How to Start an LLC in Oklahoma

Here are the 7 steps to start a limited liability company (LLC) in Oklahoma

For more information on how to form an LLC in any state, see the article How to Form an LLC.

Creating Oklahoma LLC is Easy

Name Your Oklahoma
LLC
Choose a Registered Agent in Oklahoma
File the Oklahoma
Article of Organization
Get a Certificate From the State
Create an Operating Agreement
Get an EIN
File Annual Certificate

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Creating an LLC in Oklahoma

A limited liability company (LLC) offers many benefits to small businesses, including liability protection and tax advantages.

A Limited Liability Company LLC must be formed in Oklahoma by filing a Articles of Organization with the Oklahoma Secretary of State and paying the $100 filing fee.

However, you’ll first need to choose a name and registered agent for your Oklahoma LLC .

The formation of an LLC may take up to 2 business days online and 7 to 10 business days by mail.

An LLC can be easily formed in Oklahoma. Our step-by-step guide on How to Start an LLC in Oklahoma will help you get started today.

Find out more about LLCs and their benefits in our What is an LLC guide.

Step 1. Choose a Name for Your LLC Oklahoma

Creating an LLC in Oklahoma requires you to choose a business name before you can file the Articles of Organization.

Be sure that your business name complies with the Oklahoma naming requirements and can be searched by potential customers.

Oklahoma law requires an LLC name to contain the words “Limited Liability Company” or “Limited Company,” or the abbreviations “Ltd.,” “LLC,” or “LC.” “Limited” may be abbreviated as “Ltd.” or “LTD,” and “Company” as “Co.”
It is not acceptable for your Oklahoma LLC to have words associated with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
You should avoid using words or abbreviations that may make your LLC Oklahoma
appear to be a different type of entity, such as “LP” or “corporation”.
There may be additional documentation and licensure paperwork required for certain restricted words (bank, lawyer, attorney, credit union, etc.).
Check the state’s business name database to ensure the name you want is not already taken(including businesses no longer in operation)

See a complete list of Oklahoma’ naming rules here.

Check URL availability: You are likely to need a web page even if you don’t think you do. Buying your domain name now will at least give you the option of having one in the future.

It’s a good idea to check the URL availability before finalizing your Oklahoma LLC name.

Recommended: Consider setting up a business phone service after securing a domain name for your Oklahoma LLC to establish credibility and improve customer satisfaction.

Wise business plans offer a variety of features for businesses, including Toll-free numbers, Coverage in US and Canada, team messaging and more. Try our business phone services today.

Is it possible to reserve a business name in Oklahoma?

By filing an Application for Reservation of Name with the Oklahoma Secretary of State, you can reserve a name for 60 days.

The reservation can be submitted either online or by mail through the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s Entity Filing webpage. The filing fee is $10.

What is an LLC?

An LLC stands for a Limited Liability Company. A simple business structure that is more flexible and offers many of the same benefits as a traditional corporation.

For more information, see “What is a Limited Liability Company?”.

Does my business need a DBA or trade name?

In Oklahoma, businesses are not required to register their DBA names. Nonetheless, registering the business name with the state ensures that it will be used exclusively.

It will also reduce legal liability in general.To learn more about DBA, read our “What is a DBA” Guide.

Step 2: Appoint Your Registered Agent in Oklahoma

Your next step in forming an LLC in Oklahoma is to appoint a Registered Agent, an individual or company authorized to receive legal and state mail on your behalf.

All Oklahoma LLCs must have a registered agent. Please include your registered agent’s name and address on your Articles of Organization.

Registered Agent Requirements in Oklahoma

To comply with Oklahoma law, your LLC’s registered agent must be a resident or business entity that maintains a physical address in Oklahoma.

The “registered address” cannot be a P.O. box. It must be a real physical address that can be visited in person.

Further, in Oklahoma, your registered agent need to be agree to perform this role and sign a form confirming their consent. Consent statements should include the following:

Written confirmation that the person designated consents to serve as the LLC’s registered agent
The name of your Oklahoma LLC and the person designated as your registered agent
Registered agent’s signature
Date of execution

Although you do not have to submit this form to the Secretary of State, your business must record it. Learn more about Oklahoma Registered Agents by reading our full guide.

Who can be a Registered Agent?

A Registered Agent must be an Oklahoma resident or a corporation authorized to conduct business in Oklahoma, such as a registered agent service.

You have the option of electing someone from your company, including yourself.

Is it possible to change my registered agent after I form an LLC?

