Oklahoma LLC costs: summary
Here is a summary of your LLC costs:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| State filing fee (Articles of Organization) | $100 |
| Card service charge (4%) | $4 |
| Registered agent service (optional; an agent is required) | $50–$300 / yr |
| Trade name report (required if you do business under another name) | $25 |
| Operating Agreement (optional) | $0–$1,000 |
| Franchise tax | None (repealed from tax year 2024) |
| Annual Certificate | $25 / yr |
The mandatory costs involved when you form an LLC in Oklahoma are the upfront fee for filing the Articles of Organization ($100, plus a 4% card service charge ($104 total) if you pay by card; $100 by mailed check) and $25 each year for the Annual Certificate, due on your LLC’s anniversary date.
The fees to establish an LLC vary from state to state. The costs can also differ depending on the municipality you choose to call your business home due to permits and licensing fees. Here, we’ll walk you through the costs in Oklahoma.
One-time Oklahoma LLC costs
Articles of organization : $100 (mandatory)
Articles of organization list basic information about your business, such as your physical address, the name and address of a registered agent, and a signature. The cost is $100 to file, plus an additional $25 if filing in person for same-day service.
Card service charge: $4
The Secretary of State adds a 4% service charge when you pay by credit card, online or in person, bringing the total to $104. Paying by check by mail avoids it.
Name reservation: $10 (optional)
One of the first things you’ll want to do is decide on the formal name and, if desired, a trade name for your business. The Oklahoma secretary of state business search is free, but we do need to mention the option of reserving a business name ($10, which holds the name for 60 days) and filing a trade name report will both cost money.
You’ll establish a formal name when you file your paperwork to establish the LLC in Oklahoma. However, many businesses want to use a different name as their daily brand.
DBA / trade name: $25 (required if you use another name)
In that case, you’ll need a trade name, which is Oklahoma’s term for this kind of name. The trade name allows you to use a name that’s not your legal name on signage, in advertising, and in other public-facing instances. In many states, the process is called selecting a “doing business as” (DBA) name. In Oklahoma, a trade name report is required if you do business under another name.
To do so, you’ll want to search the Secretary of State’s records to ensure your desired name is not already taken. Then, you can register your Oklahoma DBA name by filing a trade name report for a $25 fee.
Operating agreement: $0 to $1,000 (optional)
Oklahoma doesn’t require a written operating agreement or a filing; the LLC Act also recognizes oral and implied agreements. A written one is still a good idea, especially if you have partners in the LLC.
The operating agreement is a binding legal document that outlines foundational principles for the LLC. Typically, an operating agreement includes sections on:
- Organization of the LLC
- Management, whether by a manager or members
- Voting rights
- Capital distribution
- Profit and loss distribution
- Tax management
- Dissolution
By having an operating agreement in place, disputes can be minimized and guided by the document.
If you create the LLC operating agreement Oklahoma yourself, there is no cost. You can also opt to use a service to create your operating agreement or hire a lawyer, with fees ranging up to $1,000.
Annual and ongoing Oklahoma LLC costs
In addition to the fees listed above, some other fees are required to do business in the state.
Annual certificate: $25 (mandatory)
LLCs in Oklahoma are required to file an annual certificate each year, which serves the same purpose as an annual report in other states. The filing fee is $25 and the Oklahoma annual certificate LLC includes basic information about the business, including its name, primary address, whether it’s active, and an email address for the primary contact.
Registered agent service: $50 to $300 per year
A registered agent is a person or entity that receives essential documents, including those issued by the state and any related to a lawsuit you’re a party to. The Oklahoma registered agent must meet specific qualifications: be an Oklahoma resident or a business entity authorized in Oklahoma, have a street address in Oklahoma, and be available to receive documents within regular working hours.
It’s an option to act as your registered agent. However, you must be available daily in the office to receive documents. You also will receive sensitive documents in front of employees and customers.
For those reasons, many businesses opt instead to use a service to act as a registered agent. Using a registered agent service frees you up to focus on other business priorities, confident that the service will ensure that documents are received and delivered to you discreetly.
