Frequently Asked Questions

If you are forming an LLC, partnership, non-profit, etc., you must file your business with the Oklahoma Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State’s Business Filing Department processes corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, certificate of partnership fictitious name for general partnership, trade name, and trademark registration filings. Such filings include new registrations, amendments, mergers, dissolutions and withdrawals for both domestic and foreign entities.

• Name Availability Search
  
• Electronic Registration
  
• Registration Forms
• Name Availibility

To complete the business registration process in the State of Oklahoma, start by performing a name availability search to see if your business name is available.

When ready, registration is available electronically or by filling out the appropriate forms and submitting them to the Oklahoma Secretary of State.

If your business name is available and you are still not ready to register the business, you may reserve your business name for up to 60 days by filing a name reservation. Note that a name reservation is not a business registration, its purpose is to only reserve the business name.

• Name Reservation
• LLC Name Reservation

When you decide on your desired business structure, note which formal types of business structures must be registered. These business registrations are available electronically or by filling out the appropriate forms and submitting them to our office.

• Electronic Registration
• Registration Forms

Reach out to the SBA or SBDC to see if they have any grants available. Your local chamber of commerce may also know of anything at the city level that is available to you.

• SBA
• SBDC

Some common business activities do not require a state license. However, licenses for these activities may still be required by counties and municipalities.

For many businesses in Oklahoma there may be a license, permit or other filing action required to operate. Review our licensing and permits page.

All businesses with employees (including those under the structure of a sole proprietorship) must obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An EIN (also, informally, called a “federal ID number”) is obtained, free of charge, from the website of the federal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agency (of the U.S. Treasury Department).

Businesses operating as general partnerships or registered under a formal entity structure (i.e., LLCs, corporations and others) are required to obtain an EIN, as well.

Apply for EIN online

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce provides certification for women-owned businesses and can assist in the application process. Find out more about women-owned businesses at okcommerce.gov/certifications.

Small business incubators are located through the state. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce certifies incubators which can be found in this directory.