Incorporate in Oklahoma
Interested in starting an Oklahoma corporation? Incorporating in Oklahoma typically involves the following steps:
- Submitting an Oklahoma Certificate of Incorporation
- Holding an organizational meeting
- Obtaining an EIN from the IRS
- Filing a Beneficial Ownership Information Report
- Applying for Oklahoma permits and licenses
Ready to get started? At Oklahoma Registered Agent LLC, we can help. With our total formation package, we help Oklahoma businesses incorporate and launch their business presence (website, email, phone) every day.
In addition to creating and submitting your Certificate of Incorporation, we give you a year of registered agent service, custom documents, one free year of domain registry, plus a website, SSL, email address, and phone line (all free for 90 days) for only $204, including filing fees!
Your Oklahoma Certificate of Incorporation
Curious about what information is required for the Oklahoma Certificate of Incorporation? You’ll need to make some important decisions, such as what to name your company and how many shares to authorize.
- CORPORATION NAME
Oklahoma corporations are required to include one of the following words or abbreviations in their name: Association, Company (Co.), Corporation (Corp.), Club, Foundation, Fund, Incorporated (Inc.), Institute, Society, Union, Syndicate, or Limited (Ltd.). Use the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s Name Availability Search to ensure availability.
- EFFECTIVE DATE
Online filings also request an effective date. This is the date that your corporation will begin its existence. If you choose “Filing Date,” your business will be created upon your filing’s approval. If you choose “Specify Date,” you can choose a future effective date within 90 days of filing.
- REGISTERED AGENT AND REGISTERED OFFICE
Oklahoma Statute §Title 18, Section 1022 states that corporations must have and maintain an Oklahoma registered agent. Your registered agent performs an important job: accepting service of process and official notifications on behalf of your Oklahoma corporation. The registered office is the street address in Oklahoma where the registered agent is regularly available.Your registered agent can be an individual Oklahoma resident or a business like ours. At Oklahoma Registered Agent LLC, we provide expert registered agent service, ensuring you never have to sort through junk mail or miss receipt of a critical document. We can provide registered agent service for your Oklahoma corporation for just $49 a year—with renewals always at the same low rate!
- EMAIL ADDRESS
This is the email address that the state will use for official notifications.
- DURATION
Your Oklahoma corporation’s duration is how long it will exist. Most corporations are perpetual (meaning they will continue indefinitely). It is possible, however, to create a “Non-Perpetual” corporation. In this case, you’ll choose a date of expiration or a specific number of years for your corporation to exist.
- NATURE OF THE BUSINESS OR PURPOSE
The purpose of your business is the reason it exists. Oklahoma only requires a general purpose, so many corporations simply write that their purpose is “to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the general corporation law of Oklahoma.” You may also include a more specific purpose if you’d like, but this is optional.
- SHARES
You’re required to authorize (create) shares of stock for your Oklahoma corporation. You must authorize at least one share. You can also designate types of shares, such as common or preferred stock. You’re also required to list the par value (initial price) per share. The par value that you choose can affect your Oklahoma Certificate of Incorporation filing fee. The filing fee is 1/10 of 1% of your total authorized capital (the par value of all your shares together).What does this mean for you? Because the minimum filing fee is $50, this means your filing fee would increase by a $1 for every $1000 of total authorized capital over $50,000.You can also declare that your stocks have no par value. In this case, Oklahoma values your shares at $50 each for filing fee calculation. - INCORPORATORS
Incorporators sign and submit your Oklahoma Certificate of Incorporation. Incorporators have to include their names and mailing addresses. Incorporators don’t have to be directors, officers, shareholders, or anyone with ownership interest in the corporation. If you hire us, we’ll be your incorporators. - DIRECTORS
If the incorporators aren’t directors, you’ll also need to list one or more directors, along with mailing addresses.
