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Ohio LLC formation
Start your Ohio LLC, usually filed within 1 business hour
HourLLC usually prepares and files your Ohio Articles of Organization with the Ohio Secretary of State within one business hour of a complete order (Monday to Thursday 9 AM to 5 PM and Friday 9 AM to 12 PM Eastern; orders placed after hours are usually filed by 10 AM the next business day). You pay our $99 service fee plus Ohio's $99 state filing fee and $200 1-business-day expedited filing fee, both passed through at cost, so your total is $398. An EIN from the IRS and an operating agreement are included.
- State fee at cost, shown up front
- EIN included
- Documents by email
At a glance
Ohio LLC: fees, speed and paperwork
Once we file, approval is up to the state. Ohio files every order with the state rush, so approval is expected within 1 business day. Every Ohio order is filed with the state's 1-business-day expedited service: +$200. It's the state's own fee, passed through at cost with no service fee from us.
- State filing fee (paid to the state at cost)
- $99
- HourLLC service fee
- $99
- Includes Ohio 1-business-day expedited filing (+$200 state rush fee)
- +$200
- Your total
- $398
- We file
- usually within 1 business hour
- State approval (rush included)
- Within 1 business day
- Filing office
- Ohio Secretary of State
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization
- Certified copy (state cost only)
- $5 + $1/page
- Certificate of Good Standing (state cost only)
- $5
State fees and processing times as researched in October 2026 and subject to change by Ohio. We confirm your exact state fee before we file. Certified copies and Good Standing certificates are optional; the required Ohio rush fee is charged at checkout at the state's cost. No service fee on any of them.
Official Ohio fee source: official state fee page. Fees checked October 23, 2026; the price at checkout is what the state charges us, including any card or portal fee it adds.
How it works
Forming an LLC in Ohio with HourLLC
- Pick a name. Your Ohio LLC name must include an LLC designator such as "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" and must not already be taken. We check availability before filing; give us a backup name on the form in case your first choice is taken.
- Fill out a 3 minute form. Members, an Ohio registered agent, and your business address. Ohio filings are public records, so a business address rather than a home address is a common choice.
- Review and pay. One total: $99 plus Ohio's state fee and required rush fee at cost. No upsells.
- We usually file within 1 business hour. We prepare and submit your Articles of Organization to the Ohio Secretary of State. When Ohio approves it, we email your filing receipt and stamped Articles of Organization as PDFs and keep them in Documents at My account. Then we get your EIN.
After your Ohio LLC is approved
Ohio does not require LLCs to file an annual report; regular reporting requirements apply only to certain other entity types.
Your EIN is included: we apply to the IRS for it together with your state filing, so you can open a business bank account and file taxes under the LLC.
Almost every state requires a registered agent with a street address in the state who accepts official mail and legal papers during business hours. You can be your own registered agent if you have an Ohio address, or use a commercial registered agent.
What every HourLLC order includes
- Name availability check before filing
- Articles of Organization usually filed with the state within 1 business hour
- EIN from the IRS (federal tax ID)
- Free operating agreement
- Filing receipt and stamped, approved Articles of Organization, emailed as PDFs
- Annual report reminders, free with every LLC
Choosing an Ohio LLC formation service
Compare the all-in price, not the starting price. Ask each service: is the EIN included, is an operating agreement included, when exactly do you file, and what renews every year? With HourLLC the answer is one price ($99 plus Ohio's fee at cost), EIN and operating agreement included, usually filed within 1 business hour, and no yearly fee for the LLC itself. See a side by side comparison.
Yearly cost after your Ohio LLC is formed
Ohio does not require LLCs to file an annual report; regular reporting requirements apply only to certain other entity types. We send free reminders before it is due.
Rules and costs
Ohio LLC requirements
On this page: Name rules · Statutory agent · EIN · Cost breakdown
Ohio LLC name rules
An Ohio LLC name must include “limited liability company”, “L.L.C.”, “LLC”, “limited”, “ltd.” or “ltd”. It also has to be different from names already on file with the state.
