Planning to start a business in Ohio? If so, one of the first steps for you will be choosing a business name and registering with the state. Maybe you’ve had a name in mind for some time or maybe you need to brainstorm ideas, but no matter where you are in the process you’ll need to make sure the name you want is available in Ohio.
Ohio law doesn’t allow for two businesses to have the same name. If the name you want is in use, you’ll need to come up with a new name. How do you know if a name is taken? You’ll need to conduct a business name search.
We’ll explain how to do a search and provide some tips to launch your Ohio small business.
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How to check business name availability in Ohio
As mentioned above, you can’t just pick any name for your Ohio business. A business name must not be in use by anyone else and must be unique. The presence of “LLC” or “Company” in the legal title is not an acceptable way to make your name unique or to give you the option to use a similar name to a business that already exists.
1. Go to the Ohio Secretary of State website
Like most states, the Ohio Secretary of State website has a search tool that you can use to see if a name is taken.
2. Enter your desired business name
Using the search tool is just like using a search engine. You’ll enter the name of your business to conduct a search.
You have the option to check a box for either all businesses, active businesses, canceled businesses, or dead businesses. Check “active” because if a name was in use once but is now canceled or dead, you can still use it since it is not in use presently for any other business.
3. Run the search
The site will return results that have a match. If there’s an exact match, the name is not available. If there’s no match, the name is available for you to use.
Again, Ohio law says no two businesses in the state can have the same name, so you should keep searching for names until you find one that’s available.
Names must be distinguishable too, so you can’t just tack ‘LLC’ to a name to make it different.
Names need to be different enough for the state (and customers) to tell them apart. If, for example, two businesses have the same name and the state needs to send out tax notices these important documents could be mixed up due to similar names.
4. Click the “Name Search Help” button for further assistance
If you’re struggling to come up with a good name that isn’t already in use, take a look at the information provided through this button. The naming process is further explained and additional resources are provided.
5. Consider reserving a name
After running an Ohio business name search, you have two options: You can reserve a name or you can register the name. You should reserve the name if you aren’t planning to set up the business immediately.
Ohio allows business owners to reserve a name for 180 days for $39.
To do so, you’ll fill out a quick form at the link above and provide the payment.
Again, you don’t need to reserve a name if you plan to officially set up your business with the state of Ohio, but if you’re just doing some homework and plan to set up your business later, reserve the name now so it’s not taken when you’re ready.
6. Check domain name availability
We created a tool that makes it easy.
How to name your Ohio business
Now that you know a little more about the business landscape in the state, it’s time to start generating a list of names for your business. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Write down basic details about your business
Start by creating a verbal picture of your business. Think about what your business will offer and who it will serve. Will you sell a specific product or service? Who’s going to buy it? Jot down a few details about your company as a starting point.
Next, start creating a list of adjectives that describe your business. Think in terms of keywords. What keywords would your customer use to find the product or service that you offer? Write them down.
2. Stay away from initials and hard-to-say words
There are plenty of businesses that include initials, like A&J Plumbing, but consider upping your game with something a bit more creative and descriptive.
The same goes for names that are hard to say. If your last name is Stackowaski, for example, it’s not conducive to a business name because it’s too hard to pronounce.
3. Don’t pigeon-hole your business
Be careful not to select a name that limits your company’s potential growth. Think about where your business will be in five, ten, even twenty years, and take that into consideration when creating a name.
A company named Bob’s Bargain Books, for example, is a good name, but what if they plan to sell vintage records and cassettes down the road? The name only refers to books, so when vintage music is added people won’t associate it with the store.
4. Consider using a name generator
At this point, you probably have a list of a few ideas. Rather than brainstorm a bunch of different combinations, why not try a name generator? You simply enter a few of the adjectives that you came up with into the search bar and you’ll get a list of possible names.
Name generators can take some of the hassles out of creating a name. Most name generators will only show you available names too, which is helpful.
Check out some of Namechk’s name generators below:
What kind of business structure is right for your Ohio company?
As you research available business names in Ohio, you’ll also want to think about what kind of business you want to establish. There are a handful of options to choose from, but some of the most common are Sole proprietorship and LLC.
- A sole proprietorship is ideal for small businesses with no employees that want to test their business out. There’s virtually no paperwork to set up this kind of business, which is a plus. However, a sole proprietorship is not a separate business entity, which means you’re financially and legally responsible for any problems that might arise.
