Starting an Ohio LLC costs $99, a one-time payment to the Secretary of State when you file your Articles of Organization. This fee doesn't change whether you file online through Business Central or mail your paperwork, and it's the same for both single-member and multi-member LLCs.

Here's the good news about Ohio LLCs: after paying that initial $99, you're done. No annual reports, no franchise taxes, no recurring fees to keep your LLC active. The $99 filing fee has stayed the same since at least 2019, giving you one less compliance headache to worry about.

Current Ohio LLC filing fees

Ohio charges a flat $99 to create a domestic LLC. This price is identical whether you file online through Business Central or mail in your paperwork, with speed upgrades available when time matters.

How Ohio’s filing fees compare to other states

Ohio's $99 filing fee seems average at first glance, but the real value shows up when you calculate long-term costs. While neighboring states like Michigan ($50) and Kentucky ($40) look cheaper initially, they hit you with recurring fees that Ohio completely eliminates.

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Here's what many business owners overlook: Michigan's seemingly "cheap" $50 filing fee actually costs $175 over five years once you add five annual statements at $25 each. Ohio stays at $99 forever because the Secretary of State requires no recurring reports.

Every neighboring state charges maintenance fees. 

• Pennsylvania requires $7 annual reports 

• Indiana demands $50 every two years

• Even Kentucky's modest $15 annual fee adds up over time

Ohio sits below the national filing-fee average while eliminating the ongoing compliance costs that surprise most entrepreneurs. You pay once, then focus on growing your business instead of tracking state deadlines and writing maintenance checks.

Additional Ohio filing fees to consider

While Ohio's $99 formation fee is competitive, several other costs might arise as your business evolves. Knowing these upfront helps you build a realistic budget and avoid surprise expenses.

• Name reservation costs $39 for 180 days of protection if you want to secure your name before filing, with transfer or cancellation fees of $25 each

• Amendments to your Articles cost $50 for changes like updating members, management structure, or business name

• Certificate of Good Standing costs $5 when banks or suppliers need proof your company exists and remains compliant

• Certified copies of filings cost $5 plus $1 per page when lenders or regulators need official documentation

• Reinstatement fees accumulate if your company gets dissolved for non-compliance, requiring back payments plus penalties

• Registered agent costs vary based on your approach. Being your own agent costs nothing if you have a reliable Ohio address during business hours. If privacy matters, commercial services typically charge $99-$300 annually for professional handling and privacy protection.

Local business licenses and industry permits add another layer of costs that vary by city and profession. Most municipalities require licenses ranging from $25 to over $300, depending on your industry and location.

The $99 filing fee is just the foundation. Whether you add name protection, professional agent services, amendments, or certified documents depends on how you plan to run and grow your Ohio business, but understanding each fee upfront keeps your launch budget realistic.

Let Discern handle your Ohio LLC filings

Discern auto-fills every Ohio form using your company profile, completing most filings in minutes. You receive automatic annual report reminders with one-click submissions, a built-in registered agent service for privacy, and clear visibility into your compliance status, eliminating the uncertainty that plagues many business owners.

Ready to take the stress out of LLC compliance? Book a demo with Discern today.