An Ohio Secretary of State business search is free on the SOS Business Search site. Type the name you want and check whether any LLC, corporation, partnership or registered trade name already uses it. If no existing record is the same once you set aside endings like LLC or Inc., the name is probably available.
Searching doesn’t reserve the name. Ohio offers a 180-day name reservation for $39, and DBAs (trade names or fictitious names) are registered with the Secretary of State for $39 and last five years. Forming an LLC costs $99, and Ohio LLCs file no annual report.
Updated October 2026.
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Best LLC Formation Services in Ohio (2026)
If you’d rather not handle forming your LLC once your name is clear in Ohio yourself, these are the services we recommend, in order. The table compares price and what’s included.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Forming an LLC with the agent, EIN and annual report included | $199/year + state fee at cost | LLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing |
| 2 | OH Registered Agent.org | Ohio registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Ohio. It costs $199/year + state fee at cost and covers lLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing. The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. OH Registered Agent.org
OH Registered Agent.org is a Ohio registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
Ohio business name search at a glance
| Item | Ohio details (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Filing office | Ohio Secretary of State, Business Services Division |
| Search tool | Ohio Secretary of State Business Search |
| Online filing | Ohio Business Central (business services portal) |
| LLC Articles of Organization | $99 (Form 610) |
| Name reservation | $39 (Form 534B); 180 days; transfer or cancellation $25 |
| Trade name or fictitious name (DBA) | $39 (Form 534A); five-year term |
| LLC annual report | None required |
Fees are from the Secretary of State’s filing forms and fee schedule. Mainstay Filing’s Ohio LLC cost guide shows the full cost of forming an LLC in Ohio.
How to check business name availability in Ohio
Here is how to find out whether the name you want for your Ohio business is available.
1. Go to the Ohio Secretary of State website
Open the Secretary of State’s Business Search. It’s free, and you don’t need an account to search.
2. Search for a business name
Type the core words of the name and leave off LLC, Ltd. or Inc. A search for “Buckeye Brewing” will show “Buckeye Brewing LLC,” “Buckeye Brewing Co.” and any registered trade names that use those words.
3. Choose a name
Ohio won’t accept a new LLC name that isn’t distinguishable on the Secretary of State’s records from another LLC, corporation, limited partnership, LLP or registered trade name (ORC 1706.07). Exact matches, and names that differ only in the ending or punctuation, are out.
4. Choose the name with no matches
If your search turns up nothing close, the name is likely free to use. The Secretary of State confirms it only when your filing is reviewed, so keep a backup name ready.
5. Consider reserving a name
If you aren’t forming the business right away, a 180-day reservation keeps others from filing under the name in the meantime. Details are below.
6. Check domain name availability
Before you commit, make sure you can get the website and social handles. Namechk checks both in one search.
Ohio business name rules
- LLC designator: the name must contain “limited liability company” or “L.L.C.,” “LLC,” “limited,” “ltd.” or “ltd” (ORC 1706.07(A)).
- Distinguishable: the name must be distinguishable from domestic and registered foreign LLCs, corporations, LLPs and limited partnerships, and from trade names whose exclusive right is registered with the Secretary of State.
- Consent: an LLC can use a name that isn’t distinguishable if the other business, or the owner of the registered trade name, files written consent on the Secretary of State’s form.
- Regulated words: terms tied to licensed industries, such as banking or insurance, can require approval from the relevant Ohio regulator.
How to name your Ohio business
A strong name is easier to clear in the search and easier for customers to remember. A few habits help:
- Write down what you do and who you serve. List the keywords a customer would use to find you.
- Avoid initials and hard-to-say words. They’re harder to remember and to find in a search.
- Don’t box yourself in. A name tied to one product or town can limit you as you grow.
- Use a name generator. Namechk’s business name generator, domain name generator and brand name generator turn a few keywords into options you can test in the Ohio search.
Your business structure matters too. An LLC or corporation needs a designator in its name, while a sole proprietorship that wants to operate under anything other than the owner’s name registers a trade name or fictitious name. Most small businesses that want liability protection choose an LLC.
