Ohio Secretary of State – OH SOS Business Search

The Ohio Secretary of State website serves as the central hub for those looking to initiate a business in Ohio or gather information about existing businesses.

This guide will lead you through the step-by-step process of exploring Ohio’s business entity records and registering your own business entity in the state. 

We’ll also answer some of the most common queries related to starting a business in Ohio.

Ohio Secretary of State Business Services Division
Address: 180 E. Broad Street, Suite 103 (ground floor), Columbus, Ohio 43215
Telephone: 1(614) 466-3910
Website: www.ohiosos.gov
E-Mail: ohiosos.gov/contact

The Ohio Secretary of State website can be found at www.ohiosos.gov.

Like other Secretary of State websites, the Ohio Secretary of State website allows you to search for information relating to businesses in Ohio, file your own business documents, and register a new business in the state.

How to Find Business Entity Records for Businesses in Ohio

To search for a business in Ohio, you need to go to the Business Search page of the Ohio Secretary of State website.

The Business Search page defaults to searching by business name. However, using the menu on the left, you can also choose to search by prior business names, registered agents of the business or entity number. 

When performing your search, you can choose to browse all businesses or only active, cancelled or ‘dead’ businesses.

For example, choosing the active tick box and then entering the word ‘sports’ brings up a list of all active Ohio businesses that have the word Sports in their registered business name.

You can then click ‘show details’ next to any business to view more information about that business, such as the business’s registered address, agent name, and filings.

Searching for a business in this way is helpful if you want to learn more about a particular business. It’s also handy if you’re planning to register a business in Ohio and want to check if a similar business name already exists or if you’re looking to research potential competitors.

For those starting a new business, the next step after searching for similar businesses is to register your own business entity. We’ll explain how to do this in the next section.

How to Register a Business Entity in Ohio

To register a business in Ohio, you need to go file the correct forms and pay the associated fees.

All of the necessary forms and fees can be found on the Filing Forms & Fee Schedule page of the Ohio Secretary of State website. 

For example, if you want to form a domestic (i.e. Ohio based) LLC then the fee is $99 and you need to complete form 523A.

Forms can either be completed online or downloaded as a PDF and printed ready to complete manually.

To complete your business registration online, you will need to set up an account and log in to the Ohio Secretary of State website.

FAQs

What are the subtypes of business entity in Ohio?

Ohio recognizes several subtypes of business entities, including limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships.

What is the difference between a corporation and an LLC in Ohio?

Corporations and LLCs in Ohio both establish the business as a distinct legal entity from its owners. However, LLCs provide greater flexibility in terms of management and tax arrangements.

Does LLC have to be in the name of a business entity in Ohio?

Yes, in Ohio, all LLCs are required to include the abbreviation ‘LLC’ or the words ‘Limited Liability Company’ as part of their official business name.

What are the benefits of an LLC in Ohio?

The key advantage of forming an LLC in Ohio lies in its ability to establish a distinct legal separation between the business and its owner, thereby mitigating the owner’s legal and financial liability. Also, the process of registering an LLC is more economical and straightforward and LLCs provide enhanced flexibility in terms of management and tax options.

How much does it cost to register a business in Ohio?

It costs $99 to register a business in Ohio. You may choose to pay more for ‘expedited filing’, which starts from $100 and means your business registration will be processed more quickly.

What is the annual fee for an LLC in Ohio?

There is no annual fee for an LLC in Ohio.

How long does it take to get an LLC in Ohio?

The standard processing time for a business filing in Ohio is 3 to 7 business days. However, you have the option of paying an additional $100 to get your LLC within 2 days, an additional $200 to get your LLC in 1 business day, or an additional $300 to get your LLC in just 4 hours (if submitted before 1pm).