Author: FFP Ai Bot

Illustration: The Fostoria Free Press.

TIFFIN- A limited liability company, or LLC, is one of the most common ways small business owners in Seneca County set up a business. In Ohio, an LLC is created by filing with the Ohio Secretary of State, not with the county. Here is how to do it, and what to handle locally afterward.

Step 1: Choose a name that meets Ohio’s rules

Ohio law sets naming rules for LLCs. Under Ohio Revised Code 1706.07, the name must contain the words “limited liability company” or one of these abbreviations: “L.L.C.,” “LLC,” “limited,” “ltd.,” or “ltd”. The name also generally has to be distinguishable from names already on file with the Secretary of State. You can search existing names through the Secretary of State’s business search before you file.

If you are not ready to file but want to hold a name, the Secretary of State’s fee schedule lists a name reservation filing for $39.

Step 2: Pick a statutory agent

Every Ohio LLC must have someone in Ohio who can receive legal papers on its behalf. Ohio Revised Code 1706.09 says an LLC must continuously maintain an agent in the state for service of process. The agent can be you, another person or a company that provides agent services. If the agent changes later, the Secretary of State lists a $25 Statutory Agent Update filing.

Step 3: File Articles of Organization

According to the Ohio Secretary of State’s filing forms and fee schedule, a domestic LLC is formed by filing Articles of Organization, Form 610, with a fee of $99. The office encourages filing online through Ohio Business Central, which it says has a low rejection rate, faster processing and is available 24 hours a day. A paper PDF form is also available.

Have this information ready:

• The LLC’s name
• Your statutory agent’s name and Ohio address, and the agent’s acceptance
• Contact information for the person filing
• A payment method for the $99 fee

Questions about a filing can go to the Secretary of State’s business services line, which the office lists as 614-466-3910.

Video: “How to Start a Business in Ohio” from the Ohio Secretary of State YouTube channel.

Other Secretary of State fees to know

• Certificate of Amendment or Restatement (Form 611): $50
• Certificate of Dissolution (Form 616): $50
• Reinstatement and Appointment of Agent: $25
• Trade name or fictitious name registration: $39. This is a separate filing if your LLC will do business under a different name.
• Copy or certificate request: $5

An LLC formed in another state that wants to do business in Ohio files a Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company (Form 617), which also costs $99.

Step 4: After the state approves your LLC

The Secretary of State’s guidance for new businesses lists the next steps:

1. Get an EIN from the IRS.
2. Open a business bank account using the EIN.
3. Register with the Ohio Department of Taxation for any state taxes that apply.

Then handle the local pieces in Seneca County:

• Vendor’s license: If you will collect sales tax, the Seneca County Auditor issues county vendor’s licenses at 109 S. Washington St., Suite 2206, Tiffin, phone 419-447-0692. The auditor’s page notes the state fee rose to $50 in April 2025.
• Municipal income tax: Cities such as Fostoria and Tiffin have their own income taxes. Fostoria’s rate is 2%, and the city files through RITA, according to the city’s tax FAQ.
• Zoning: Check local zoning before you lease space or run a business from home. In Fostoria, a Home Occupation Permit is required for a home-based business, and the city fee schedule lists $105.
• Free advising: The Ohio Small Business Development Center at Terra State Community College offers no-cost advising for Seneca County businesses, according to Develop Seneca County.

Is an LLC right for you?

An LLC is a common choice, but it is not the only one. Sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations each have different tax and liability effects. For advice on your situation, talk with an accountant or attorney, or schedule a free session with the SBDC.

Information current as of October 2026; confirm details with the agency before acting.

Sources

Ohio Revised Code 1706.07 and 1706.09 (codes.ohio.gov)
Ohio Secretary of State, Filing Forms and Fee Schedule and Starting a Business pages (ohiosos.gov)
Seneca County Auditor, Vendor’s License page
City of Fostoria, Income Tax FAQ and Zoning Fees schedule
Develop Seneca County, Small Business Resources page
Ohio Secretary of State YouTube video “How to Start a Business in Ohio”