Yes,You can change your Oklahoma registered agent at any time by filing a form with the Oklahoma Secretary of State (SOS) in person, by mail, or online.

You can’t just change an entity’s registered agent in Oklahoma on the annual renewal form; you’ll need to include an amendment form and fee as well.

Step 3.Prepare and File the Articles of Organization

To create a Oklahoma LLC, you will need to file the Articles of Organization of an Oklahoma Limited Liability Company with the Secretary of State. You may apply online, by mail, or in person.

If you choose one of our business formation services, we can handle this step for you.

The following information is typically required to create a Articles of Organization:

Your LLC name and principal place of business.
Name, address, and signature of the LLC’s registered agent
Decide whether your Oklahoma LLC will be member-managed or manager-managed. Indicate the names and addresses of each member and manager.
The reason for forming the LLC in Oklahoma.
Name and address of the LLC’s organizer.
The effective date of the certificate,
The person forming the LLC must sign the Certificate.

Foreign LLCs: You need to file an Oklahoma Application for Registration Foreign Limited Liability Company with the Oklahoma Secretary of State to register a foreign LLC in Oklahoma. This document can be mailed, faxed, delivered in person, or submitted online.

The cost of submitting an Application for Registration is $300 payable to the Oklahoma Secretary of State (Nonrefundable).

How long does it take to form an LLC in Oklahoma?

Mail filings: Approval of mail filings for Oklahoma LLCs takes 3-4 weeks in total. This includes the processing time of 7-10 business days as well as the time your documents are in the mail.

Online filings: Oklahoma LLC online filing approvals take 1-2 business days on average. There is no additional transit time because you can download your documents as soon as they are approved.

How does a member-managed LLC differ from a manager-managed LLC?

In a member-managed LLC, the members (owners) take on the business’s daily responsibilities. Manager-managed LLCs are managed by managers who are elected by the members. Those who manage your LLC will have the authority to do a wide range of tasks-from hiring staff to opening bank accounts.

How do Oklahoma LLCs differ from foreign LLCs?

A domestic LLC is a company that is registered as an LLC in Oklahoma. A foreign LLC is a type of entity that has a physical presence in another state.

Step 4. Get a Certificate From the State

Upon filing your Articles of Organization, the secretary of state will review it. As soon as the Articles of Organization is approved, the LLC becomes a legal entity.

By obtaining this certificate, LLCs will be able to obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN), licenses, and business accounts.

Step 5. Write an Oklahoma LLC Operating Agreement

An operating agreement is a legally-binding document that sets out how your LLC will operate, from the voting process to mergers.

Operating agreements are not required in Oklahoma, but they are an essential part of your business.

Written operating agreements are helpful for different reasons, including resolving disputes over financial agreements and other potential litigation.

The LLC declaration can prove that your LLC is a separate entity, which can help preserve your limited liability.

An operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the possibility of future conflict.

How should an operating agreement be drafted?

The operating agreement should detail the LLC’s overall business purpose and other important matters, such as how the company will be taxed and how new members will be accepted.

Legal agreements can clarify several important concerns, such as:

Who makes decisions for the company, especially those who decide if partners disagree.
Who is responsible for different aspects of the business as well as for strategic decisions.
If a partner leaves the company, what will happen to their ownership interests in the corporation.
The members and their contributions
How profits and losses will be divided
Procedures for admitting new members and removing outgoing members

In Oklahoma, you can include just about anything in your operating agreement, as long as it doesn’t violate the state law or the Articles of Organization.

Should a single-member LLC have an operating agreement?

A single-member LLC in Oklahoma is treated the same as a multi-member LLC for most purposes. In Oklahoma, the steps to form a single-member LLC are the same as those outlined above.

When it comes to filing a tax return, single-member LLCs have more options.

Is my operating agreement required to be filed with the state of Oklahoma?

Although an operating agreement isn’t required in Oklahoma, it’s a good idea to have one anyway.

Step 6. Get an EIN for Your Oklahoma LLC

Basically, an employer identification number (EIN) is a social security number for your LLC in Oklahoma.

To identify your LLC for tax purposes, the Internal Revenue Service assigns a nine-digit Employer Identification Number (EIN). You can apply for your EIN either by mail or online.

An EIN is used for the following purposes:

Manage state and federal taxes
Create a business bank account
Hire employees

Is a Oklahoma LLC required to have an EIN?

An EIN is required for any LLC with employees or more than one member.

What is the best tax structure for my LLC?

A tax classification will be discussed with you when you obtain an EIN. In most cases, LLCs choose the default status.

