How to Form an Ohio LLC

Start an LLC in Ohio in 5 Simple Steps

Step 1: Give Your Ohio LLC a Name
Step 2: Select a Statutory Agent
Step 3: Submit the Articles of Organization; Step 4: Draft an Operating Agreement
Step 5: Obtain an EIN

It is simple to form an LLC in Ohio.

To form an Ohio LLC, submit the Articles of Organization to the Ohio Secretary of State, which costs $99. You may apply both online and by mail. The Articles of Organization are the legally binding documents that establish your Ohio limited liability corporation.

STEP 1: Give Your Ohio LLC a Name

The first and most significant step in forming an Ohio LLC is deciding on a name. Make certain that the name you pick conforms with Ohio naming rules and is readily searched by prospective customers.

1. Follow the naming conventions:

The word “limited liability corporation” or one of its acronyms must be in your name (LLC or L.L.C.).
Your LLC’s name cannot include terms that may be confused with a government organization (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
Restricted terms (e.g., bank, attorney, university) may need extra documentation and the participation of a licensed professional, such as a doctor or lawyer, in your LLC.
Your name must be distinct from any existing Ohio limited liability business, corporation, limited partnership, or trade name.

2. Does the name exist in Ohio? Do a name search on the State of Ohio’s website to ensure that the name you choose isn’t already used.

3. Is the URL accessible? We suggest checking online to see whether your company name is accessible as a web domain. Even if you don’t intend to create a company website right away, you may wish to purchase the URL to prevent others from doing so.

STEP 2: Select an Ohio Statutory Agent

For your LLC, you must designate an Ohio statutory agent. In other states, a statutory agent is known as a registered agent.

What exactly is a statutory agent? A statutory agent is a person or corporate organization that receives vital tax forms, legal papers, lawsuit notices, and formal government communication on your behalf. Consider your statutory agent to be your company’s point of contact with the state.

Who is eligible to be a statutory agent? A statutory agent must be an Ohio resident or a company, such as a registered agent service, that is permitted to do business in Ohio. You may choose someone from your organization, even yourself.

STEP 3: Submit the Articles of Organization for the Ohio LLC.

You must complete Form 610 – Articles of Organization with the Ohio Secretary of State to register your Ohio LLC. You may apply both online and by mail.

STEP 4: Draft an Operating Agreement for an Ohio LLC.

Although an operating agreement is not necessary in Ohio, it is a good idea to have one.

What exactly is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document that outlines an LLC’s ownership and running processes.

Why are operating agreements necessary? A detailed operating agreement guarantees that all firm owners are on the same page and decreases the likelihood of future disagreement.

STEP 5: Obtain an EIN from the State of Ohio.

What exactly is an EIN? EIN is an acronym that stands for Employer Identification Number. EINs are nine-digit numbers provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to companies to assist them be identified for tax reasons. It is basically a business’s Social Security Number.

An EIN is also known as a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or a Federal Tax Identification Number (FTIN) (FTIN).

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN is necessary in order to:

Establish a business bank account.
Filing and managing federal and state income taxes
Employ people

What if my single proprietorship already has an EIN? When transitioning a sole proprietorship to an LLC, the IRS demands a new EIN.

Where can I get an EIN? The IRS will provide you an EIN for free. Obtaining an EIN is a simple procedure that may be completed online or by mail.