To form an Ohio LLC, you file articles of organization with the Ohio Secretary of State and pay ninety-nine dollars ($99), as of October 2026, under Ohio Revised Code section 111.16. The articles need your LLC's name and a statutory agent's name and street address, plus a written acceptance signed by that agent.
Ohio keeps the formation filing short. The law asks for three things and lets you add anything else you want. The part that trips people up isn't the form, it's the statutory agent, because Ohio can cancel an LLC that loses its agent. Here's what the statutes say, section by section.
Ohio LLC fees at a glance
Every figure below is written out in words in Ohio Revised Code section 111.16, as of October 2026:
| Filing | Fee | Where it sits in 111.16 |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of organization (domestic LLC) | $99 | Division (F) |
| Registration of a foreign LLC | $99 | Division (F) |
| Name reservation | thirty-nine dollars | Division (S)(1) |
| Trade name or fictitious name registration | thirty-nine dollars | Division (S)(2) |
| Change of agent name or address, or agent resignation | $25 | Division (R)(1) |
| Reinstatement of a cancelled entity | $25 | Division (Q) |
What goes in the articles of organization
Section 1706.16 lists everything the articles must set out:
- The name of the LLC.
- The name and street address of the statutory agent, with a written acceptance of the appointment signed by the agent.
- A statement under section 1706.761, only if it applies to you.
- Anything else the organizers or members choose to include.
The LLC exists once the Secretary of State files the articles, or at a later date and time you write into them. One line in the statute is worth knowing: the articles on file are public notice only of the name and the agent details, not of anything else in them. So if you're relying on a clause about who manages the company, the place for it's your operating agreement, which Ohio lets you sign before, at the same time as, or after the filing.
The statutory agent rule most people underestimate
Section 1706.09 says every Ohio LLC must keep an agent for service of process in the state, continuously. The agent can be one of two things:
- A natural person who's a resident of Ohio, listed at their primary residence in the state.
- A business entity with a business address in Ohio, listed at its usual place of business.
A usual place of business has to be customarily open during normal business hours, with someone there who's authorized to accept legal papers. The statute says a post office box doesn't count, whatever services come with it. The Secretary of State won't accept your original articles unless the written appointment and the agent's signed acceptance come with them.
The 30-day trap that cancels Ohio LLCs
This is the insight people miss. If your LLC stops having a statutory agent, or doesn't file a change when the agent's name or address changes, the Secretary of State sends a notice by ordinary mail or email. Under section 1706.09(L), unless you fix it within thirty days of that notice being mailed, or any extra time the office grants, your articles are cancelled without further notice.
That's why the email address you give the state matters. A notice that lands in an old inbox can cost you the company. You can reinstate within two years of the cancellation by filing an application, appointing an agent and paying the $25 fee, as of October 2026.
When your agent quits or moves
If your agent dies, resigns or moves out of Ohio, the law says you must appoint a new one forthwith and file the appointment and acceptance with the Secretary of State. An agent who resigns files a notice and mails you a copy. If the agent changes address, either the agent or the company files a statement with the new address. Each of these agent filings costs $25, as of October 2026.
How to start an LLC in Ohio, step by step
- Pick a name. You can reserve it first for thirty-nine dollars, but you don't have to.
- Choose your statutory agent: an Ohio resident, or a business with a usual place of business in Ohio. If you live in Ohio, you can be your own agent.
- Get the agent's signed written acceptance of the appointment.
- File the articles of organization with the Secretary of State and pay $99, as of October 2026.
- Write and sign your operating agreement.
- Sort out tax registrations. If you'll sell taxable goods, you'll likely need an Ohio vendor's license too.
For the general decisions that come before any state filing, such as member-managed or manager-managed, my guide on how to start an LLC covers them.
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My verdict
Ohio is simple to get into: one short filing and $99, as of October 2026. The real risk sits after formation. Treat your statutory agent like a utility you can't let lapse, keep a working email on file, and replace an agent the day they resign. Do that, and the 30-day cancellation rule never touches you.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Ohio?
The articles of organization cost $99, as of October 2026, under Ohio Revised Code section 111.16 division (F).
What do Ohio articles of organization need to include?
The LLC's name and the statutory agent's name and street address with the agent's signed written acceptance, plus anything else the organizers choose to add.
Can I use a PO box for my Ohio statutory agent?
No. Section 1706.09 says a usual place of business doesn't include a post office box, and an individual agent is listed at their primary residence in Ohio.
Can I be my own statutory agent in Ohio?
Yes, if you're an Ohio resident. The law allows a natural person who's a resident of the state to serve as the agent.
What happens if my Ohio LLC has no statutory agent?
The Secretary of State sends a notice. Unless the default is cured within thirty days of the mailing, or any extra time granted, the articles are cancelled without further notice.
How do I reinstate a cancelled Ohio LLC?
File an application for reinstatement within two years of the cancellation, appoint an agent and pay the $25 fee, as of October 2026.
When does an Ohio LLC legally exist?
When the Secretary of State files the articles of organization, or at a later date and time stated in the articles.
