Ohio Articles of Organization

How to file your Ohio Articles of Organization

The Articles of Organization for an LLC in Ohio is the most important document for starting your business. Let’s walk through each section of the LLC Articles of Organization for OH, so you can accurately complete the document and avoid delays. 

Step 1: Submit Your LLC’s Official Name  

When choosing a name for your LLC, there are specific naming requirements under Ohio law. 

First, the name must include the words “limited liability company” or the abbreviation “L.L.C.,” “LLC,” “limited,” “ltd.,” or “ltd.” Second, the LCC name needs to be distinguishable from other company names on record with the Secretary of State. 

Use our Business Name Checker to see if the name you want is available. In Ohio, you can also reserve a business name for 180 days. This reservation gives you exclusive rights to the name while getting your formation documents together. To do this, you can submit a name reservation form to the Secretary of State. 

Step 2: Choose an Effective Date

By default, an LLC goes into existence when the Articles of Organization are filed with the Secretary of State. You have the option to choose a later date for the LLC to formalize officially. Some business owners select a delayed effective date, such as January, to avoid tax payments or annual filing reports for the current year. 

Step 3: Describe the Purpose of the LLC

It’s optional to provide a purpose clause in your Articles of Organization. Under Ohio law, an LLC may carry on any lawful activity, whether or not for profit. 

Step 4: Provide the Name and Address of Your Registered Agent

An Ohio LLC must have a registered agent (also known as a statutory agent) to accept legal documents on behalf of the company. Your registered agent can be either an Ohio resident or a company with an Ohio business address. The Articles of Organization must include a written acceptance of the registered agent’s appointment. 

If you need a registered agent for your LLC in Ohio, we can provide one through our Registered Agent Service. 

Step 5: Include Authorized Signature

Your State of Ohio Articles of Organization must be signed by at least one person or business entity. This individual or company is known as the LLC organizer. 

Step 6: Attach Any Needed Statements 

If you want to include additional provisions, you can attach a separate statement to the Articles of Organization. To do this, have the extra provisions on a separate document and submit it along with the Articles of Organization. 

Where to file your Ohio Articles of Organization

There are several ways to file your Ohio Articles of Organization. You can file them in person or by mail. You can also file Articles of Organization online with the Secretary of State’s online filing system. 

What are the next steps? 

Once you send in your OH LLC Articles of Organization, there are a few more things to do to get your business up and running. 

Create an Operating Agreement 

An Operating Agreement is a rulebook for LLCs. This vital document explains many aspects of how you want your company to run, including things like the roles and responsibilities of members and managers and how conflicts are to be resolved. Without an Operating Agreement, Ohio law applies by default. The outcome under the law may not be what you or the other LLC members want, so it’s best to write your own Operating Agreement. 

We offer an Operating Agreement Template to help get you started. 

Apply for an EIN

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is how the IRS identifies your business. This nine-digit number is also necessary for specific business matters like applying for a loan, hiring employees, or opening a bank account. 

As you run your LLC, it’s essential to keep your personal and business information and assets separate. With an EIN, you can easily do that. This also helps protect you from personal liability if someone sues your company.

You can apply for an EIN through the IRS’s website or use our Employer ID Number Service. We’ll secure an EIN for you while you take care of other matters.  

We can help! 

Starting an LLC is exciting but can also be daunting. That’s why we’re here. Our products and services are geared toward helping small businesses start, run, and grow. We can help you with anything from setting up your company to managing your finances with our Money App. We can even assist with state reporting requirements when you use our Worry-Free Compliance Service.