How to reserve a business name in Ohio
- File Form 534B, Name Reservation online through Ohio Business Central or on paper. You can list up to three names in order of preference; the first available one is reserved.
- Pay the $39 filing fee. Expedited processing is available for an added fee.
- Wait for written confirmation. The reservation isn’t granted until the Secretary of State confirms it.
- The reservation lasts 180 days from filing. Transferring or cancelling it costs $25.
Check trademarks, domains and social handles
The Ohio business search shows entities and registered trade names, not federal trademarks. Run a USPTO trademark search as well, especially if you plan to sell outside Ohio.
Then claim your name online. Namechk checks domains and social media usernames together, and the domain name generator suggests alternatives if the .com is taken.
We created a tool that makes it easy.
Trade names and fictitious names (DBAs) in Ohio
Ohio has two DBA filings, both with the Secretary of State and both on Form 534A for $39 (ORC 1329.01):
- Trade name registration: registers a name you use, giving you the exclusive right to it on the Secretary of State’s records. A registered trade name also blocks new LLCs from using a name that isn’t distinguishable from it.
- Report of fictitious name: reports a name you operate under without claiming exclusive rights to it.
Either filing lasts five years and can be renewed during the six months before it expires (ORC 1329.04). A general partnership must also renew whenever a named partner leaves. Updates to a registration cost $25 (Form 524A).
Steps to register your Ohio business
Once you’ve found an available name, our Ohio LLC guide walks through formation in detail.
- File Articles of Organization (Form 610) online through Ohio Business Central or by mail. The fee is $99 (ORC 111.16).
- Appoint a statutory agent, Ohio’s term for a registered agent: an Ohio resident or a business with an Ohio address (ORC 1706.09). An owner who lives in Ohio can serve. Mainstay Filing includes registered agent service in its formation package (Ohio costs); our Ohio registered agent guide explains the rules.
- Get an EIN from the IRS (free).
- Register for state taxes. Ohio LLCs don’t file annual reports with the Secretary of State, but businesses above the gross-receipts threshold owe Ohio’s Commercial Activity Tax. The Ohio start-a-business guide covers licenses and tax registration.
FAQs
Why is it important to check business name availability in Ohio?
Ohio won’t file your Articles of Organization if the name isn’t distinguishable from an existing LLC, corporation, partnership or registered trade name on the Secretary of State’s records. A quick search saves you a rejected filing and helps you avoid confusing customers or stepping on another company’s trade name rights.
Is the Ohio Secretary of State business search free?
Yes. The Ohio Secretary of State’s Business Search at businesssearch.ohiosos.gov is free and doesn’t require an account. You pay only when you file something, such as a $39 name reservation, a $39 trade name or fictitious name registration, or $99 Articles of Organization for an LLC.
How long does an Ohio name reservation last?
An Ohio name reservation lasts 180 days from the date of filing. It costs $39 using Form 534B, and you can list up to three names in order of preference. The reservation isn’t granted until you receive written confirmation. Transferring or cancelling a reservation costs $25.
What is the difference between a trade name and a fictitious name in Ohio?
Both are DBA filings with the Ohio Secretary of State on Form 534A for $39. A trade name registration claims the exclusive right to use the name and can block new LLC names that aren’t distinguishable from it. A fictitious name report simply discloses a name you operate under. Both last five years.
Does an Ohio LLC have to file an annual report?
No. Ohio doesn’t require LLCs to file an annual report with the Secretary of State, so there’s no recurring state filing fee after the $99 Articles of Organization. Ohio LLCs may still owe the Commercial Activity Tax if their gross receipts exceed the state’s threshold, and trade names must be renewed every five years.
Does an Ohio business search include trademarks?
It includes trade names registered with the Ohio Secretary of State, but not federal trademarks. Search the USPTO database before you commit, especially if you’ll sell outside Ohio. Also check that the domain name and social media handles you want are available.
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