You can reserve a name before you file for $39 (good for 180 days). Most people skip this: we check the name and file right away, and you can give us a backup name.
Ohio statutory agent
The statutory agent must be an Ohio resident or a business with an Ohio address that is allowed to do business in Ohio. The address must be a street address in Ohio (a P.O. box does not count). The agent must sign a written acceptance of the appointment, filed with the articles of organization.
On our order form you name your statutory agent and their Ohio street address. It can be you, if you have a street address in Ohio, or a commercial statutory agent service.
Getting an EIN for your Ohio LLC
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC's federal tax ID. It comes from the IRS, not from Ohio, and the IRS does not charge for it. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees and file business taxes. Every HourLLC order includes it: we prepare and submit the EIN application together with your state filing and send you the IRS confirmation letter.
If your LLC will sell taxable goods or services or hire employees, you may also need to register for Ohio state tax accounts. That is a separate step with the state.
Ohio LLC cost breakdown
| State filing fee (one time) | $99 |
|---|---|
| Required state rush fee (Ohio 1-business-day expedited filing) | $200 |
| Yearly report or tax | No annual report |
| Name reservation (optional) | $39 |
| Assumed or trade name / DBA (optional, Secretary of State) | $39 |
| Statutory agent | $0 if you serve yourself; a commercial service charges its own yearly fee |
Add our $99 service fee once, at formation. There is no yearly HourLLC fee for the LLC itself.
Checked on official Ohio sources on November 5, 2026: name rules, registered agent, trade name, annual report. Rules and fees can change; we confirm them before we file.
FAQ
Ohio LLC questions, answered
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Ohio?
Ohio charges a $99 state filing fee for a new LLC, and every Ohio order includes its 1-business-day expedited filing (+$200 state rush fee). HourLLC adds a flat $99 service fee, so your total is $398. That includes your EIN and an operating agreement. The state fee is passed through at cost and shown before you pay.
How long does it take to get an LLC in Ohio?
We usually file within 1 business hour of a complete order during business hours. After that, approval is up to the Ohio Secretary of State. With the required state rush, approval is expected within 1 business day. Some filings take longer; the state sets the pace, not us.
Can I rush my Ohio LLC?
Every Ohio order is filed with the state's 1-business-day expedited service: +$200. It's the state's own fee, passed through at cost with no service fee from us.
Does an Ohio LLC have to file an annual report?
Ohio does not require LLCs to file an annual report; regular reporting requirements apply only to certain other entity types. We send free reminders with every LLC so you do not miss it.
What is the Ohio formation document called?
In Ohio the document that creates your LLC is the Articles of Organization, filed with the Ohio Secretary of State. We prepare it from your order, file it, and email you the stamped, approved copy as a PDF.
Do I need a registered agent in Ohio?
Yes, like almost every state, Ohio requires a registered agent with a street address in the state who can accept official mail and legal papers during business hours. You can be your own registered agent if you have an Ohio address, or use a commercial registered agent and give us that address when you order.
Is the EIN really included?
Yes. The IRS issues EINs for free, and we prepare and submit the application for you together with your state filing, at no extra charge. You will usually need the EIN to open a business bank account or hire employees.
What does an Ohio LLC name need to include?
An Ohio LLC name must include "limited liability company", "L.L.C.", "LLC", "limited", "ltd." or "ltd", and it has to be different from names already on file with the state.
Who can be a statutory agent in Ohio?
The statutory agent must be an Ohio resident or a business with an Ohio address that is allowed to do business in Ohio. The address must be a street address in Ohio (a P.O. box does not count). The agent must sign a written acceptance of the appointment, filed with the articles of organization.
How do I get an EIN for my Ohio LLC?
An EIN is a free federal tax ID from the IRS. Every HourLLC order includes it: we prepare and submit the EIN application together with your Ohio state filing and send you the IRS confirmation letter.
Other states
Forming an LLC somewhere else?
We file in all 50 states and DC at the same $99 service fee. Each state sets its own filing fee and speed.
Nearby states
Sources checked October 2026: Ohio filing requirements