Some LLCs can reduce their federal tax obligation by electing S corporation status. Consult with a local accountant to find out which option is best for you.

Do you not have an SSN or an ITIN? If you formed an Oklahoma LLC as a foreign national, you may acquire an EIN without having an SSN or ITIN.

You can’t get your EIN online; instead, you must send Form SS-4 to the IRS by mail or fax.

Step 7. File Annual Certificate

The Oklahoma Secretary of State requires all Oklahoma LLCs and foreign LLCs authorized to do business in the state to file an annual certificate.

Each year, by the anniversary date of your LLC’s formation, the annual certificate must be filed.

Fee: $25, payable to the Secretary of State of Oklahoma (Nonrefundable)

Due Date: An annual report is due by the end of the anniversary month of the LLC’s formation.

Late Filings: Oklahoma does not charge late fees if you miss a filing deadline. After 60 days, Oklahoma will revoke your “good standing”. Oklahoma may dissolve or revoke your LLC if you fail to file an annual certificate after three years.

What to do After Forming Your Oklahoma LLC

Keep your personal and business assets separate

Your personal assets (such as your home, car, and other valuables) may be at risk when your Oklahoma LLC is sued if they are mixed with your business accounts.

Here are some steps you can take to protect your LLC in Oklahoma:

1. Create a Business Plan:

If you decide that a Oklahoma LLC will be a good choice for your business in Oklahoma, your next step is to create a business plan (although it is not required), so that you have a roadmap for what you will do and how you will accomplish it.

Free: Business Plans Examples

Do you need help creating a business plan? Check out these six free, proven business plan examples from different industries to help you write your own.

2. Open a Bank Account

As soon as your LLC is officially formed, you should open a business bank account. Why? Keeping separate bank accounts will help you maintain the legal distinction between the LLC and you (the owner).

Because LLCs are limited liability companies, creditors and litigants can’t take your assets.

It is essential for small business owners to partner with the right bank. Find out which banks offer the best business checking accounts, have low or no fees, ATM accessibility, and interest-earning accounts as well as online or mobile banking tools.

3. Obtaining a business credit card:

Allows you to separate personal and business expenses.
Develops your company’s credit history, which can be helpful to raise capital (e.g., small business loans) later.

4. Hiring a business accountant:

It prevents your business from overpaying taxes while preventing penalties, fines, and other costly tax mistakes.
Gives you more time to focus on your growing business by simplifying bookkeeping and payroll.
Manage your business’s funding more effectively. Find out where extra profit or loss can be made

Getting Business Insurance for Your LLC

You can manage risks and grow your LLC with business insurance. Here are the most common types:

General liability insurance protects your business from lawsuits. Most small businesses purchase general liability coverage.
Professional liability insurance protects professionals and businesses from claims of negligence from their clients or customers. Liability insurance typically covers negligence, copyright infringement, personal injury, and more.
Workers’ compensation insurance: Covers illnesses, injuries, and deaths resulting from a worker’s work.

Create Your Business Website

A website is an important step in legitimizing your business. It is essential for all businesses.

You are missing out on a large percentage of potential customers and revenue if you don’t have a website, even if your business is too small or in an offline industry.

More than 90% of consumers begin their search for products and services online. If you don’t have a website that is ready to welcome your customers, then they will simply find your competitors.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

Every respectable firm has a website. When it comes to getting your firm online, size or sector isn’t a concern.
Creating a basic website has never been easier, thanks to website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder. To design a website, you don’t need to hire a web designer or developer.

Oklahoma LLC FAQs

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Oklahoma?

The filing of Articles of Organization with the Oklahoma Secretary of State costs $100.

You can reserve your company name for $10 by submitting an LLC name reservation form. Oklahoma LLCs are also required to file an Annual Certificate every year, which costs $25.

Is it a good idea to form an LLC in Oklahoma?

For small businesses, a limited liability company (LLC) provides liability protection as well as tax advantages.

In Oklahoma, forming a limited liability company (LLC) is easy.

Is it possible to change the name of an LLC in Oklahoma?

To change the name of your Oklahoma LLC, simply file an amendment.

This will alert the Secretary of State to your intentions. In addition, your LLC’s name must be changed in the state’s and government’s records.

What is the procedure for dissolving an LLC in Oklahoma?

To dissolve or terminate your domestic LLC in Oklahoma, send the completed Articles of Dissolution of an Oklahoma Limited Liability Company form, along with the filing fee, to the Oklahoma Secretary of State by mail, in person, or by fax.

Include a cover sheet with all credit card information if you file by fax.

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