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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Oklahoma, you file Articles of Organization with the Oklahoma

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<v Dan>Secretary of State, and the fee is $100, or $104 if you pay online by card.

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<v Maya>Why the extra four dollars?

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<v Dan>Card payments carry a 4% service charge.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Oklahoma for 2026, six steps with every cost, and the three best ways to have

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<v Maya>it filed for you. What's first?

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<v Dan>The name needs limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation like

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<v Dan>LLC or LC.

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<v Maya>And it can't match someone else's?

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<v Dan>It has to be distinguishable from names already on record.

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<v Dan>The Secretary of State has a free name availability tool.

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<v Maya>Can I hold a name for later?

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<v Dan>A reservation lasts 60 days, and it's $10.

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<v Maya>Who can be my agent in Oklahoma?

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<v Dan>An Oklahoma resident, a business authorized in Oklahoma, or the LLC itself.

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<v Maya>The LLC itself?

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<v Dan>Yes, in Oklahoma that's allowed.

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<v Dan>The address has to be an Oklahoma street address, with an office open during regular

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<v Dan>business hours. No P.O. boxes.

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<v Maya>Is the address private?

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<v Dan>No, it's public, which is why many owners hire a commercial agent.

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<v Maya>I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

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<v Dan>Good to meet you, Maya. If you change agents later, that's $25.

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<v Maya>How do I file?

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<v Dan>On the Secretary of State's website.

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<v Dan>The fee is $100, and a card adds the 4% service charge, so $104.

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<v Maya>What if I want it in person?

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<v Dan>In person, same day, costs $25 more.

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<v Maya>What do the Articles ask for?

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<v Dan>The name, the principal place of business, an email address, the registered agent,

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<v Dan>and how long the LLC will last.

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<v Maya>Why does the email matter?

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<v Dan>The annual certificate notice goes only to that address.

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<v Dan>So use one you check.

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<v Maya>Does Oklahoma collect my operating agreement?

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<v Dan>No. It isn't filed, and there's no state fee.

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<v Maya>What should it cover?

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<v Dan>Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>And in writing?

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<v Dan>Yes. Keep it with your records.

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<v Maya>What's the federal step?

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<v Dan>An EIN. Apply free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state files your Articles.

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<v Maya>What do I need ready?

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<v Dan>The Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge.

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<v Dan>If the online application is approved, the number comes right away.

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<v Maya>And the ownership report?

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<v Dan>Skip it. FinCEN no longer requires one from U.S.

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>What does Oklahoma ask for after I form?

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<v Dan>An annual certificate, which is Oklahoma's version of an annual report.

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<v Dan>You file it every year on the anniversary of your registration.

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<v Maya>What's the cost?

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<v Dan>$25, or $26 online by card.

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<v Maya>And if I'm late?

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<v Dan>More than 60 days late, and the LLC is no longer in good standing.

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<v Maya>Give me the do-it-yourself math.

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<v Dan>$100 to file the Articles, or $104 by card online.

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<v Dan>Then $25 a year for the annual certificate.

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<v Dan>The EIN is free.

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<v Maya>So year one is $104.

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<v Dan>At most, if you pay by card online.

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<v Dan>Year two onward is $25, or $26 by card.

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<v Maya>And the in-person option?

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<v Dan>$25 more, so $125 for the Articles with same-day service.

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<v Maya>Walk me through the choices.

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<v Dan>Online by card is $104, with the 4% charge.

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<v Dan>Online or by mail without a card is $100.

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<v Maya>And walking it in?

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<v Dan>Same day, $25 more than the base fee.

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<v Maya>When would that make sense?

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<v Dan>If you need the filing done today.

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<v Dan>Otherwise the $100 route is the lowest of the three.

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<v Maya>Does the choice affect the annual certificate?

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<v Dan>Only in how you pay. It's $25, or $26 by card.

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<v Maya>Let me go back to the agent. The LLC can be its own?

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<v Dan>Yes, as long as it keeps an Oklahoma street address and an office open during

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<v Dan>regular business hours.

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<v Maya>What's the catch?

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<v Dan>Your address goes on the public record, and you have to be there during those hours.

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<v Maya>And a commercial agent?

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<v Dan>They handle that for you. Many owners prefer it.

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<v Maya>What does switching cost?

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<v Dan>$25.

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<v Maya>Is the $10 reservation worth it?

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<v Dan>If you're not ready to file, yes.

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<v Dan>It holds the name for 60 days.

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<v Maya>Only sixty? That's shorter than some states.

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<v Dan>It is, so don't reserve it too early.

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<v Dan>Line up your agent and your Articles first.

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<v Maya>And if I'm ready now?

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<v Dan>Skip it. Run the name availability tool, then file the Articles.

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<v Maya>Let me total the certificate. Five years of it?

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<v Dan>$25 a year is $125. By card it's $26 a year, so

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<v Dan>$130.

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<v Maya>And the Articles on top?

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<v Dan>$100, or $104 by card. So five years, all in, runs

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<v Dan>$225 at the lowest, or $234 by card.

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<v Maya>And the EIN?

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<v Dan>Free, and so is the operating agreement, apart from your own time.

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<v Maya>How do I not slip up on the certificate?

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<v Dan>Remember it follows your anniversary, not a fixed date for everyone.

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<v Maya>So I mark my registration date.

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<v Dan>Yes. And watch the email you gave on the Articles, because that's the only place the

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<v Dan>notice goes.

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<v Maya>And the cost of waiting?

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<v Dan>Past 60 days late, the LLC stops being in good standing.

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<v Maya>Give me the order of operations.

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<v Dan>Search the name. Choose your agent.

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<v Dan>File the Articles for $100, or $104 by card.

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<v Dan>Write your operating agreement.

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<v Maya>And then?

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<v Dan>Get your EIN, and put your anniversary on the calendar for the $25 annual

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<v Dan>certificate.

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<v Maya>What if I'd rather have someone else handle it?

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<v Dan>Here are the three best ways to file in Oklahoma.

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<v Dan>Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state

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<v Dan>fee. With the $104 state fee, checkout comes to $303.

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<v Maya>What's included?

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<v Dan>Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year.

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<v Dan>It renews at the same $199.

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<v Maya>And the annual certificate?

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<v Dan>Mainstay files it on time each year.

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<v Dan>You pay only the $25 state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>OK Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199

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<v Dan>plus the state fee, also $303 at checkout.

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<v Dan>The first year of agent service is free, then $99 a year.

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<v Maya>And number three?

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<v Dan>Oklahoma Registered Agent.co. Same offer.

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a

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<v Dan>year.

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<v Maya>How should I choose?

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<v Dan>If you'll file your own annual certificate, numbers two and three cost less from

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<v Dan>year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone.

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<v Dan>The $25 state fee is the same either way.

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<v Maya>Give me the three-year view.

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<v Dan>Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597.

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<v Dan>Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next

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<v Dan>two years, for $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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<v Dan>Yes. With Mainstay, that gap covers your annual certificate being filed on time for

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<v Dan>you.

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<v Maya>Can you recap?

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent at an Oklahoma street address,

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<v Dan>file the Articles for $100, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and

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<v Dan>file your $25 annual certificate every year.

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<v Maya>The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes.

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<v Maya>Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new

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<v Maya>Oklahoma LLC.