- An LLC, or limited liability company, provides a certain amount of liability protection. Your personal assets and your business are separate with this business structure, which means if the business is sued or goes bankrupt, you will not be forced to use your personal cash reserves to bail the business out.
Steps to register your Ohio business
Ready to set up your business in OH? Here’s what you do:
1. File your Articles of Organization
Visit the Ohio Secretary of State website and fill out the Articles of Organization. To fill this out, you’ll need to have an available business name, address, and contact information.
2. Name a registered agent
You’ll also need to name a registered agent. A registered agent is the point-person for your company who will receive important documents like tax notices or legal documents.
A registered agent must be trustworthy and be available during regular business hours when documents are delivered. The business owner can serve as the registered agent in Ohio, or another person or company can be named.
You might decide to name your accountant or co-founder, for example. You can also hire a registered agent service to serve in this role. Northwest Registered Agent, ZenBusiness, and Bizee are a few examples. These companies will receive documents on your behalf and notify you of their arrival.
3. Pay the filing fee
Every state charges a filing fee to file LLC formation documents with the government. In Ohio, the cost is $99.
4. Wait for approval
Ohio will review your application and typically provides an approval within five business days. Once approved, your business is officially set up.
Our picks of the best registered agent services
Ohio small business facts
Before you start considering your business name, take a look at these Ohio business stats from the Small Business Administration:
- Ohio small businesses employed 2.2 million people, or 45.3% of the private workforce, in 2017.
- The number of proprietors increased in 2018 by 2.9% relative to the previous year.
- The median income for self–employed individuals at their own incorporated businesses was $50,609 in 2018. For self–employed individuals at their own unincorporated firms, median income was $24,561.
- In April 2020, the unemployment rate was 16.8%, up from 4.1% in April 2019. This was above the April 2020 national unemployment rate of 14.7%.
- Firms with 20 to 99 employees have the largest share of small business employment.
- Small businesses created 44,523 net jobs in 2019. Firms employing fewer than 20 employees experienced the largest gains, adding 29,132 net jobs. The smallest gains were in firms employing 100 to 499 employees, which added 2,685 net jobs.
FAQs
To further help entrepreneurs, check out these frequently asked questions about starting a business in Ohio:
Why is it so important to check on business name availability?
Ohio will not allow two businesses in the state to have the same name. There are many reasons for this, but at its core, it’s to avoid any confusion. For example, if someone plans to sue Bob’s Fruit Stand and there are two of these companies in the state, things can get complicated quickly.
All businesses must have a unique name. And, you can’t just add a hyphen to a name to make it different. Each name must be “distinguishingly different.”
Can I file a “Doing Business As” with your office?
No. A “Doing Business As” or a “DBA” is not a recognized filing type in Ohio. But you can file a trade name registration or report the use of a fictitious name, which is similar to a “DBA.”
How do I notify the state if my business information changes or I cease doing business?
Depending on what information is changing, you can file one of the various amendment forms. A minor or single change is often done by an amendment. If the changes are more extensive, Amended and Restated Articles are usually filed.
If you cease doing business, you should file the appropriate dissolution form for your type of business.
Who is required to register with the Ohio Secretary of State?
Any business entity, domestic or foreign, planning to transact business within Ohio, using a name other than their own personal name, must register. Business entities must file the appropriate formation documents to register their business.
Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are not required to register the business entity; however, they may need to register a trade name or report the use of a fictitious name if they are doing business in a name not their own. (For example, if you are doing business under your personal name, i.e. Bob Smith, then you do not need to register with the state office, but if you are doing business under the name “Bob Smith’s Automotive Shop,” then the name must be registered with the state office).
Are LLCs required to file an annual report?
Business entities in Ohio are not required to file an annual report. However, certain types of entities and registrations are required to file reports at different intervals.
Professional Associations and Limited Liability Partnerships are required to file biennial reports, and trade names, fictitious names, and trademarks or service marks require renewals. For the timing of each of these filings, please consult the Ohio Secretary of State website.
Can the Secretary of State’s office issue my tax ID or employer identification number?
The Secretary of State’s office does not issue tax IDs or EINs. Contact the IRS for information regarding tax IDs and EINs.
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