Oklahoma LLC Annual Certificate: How to File

You did it. Your Oklahoma LLC is officially up and running, ready to take on challenges, roll in the profits, and change the world.

There’s no doubt that this is an exciting time in your business journey. After starting your LLC, it’s easy to get carried away in all the excitement and expectations. After all, as a new business owner, you’ve got a lot on your plate.

But the state does too. They need to keep updated records on thousands of businesses so that they can effectively reach out with any important tax or legal communications down the road. How do they do it? With your cooperation, of course.

In Oklahoma, an LLC’s annual report is known as an annual certificate, and it helps the state keep its records up-to-date regarding business activities conducted within its borders. Unsure how to go about it? Never even heard of it? No worries at all. That’s why we’re here. Keep reading for everything you need to know.

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What Is an Oklahoma Annual Certificate? Why Is It Important?

Consider an annual certificate the state’s yearly checkup on your LLC. It’s similar to a census in that its purpose is to collect the necessary contact and structural information about each Oklahoma business.

Each state has its own annual reporting requirements, and some don’t even require them. But in most states, you’re required to submit one per year that includes your LLC name, principal office address, registered agent information, and member/manager names and addresses. Whether you run a domestic or foreign LLC, you should plan on submitting an annual certificate.

Don’t be intimidated, but it’s not something you want to take lightly. This is how the state updates your LLC’s record with the most recent information. They need to know how to reach you with important information about your business status, upcoming filings, taxes, and service of process.

For example, if you change your registered agent, or your current agent resigns, you’ll need to keep the state informed so they can update their contact information. Miss one of their communications and your LLC in Oklahoma might end up falling out of good standing or, even worse, being administratively dissolved.

Moreover, keeping your information current will help other businesses and potential customers find you. If the Secretary of State has the most updated data on record, future partners, clients, and anyone else can find your LLC’s contact information by performing a name search.

How Much Does the Oklahoma LLC Annual Certificate Fee Cost?

If you’re putting together a budget for all your LLC’s costs – like formation costs, name reservation fees, and initial operating expenses – it’s important to include annual filings like this one, just so that there are no surprises.

Costs vary from state to state. Some are free while others can be several hundred dollars. But Oklahoma’s annual certificate won’t break the bank, as it’s just $25.

Due Date and Frequency for an Annual Certificate in Oklahoma

As the name suggests, you’ll need to file an annual certificate once per year. It’s due by your LLC’s anniversary date, the day it was originally formed. Can’t remember your anniversary date? It’s on your LLC’s online record, so you can find using the Secretary of State’s Business Entities Search.

So, if your Articles of Organization were approved on August 15, 2021, your first annual certificate will be due on August 15, 2022.

What Happens if You Don’t File?

You might be thinking, “that sounds like a pain. How bad could it be if I just fly under the radar?” The short answer: don’t try it. Failing to file your annual certificate can yield some serious consequences.

There’s no late fee for annual certificates, but this doesn’t mean you can skate by without penalty. If you haven’t filed within 60 days of your anniversary date, your LLC will lose its good standing with the state, which means it won’t have the authority to file documents, maintain legal proceedings, or obtain a Certificate of Good Standing. Fail to file an annual certificate for three years in a row and the state will dissolve your business.

Required Information

You’ve got the basics down pat, now let’s dig into the particulars. Oklahoma’s annual certificate is a fairly simple document, and it shouldn’t take long to complete. Here’s all the information it requires:

LLC name and address
Filing number (you can find this through the Business Entity Search)
Anniversary date
Street address of the LLC’s principal place of business (P.O. boxes not allowed)
Email address for the primary contact

That’s it! You might even know all of this info off the top of your head. If not, it’s easily accessible on your Articles of Organization or online record.

Filing Options

The Oklahoma Secretary of State provides three ways to file: online, by mail, and in person. The fastest route is filing online, but all three are equally effective.

Online Filing: Head over to this page and sign in to the Oklahoma Secretary of State Business Services. You will need to create an account if you don’t already have one. Now that you’re logged in, select “File Annual Certificates Electronically” from the menu, then “Start New.” From there, enter your business and payment information and you’re good to go! Your filing will be processed in 1-2 business days.

Filing by Mail: Download the annual certificate paper copy and fill it out. Then, include a $25 check payable to “Oklahoma Secretary of State” and mail it to:

Oklahoma Secretary of State

421 NW 13th, Suite 210

Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Filing In Person: Live in Oklahoma City? You’re also welcome to hand-deliver your document and payment to the same address.

Hard copy filings are a bit slower than electronic ones. They will be processed in 7-10 business days.

Does the State Send Reminders?

Reminders are always nice. They help you stay on top of your business requirements and ensure that you won’t fall out of good standing.

The Secretary of State has your back. They’ll send your LLC a reminder 60 days before your annual certificate is due. But we recommend supplementing that by marking it on your calendar, writing it in your planner, setting reminders on your phone, leaving Post-It notes around, anything else that will help you remember to file on time.

Conclusion

There you have it, everything you need to know about Oklahoma’s reporting requirements. Follow this guide to a T and your LLC will be prepared to operate smoothly and in good standing long into the future.

And remember, if at any point it seems overwhelming, you’re not alone. A good LLC service like ZenBusiness (or LegalZoom) can be a valuable resource, taking care of all the little details, so you can focus on growing your business.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Filing the Oklahoma LLC Annual Certificate

Should I use an annual certificate service, hire an attorney, or prepare and file my own reports?

This question largely comes down to personal preferences, but we do have some general insights. The DIY route can be quite a bit of work, as you’ll need to keep track of your due dates and complete the entire report on your own with no assistance. As for hiring an attorney, this can be prohibitively expensive for many businesses, as a lawyer can charge hundreds or even thousands of dollars to prepare and file your annual certificates.

You can think of business services companies as a middle ground between these options. While most of these companies charge a fee to prepare and file your annual certificates, that fee will be significantly less expensive than an attorney’s fee. At the same time, you still aren’t going it alone. Instead, you have an experienced professional guiding you through the entire process.

I’ve heard the most about LegalZoom. Are they the best annual certificate service?

LegalZoom is the most well-known of all business services companies, thanks to its long track record and extensive advertising campaigns. That said, all of that brand power comes at a cost, as LegalZoom’s pricing and features don’t always compare advantageously to its competitors. While we do appreciate LegalZoom’s annual certificate filing service, it isn’t our top choice.

When is my annual certificate due each year?

This all depends on when you formed your Oklahoma LLC. The state’s statutes say that every LLC operating within its borders needs to file an annual certificate by no later than its formation anniversary date. Therefore, if you formed your business on June 17, you need to file your annual certificate by June 17 of each subsequent year.

Does Oklahoma require LLCs to file initial reports?

In some states, LLCs are also required to file initial reports. These reports are typically quite similar to annual reports, with the difference being that an initial report either accompanies your formation documents or follows their filing within a couple of months.

In Oklahoma, LLCs are not required to file initial reports. Instead, this state gathers all of the information it needs for your LLC’s first year in business from your Articles of Organization filing.

What if I need more time to complete my annual certificate?

Oklahoma does not offer formal extensions for annual certificate filings. However, the state does have a bit of a built-in grace period, during which LLCs can submit late annual certificates without penalty. This period runs for 60 days following your anniversary date.

Where can I find more official information about Oklahoma’s LLC annual certificate requirements?

In general, Oklahoma doesn’t do a great job of providing official info online regarding its LLC annual certificates. However, taking a look at the state’s laws as they’re written can help answer many questions about these filings.

LLC Annual Reports in all 50 States

We break down the LLC Annual Reporting process for all 50 states. View our guides below.