How to Get an LLC in Oklahoma
Located in the south-central United States, Oklahoma is a state with a great deal of natural beauty and a history closely-entwined with Native American culture. The Sooner State has a diverse economy with natural resources, agriculture, energy, technology and aviation all being major sectors.
If you want to start your own business in Oklahoma, one of the best ways to do so is by forming an Oklahoma LLC with the secretary of state. Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) are a business entity designed for startups and small- and medium-sized businesses. Filing for an Oklahoma LLC gives you many of the protections and advantages of larger corporations without all the rules, regulations and compliance issues common to larger business entities.
Briefly, the benefits of starting an Oklahoma LLC include:
- Separating and limiting your personal liability from your business liability and debts
- Quick and simple filing, management, compliance, regulation and administration of your Oklahoma LLC
- Easy tax filing and potential advantages for your tax treatment
Learn more about the benefits of the LLC business structure here.
Six Quick Steps for Oklahoma LLC Filing
We’ve got lots of useful information on starting a business in OK. On this page you’ll find the basic steps of how to start an Oklahoma LLC, with more in-depth content throughout the rest of our guide.
First, you need to gather basic information about your LLC, including the names and addresses of the managers or members. The LLC members are typically the people who own and run the business. They are also the ones who can take profits out of the business to pay themselves.
You will need a distinctive and original name for your Oklahoma LLC that’s not used by any other business in OK. To find out if another company is using your chosen business name, carry out an Oklahoma business entity name search on the OK Secretary of State website.
There are a few rules you’ll need to follow when choosing an LLC name. You can find out more in our guide to searching for and naming your Oklahoma LLC.
Learn about Oklahoma LLC business naming rules.
Every Oklahoma LLC must have a designated street address. That could be your home address (if you’re running the company from your residence), your company’s office building or any physical address of your preference. The address can be outside the state of Oklahoma, but it cannot be a P.O. Box.
Every OK LLC must have a “Registered Agent.” This is an official position; the Registered Agent is someone who receives official legal and tax correspondence and has responsibility for filing reports with the Oklahoma Secretary of State.
This position can be filled by you, another manager in the business or a dedicated Registered Agent service. Your OK Registered Agent must have a physical street address in Oklahoma and must be present to receive important documents for your company during business hours.
At Incfile, all of our packages include an Oklahoma Registered Agent service that is free for the first year and just $119 per year afterward. We also have a dashboard where you can log in and easily view any document your Registered Agent has received on your behalf.
Learn more about Oklahoma Registered Agents.
You will need an EIN to identify your business to the IRS. You use this number when filing and paying taxes or when submitting payroll information and payments for your employees. You can obtain one directly from the IRS, or we can get one for you as part of the Oklahoma LLC business formation process.
Once you've gathered all the information for your Oklahoma LLC, you’ll need to file a formal document with the OK Secretary of State. This document is known as your “Articles of Organization,” and filing the document establishes your Oklahoma business registration. Here’s what is typically included in an Oklahoma LLC filing:
- Your business name and address
- Your business email address
- Details of your Registered Agent
- How long the business will exist (can be perpetual)
- Name of the incorporator
You can file your Oklahoma LLC Articles of Organization online, mail in a form or have Incfile do it on your behalf. There is a fee to file and start an LLC in Oklahoma. You only need to file your Articles of Organization once.
Form your LLC now.
Review Information from the Oklahoma Secretary of State
The Oklahoma Secretary of State has plenty of information on forming and running a business in Oklahoma. Check out the following resources:
Special Types of Oklahoma LLCs
A regular Oklahoma LLC is suitable for most business needs, but you also have a few other options to incorporate a special type of LLC.
In Oklahoma, you have the option to set up a “Series LLC” — these are specialized LLCs designed to allow you to manage multiple separate LLCs under one master, umbrella LLC. These can be very useful if you don’t want to set up a separate Oklahoma LLC for every individual business you run.
Decide if an Oklahoma Series LLC is right for your new business.
Some states, including Oklahoma, allow certain occupations to form “Professional LLCs.” These types of businesses typically have special requirements and licensing. Oklahoma does not specifically list the professions that can create a professional LLC.
If your business is already operating in another state and expanding to Oklahoma, you’ll need to form a foreign LLC.
More information on Oklahoma filing and licensing requirements here.
What to Do After Forming Your Oklahoma LLC
Want to know your next steps after creating a new LLC in Oklahoma? We’ve got you covered. Here’s our guide to understanding your ongoing requirements, setting up new bank accounts, protecting your business name, getting accounting in place and more.
Detailed Information for Your Oklahoma LLC
You’ll find plenty more insight and guidance on the other pages of this guide, including:
Naming Your Oklahoma LLC
How to search the Oklahoma business registry of the OK Secretary of State and find the right name. Includes information on naming rules, fictitious names, reserving an Oklahoma LLC name and more.
Oklahoma Registered Agents for Your LLC
How to appoint an Oklahoma Registered Agent to your new LLC or change to a different Registered Agent. Includes information on Registered Agent rules and searching for Oklahoma Registered Agents.
Fees and Requirements for Oklahoma LLCs
How to understand the various fees you’ll need to pay and the requirements you’ll need to meet for both federal and Oklahoma rules. Includes details of Employee Identification Numbers (EINs), Oklahoma and federal business licenses, Oklahoma annual reports and more.
Federal, State, Sales and Other Taxes for Your Oklahoma LLC
How to understand the various taxes you will need to pay to the federal and Oklahoma government. Includes details of federal taxes like income tax and self-employment tax, and Oklahoma taxes like sales tax and income tax.
