How to Register a New Business With the State of Ohio
- 1). Conduct a name search to ensure your name is "distinguishable" from other Ohio business names. Ohio's Secretary of State website has a name search engine entrepreneurs can use to check name availability. Revise your name if the results show names that are too similar to the one you had planned.
- 2). Obtain the proper registration forms from the Ohio Secretary of State. Sole proprietorships must register trade names or fictitious names. Corporations must file articles of incorporation. Limited liability companies must file articles of organization. Partnerships must file a statement of partnership authority. These forms are available online.
- 3). Fill out the forms and send them to the Ohio Secretary of State with the requisite filing fee. The forms are straightforward and resemble standard application forms. Filing fees vary depending on the type of business and are subject to change. Contact your local secretary of state office for the most current fees by calling 614-466-3910. Send the forms to:
Ohio Secretary of State
Business Filings Division
P.O. Box 1390
Columbus, OH 43216 - 4). Apply for a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN). According to the Ohio Secretary of State, many Ohio agencies use the FEIN to identify your business. File Form SS-4 with the IRS or apply on the IRS website to obtain this number.
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