Submit Your Oklahoma Certificate of Incorporation
Your Oklahoma Certificate of Incorporation can be submitted online, by mail, or in person. The filing fee is calculated at a rate of 1/10 of 1% ($1 per $1000) of total authorized capital. Minimum filing fees are included below.
Online
To file online, submit a Business Entity Filing on the Oklahoma Secretary of State website.
- Under “Domestic Organizations,” select “Domestic Profit Corporation.”
- Enter your name and email address.
- Complete the Oklahoma Certificate of Incorporation.
- Submit and pay the filing fee.
Minimum Fee: $52 ($50 + 4% credit card service fee)
Payment method: credit card
Processing time: 3 days
By Mail
You can download the Oklahoma Certificate of Incorporation form from the Oklahoma Secretary of State website. Complete and mail the form along with the fee.
Minimum Fee: $50
Payment methods: check, cashier’s check, or money order
Processing time: 1-2 weeks
In Person
The Oklahoma Certificate of Incorporation form is the same for in-person and mailed filings.
Minimum Fee: $75 ($50 + $25 expedited fee)
Payment methods: credit card (+4% fee), check, cashier’s check, or money order
Processing time: same day (if submitted by 4:30 pm)
At Oklahoma Registered Agent LLC, we can handle your formation paperwork and much more! Our total formation package gives you everything your need to get your corporation going for only $204!
Our Formation Services
We believe that you shouldn’t have to worry about what you’re going to pay or what services you’re going to get. We give you the services you really need for your new corporation with no hidden fees.
What We Offer
- Oklahoma Business Presence
Everything you need to take your business online: your choice domain name (one year FREE), plus an open-source website, SSL, email address, and OK phone number (FREE for 90 days). - Custom Documents
Bylaws, initial resolutions, and more—everything you need to organize your business and open a corporate bank account. - Instant Access to Your Secure Client Account
Sign in to find free access to helpful resources, such as state forms pre-filled with your corporation’s information. - One Year of Registered Agent Service
We scan documents daily to ensure you never miss an important document. - Address Privacy
Avoid spam by listing our address on your public formation documents—not yours. - Expert Customer Service
Call for assistance and get a real person—never an automated operator. - Access to Additional Filing Services
Get additional filing services, such as our $25 BOI report filing service, or DBA filing for $125 plus state fees.
What We Charge
-
Service
Fees
1 Year of Registered Agent Service
$49
Our Business Formation Service Fee
$100
Oklahoma State Filing Fees
$55
Total
$204
FAQ for Oklahoma Corporations
What is an Organizational Meeting?
Your corporation’s organizational meeting is where you can elect officers, issue stock to shareholders, and adopt bylaws. Not sure what to include in your corporate bylaws? Our formation services package includes free custom bylaws to ensure your corporation is ready to go.
Can I hold the organizational meeting outside of Oklahoma?
Yes, Oklahoma corporations are not required to hold meetings within the state. However, directors should be informed in writing of the place and time of the meeting at least two days prior.
What is an EIN?
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a federal tax ID issued by the IRS. This ID is used to identify your corporation on tax filings.
Does my Oklahoma corporation need an EIN?
Yes—corporations are required to obtain an EIN.
How do I get an EIN for my Oklahoma corporation?
You can apply for an EIN from the IRS website for no charge. If you’d prefer to delegate this task to us, you can add EIN service to any formation package for $50.
What’s the benefit of having an Oklahoma Business Presence?
Our Oklahoma Business Presence package provides the necessary tools to take your business online, which is pretty much essential for any new business today. The benefit of our Business Presence package is you get everything you need all in one place:
- Domain Name
- Open Source Website
- SSL
- Email Address
- Phone number
We give you the domain name of your choosing free for one year and everything else free for 90 days, so your business will be up and running in no time.
What is the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report?
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) requires most new businesses to file a BOI report, which contains basic information about the business and those with the greatest influence over business decisions and who gain the most from business profits. There are a few exemptions for businesses in fields that already have strong government oversight.
