How to Start an LLC in Oklahoma

Why Create an Oklahoma LLC?

The state offers numerous business incentives and tax exemptions and credits, provided your LLC meets specific criteria.

For example, if your business has 500 or fewer employees, you may qualify for the Small Employer Quality Jobs Program. The program offers quarterly incentive payments of up to 5 percent of new taxable payroll for up to seven years.

Most entrepreneurs in the state will find that the fastest and easiest way to start a business is to create an Oklahoma limited liability company (LLC). It's an entity ideal for startups and small- to medium-sized businesses. An LLC gives you the advantages and protections that larger Oklahoma corporations benefit from, but with simplified rules and regulations.

1

Complete an Oklahoma LLC Search and Choose a Unique Business Name

You’ll need to choose a distinctive and original name for your LLC that’s not used by any other business in the state. If you’re having trouble coming up with a name, try using Incfile’s Business Name Generator to brainstorm ideas. You'll need to follow a few naming rules, which you can read about in detail on the Oklahoma Business Names page.

Once you’ve chosen a name, you’ll need to make sure it’s available in Oklahoma. To find out whether another company in the state is using your chosen business name, use our tool to do a business name search. You can also carry out a name search on the Oklahoma Secretary of State website.

2

Provide an Official Business Address

Whether you want to run your business from an office building, a home (if the company is run from a residence) or any other physical location, every LLC in Oklahoma must have a designated street address. It's allowed to be outside the state, but it cannot be a P.O. Box.

3

Assign a Registered Agent

A person or business who receives official legal and tax correspondence and has responsibility for filing reports with the Oklahoma Secretary of State is called a Registered Agent. Every LLC in Oklahoma is required to have a Registered Agent.

This position is official and can be filled by you, another manager in the business or a dedicated Registered Agent service. If your Oklahoma Registered Agent is a person, they must reside and have a physical street address in Oklahoma, and they must be present to receive important documents for your company during business hours. In Oklahoma, you designate your Registered Agent when you file your Articles of Organization and formally create your business.

All of Incfile's packages include a Registered Agent service that is free for the first year and just $119 per year afterward. You'll be able to log in to our dashboard where you can easily view any document we've received on your behalf.

4

File Your Articles of Organization with the Oklahoma Secretary of State

Once you have all the information you need for your Oklahoma LLC, you’ll need to file a form with the Oklahoma Secretary of State to create your Articles of Organization and officially form your LLC.

Your Oklahoma Articles of Organization can be filed online with the Oklahoma Secretary of State, you can mail a form to the Office of the Secretary of State, or you can have Incfile do it on your behalf. The Oklahoma LLC filing fee is $100.

You only need to file your Oklahoma Articles of Organization once, but every year after, you must file an annual report. Oklahoma refers to this report as an annual certificate. We can remind you to do this, or we can handle the paperwork on your behalf.

What are the fees and requirements to form a business in Oklahoma?

5

Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service

To identify your business to the IRS, you’ll need an EIN. You use this number when filing and paying taxes or when submitting payroll information and payments for your employees, or if you want to open a business bank account. You can obtain one directly from the IRS, or Incfile can get one for you as part of the Oklahoma LLC formation process.

6

Create an Operating Agreement

An LLC Operating Agreement is a sort of "instruction manual" that explains how you'll run your business and has details on how decisions will be made, how the business is divided among members and what happens if a member leaves the company.

Some states require that a company have this agreement in place. You're not legally required to have an Oklahoma LLC Operating Agreement in place, but it’s a good idea to have one nonetheless.

Other Oklahoma LLC Types

Foreign LLC

If your business is already operating in another state and expanding to Oklahoma — or vice versa — you’ll need to form a Foreign LLC.

Learn more about Oklahoma Foreign LLC registration.

Professional LLC

Different from professional corporations, Professional Limited Liability Companies (PLLCs) typically have licensing requirements applicable to certain fields, such as law and medicine.

To form an Oklahoma PLLC, you must file a form to create your Articles of Organization and pay a fee of $100.

Learn more about PLLC vs. LLC and which one may be right for your business.

Series LLC

If you want to manage multiple LLCs under one umbrella LLC, you’ll need to create a Series LLC. To do so, you'll simply indicate that intention in your Oklahoma Articles of Organization when you file the form.

Decide whether an Oklahoma Series LLC is right for your business.

Helpful Resources from the State of Oklahoma