohio figures as of 2026. Verify current amounts at ohiosos.gov before filing.

Rather have it filed for you? Northwest will form your Ohio LLC for $39 + the $99 state fee and act as your statutory agent the first year, keeping your home address off the public record. See the $39 formation service → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Setting up to run courier routes in Ohio?

The LLC is step one. Our course covers the rest — insurance and certifications, the business bank account, and how to find routes and win contracts with Ohio clinics, labs, and hospitals.

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Ohio LLC FAQs

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

The Articles of Organization fee is a one-time $99. Your EIN is free and Ohio has no annual report, so many Ohio LLCs cost just $99 with almost no ongoing state cost.

Does Ohio have an annual report for LLCs?

No. Ohio requires no annual report and no annual fee for LLCs, and has no franchise tax on them — one of the cheapest, lowest-maintenance states.

What is a statutory agent in Ohio?

It's Ohio's name for a registered agent — the person or service, with an Ohio address, that accepts legal documents for your LLC. You can be your own if you have an Ohio address, or use a commercial service.

How long does it take to form an LLC in Ohio?

Online filings usually process within about 3–7 business days. Expedited options are available for an additional fee.

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