What information is required in the BOI report?
You must provide information about your company, beneficial owner(s), and company applicant(s).
Beneficial owner: Any person who owns at least 25% of the company and/or exercises substantial control over business decisions (such as corporate officers).
Company applicant: The person(s) responsible for filing your Certificate of Incorporation.
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Company Information |
Beneficial Owner and Company Applicant Information |
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Note: Businesses formed before 2024 don’t need to include company applicant information.
How do I file the BOI report?
BOI reports must be filed online through the FinCEN database. There’s no fee to file, and your information is not made available to the public.
What is the BOI report due date?
Companies formed during 2024 must file within 90 days of formation. The filing period reduces to 30 days for companies formed in and after 2025. If your company was created before 2024, you must file before January 1, 2025.
Minimize filing stress and ensure that your BOI report gets submitted on time and with all the correct information with our $25 BOI report filing service. Our filing experts are standing by to help.
Does My Oklahoma Corporation Need a Business License?
Possibly. Oklahoma doesn’t have a general business license, but there are necessary licenses and permits for specific professions and business activities, such as food handling or electrical contracting. Oklahoma’s Department of Commerce has a list of Business Licensing and Operating Requirements organized by industry.
Does my Oklahoma corporation need a trade name (DBA)?
Lots of corporations in Oklahoma operate under a trade name (often called a DBA) because it gives them more freedom for franchising and branding. If you’d like to register a DBA, select our Trade Name (DBA) service after signing up for our business formation service at checkout. We will register your corporation’s DBA for $125 plus state fees.
What is Oklahoma’s Franchise Tax?
Oklahoma’s franchise tax is a tax on corporations for the privilege of doing business in the state. The tax rate is $1.25 for every $1000 of capital invested or used in Oklahoma.
When is my Oklahoma Franchise Tax return due?
July 1st each year. If it’s easier, you can file this return together with your corporate income tax return, which is due on the 15th day of the fourth month after the close of the tax year (April 15th for most businesses).
How do I pay my Oklahoma franchise tax?
You can file electronically using the Oklahoma Tax Commission’s portal OkTAP or with a tax product approved by the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Alternatively you can download tax Business Forms from the tax commission’s website.
Do I have to file if I don’t owe any franchise tax?
Yes. Even if your tax liability for the Oklahoma franchise tax is zero, you must still file a return.
Are there other taxes I need to pay?
In addition to the franchise tax and the corporate income tax, your corporation may need to pay other taxes, such as sales and use taxes, withholding or motor fuel taxes. The Oklahoma Tax Commission has an overview of taxes for specific business activities.
Do I also have to file an Oklahoma Annual Certificate?
No. Oklahoma Annual Certificates are required for LLCs and limited partnerships but not corporations.
What are the Benefits of an Oklahoma Corporation?
Some of the benefits of an Oklahoma corporation include strong investor appeal and a powerful reputation.
- Attract Investors
Corporations can be very attractive to investors. Hollywood has familiarized even novice investors with the basic ideas of buying and selling stocks, so the process is more accessible than investing in other types of businesses. Corporations can also offer advantages that business types like LLCs can’t. For example, corporations can offer stock with guaranteed dividends. Whether or not the corporation itself makes a profit, investors with guaranteed dividends get paid. LLCs on the other hand, can’t distribute if they don’t have profits. - Move Up in the World
With a corporation comes status. “Incorporated” or “Corporation” in a business’s name affects people’s first impression. In part because of their long history in the business world, corporations have a reputation as established, trusted entities. Even lenders aren’t immune; some banks prefer to lend to corporations over other business types. Corporate management is filled with impressive titles as well—CEO, President, Director. When it comes to reputation, corporations are the clear winners.
We don’t just incorporate your business. At Oklahoma Registered Agent LLC, we take care of you. Custom documents, a year of registered agent service, expert customer assistance—we provide it all for just $204. Let us form your Oklahoma corporation today!