Please make checks and money orders payable to “Ohio Secretary of State. You dont need to register with city or county governments to start a business. When submitting the forms to our office, please note that we may only accept single-sided, 8.5 x 11 sheets of paper as the documents are all scanned and imaged into our database after being processed. Ohio law requires that new business names be distinguishable upon the records. If you would like to provide feedback on any of the forms or to be notified about future updates, please e-mail the Business Services Division. The Ohio Secretary of State approves and keeps a registry of business names.
As forms are revised, the most recent update will be posted in the “Date Updated” column below. If it is already taken in Ohio, you will need to choose another.
All updated forms now include a correspondence cover sheet to assist in communication with our office. How to Register a Foreign Corporation Search the Ohio Secretary of State for your company name. You can file online with the Secretary of State’s website, or you can complete the Name Registration form. These forms have been updated to help reduce common filing errors and revisions are based on feedback from Ohio businesses and those who frequently use the forms. Your Ohio trade name can be filed online or by mail with the Secretary of State. address of a registered agent with a physical address (no post office boxes) in Ohio. In an effort to provide clear direction when filing to register a domestic business entity in the state of Ohio, some of the following forms have been revised by the Ohio Secretary of State Business Services Division. The name must contain either the word Company, Corporation or.