The cost of acting as your registered agent is nothing. Registered agent services usually cost $50–$300 per year. Tailor Brands’ registered agent service costs $199 per year.
Franchise tax (no longer relevant)
Through tax year 2023, Oklahoma charged corporations an annual franchise tax ($1.25 per $1,000 of capital, up to $20,000). Businesses had to file annually, and there were penalties for filing late. Entities with a tax liability of $250 or less did not need to pay the tax. LLCs taxed as partnerships or sole proprietorships didn’t pay it.
In 2023 the state passed H.B. 1039X, which ended the franchise tax starting with tax year 2024.
Other possible costs
Foreign LLC registration: $300
If your LLC was formed in another state and you want to register it in Oklahoma, you must file the appropriate Foreign LLC form for $300.
Business licenses & permits: varies (depends on your business)
Depending on your business type, you may be required to pay various license and permitting fees. Here are a few of the most common Oklahoma business licenses and permits:
- Sales tax permit. If you sell taxable goods or services, you need a sales tax permit from the Oklahoma Tax Commission. It costs $20, plus $10 for each additional location, and is valid for 3 years. Oklahoma has no general state business license, but cities may require local licenses.
- Liquor License. Fees vary by license type; check with the Oklahoma ABLE Commission.
- Food License. Prices vary depending on the type of food business you run. For example, a food service establishment pays a $425 plan review fee, a $425 initial license fee, and a $335 annual renewal fee to the Oklahoma State Department of Health. Your city may charge its own fees.
Certificates and certified copies (optional)
If you need an official certificate or a stamped copy of your formation documents, expect small fees (a certificate is $10 under state law).
The expenses you can write off
Many formation costs can be deducted or amortized as startup and organizational costs (the IRS allows up to $5,000 of each in the first year). Check with a tax professional. Costs that may qualify include:
- Articles of organization
- DBA fees
- Operating agreement costs
- Registered agent costs
- Attorney fees
Oklahoma LLC state fees for amendments and foreign LLCs
The following fees are taken from Oklahoma’s Secretary of State site and state law (18 O.S. § 2055, as amended in November 2024):
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Amended Certificate of Registration (LLC) | $100 |
| Amended Certificate of Registration with mailing address change only (LLC) | $10 |
| Annual Certificates (Domestic/Foreign LLC) | $25 |
| Application for Withdrawal (Foreign LLC) | $100 |
| Articles of Amendment (Oklahoma LLC) | $100 |
| Articles of Consolidation (Oklahoma LLC) | $100 |
| Articles of Correction (Oklahoma LLC) | $100 |
| Articles of Dissolution (Oklahoma LLC) | $50 |
| Articles of Merger (Oklahoma LLC) | $100 |
| Articles of Organization (Oklahoma LLC) | $100 |
| Certificate of Correction (Foreign LLC) | $100 |
| Certificate of Registration (Foreign LLC) | $300 |
| Change of registered agent or principal office | $25 |
| Name reservation (60 days) | $10 |
| Restated Articles of Organization (Oklahoma LLC) | $50 |
Cost-saving tips
- Reserve your name only if necessary.
- File online for efficiency and convenience.
- Serve as your own registered agent to reduce ongoing costs.
- Prepare your Operating Agreement yourself to save money.
- Use formation services like Tailor Brands to bundle services if helpful.
Conclusion
There are many costs your LLC may incur in Oklahoma; understanding the different fees, deadlines and costs can be a lot to manage on your own.
Tailor Brands offers services to assist in the preparation and filing.
FAQ
The initial filing fee for an Oklahoma LLC is $100, plus a 4% card service charge ($104 total), when submitting the Articles of Organization. A mailed check pays $100.
Oklahoma LLCs pay a $25 Annual Certificate fee each year by their anniversary date.
Registered agent services in Oklahoma typically range from $50 to $300 per year, though you may act as your own agent.
You can reserve a business name for $10 (it holds the name for 60 days), and same-day in-person filing costs an extra $25 per document.
Formation fees are due at filing and the annual fee is due by your anniversary date; failure to file within 60 days results in loss of good standing.