Starting an LLC in Ohio: what you should know first

Filing a Ohio LLC costs $99. There is no annual report afterwards. Our pick is Mainstay Filing; $696 covers three years.

By kind of owner

Side hustle: Quiet-year cost: $199 in year 2 with Mainstay Filing, no state report.
Online business: Required registered agent. The address has to be the agent's home or usual place of business in Ohio. P.O. boxes and commercial mail receiving agencies are not accepted.
Startup: Filing: Articles of Organization (610) with the Ohio Secretary of State. Write the operating agreement before you open the bank account.
First-time owner: Nothing to file yearly.

Best LLC formation service in Ohio for a first-time owner?

Mainstay Filing: $298 in year 1 including the $99 filing fee, $199 in year 2.

Ohio Rev. Code § 1706.16 (Ohio Revised Limited Liability Company Act — articles of organization); fee set by ORC § 111.16(F) (multira state research spine): codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1706.16, checked August 12, 2026
Ohio formation fee: Filing fee, official source read 2026-10-01: codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-111.16, checked October 1, 2026
Ohio Secretary of State (multira state research spine): www.ohiosos.gov/business/ohio-business-roadmap/frequently-asked-questions, checked August 12, 2026
Ohio Secretary of State (multira state research spine): www.ohiosos.gov/business/ohio-business-roadmap/keeping-your-business-up-to-date, checked August 12, 2026
Ohio report due date (multira state research spine, due dates verified 714/714): codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/chapter-1706, checked August 12, 2026
Ohio registered agent statute (Ohio Rev. Code § 1706.09): codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1706.09, checked October 20, 2026