One of the first steps you must take when opening a business in Ohio is to register your trade name with the government. You’ll be conducting business under a trade name, commonly referred to as a “doing business as” (DBA) name. It is crucial to register your trade name in order to protect your brand and prevent unauthorized usage of it.
1. Select a trade name. You must select an available name before you can register your trade name. It’s crucial to check the Ohio Secretary of State’s website to be sure your name isn’t already in use because your trade name cannot be the same as any other business name currently registered in Ohio. 2. Finish completing the registration form. After deciding on your trade name, you must complete the registration form. You can submit this form by mail or online through the website of the Ohio Secretary of State. 3. Make the registration fee payment. Your trade name registration costs money, which can be sent in the mail or paid online. Depending on the kind of business you’re registering, there are different fees. 4. Post a notice announcing your trade name. You must issue a notice in a local newspaper in the county where your firm is located after registering your trade name. For three weeks in a row, this notice must be published once each week. You must give the Ohio Secretary of State proof of publication.
Should I Register My Business Name as a Trademark Before Creating My LLC? Before establishing your LLC, trademarking your company name is not required, but it is a smart move if you intend to grow your enterprise. You can only use your company name in connection with your products or services if you register it as a trademark. This implies that nobody other can use your name, protecting your brand and avoiding customer misunderstanding.
You don’t need to register with the state of Ohio if you’re launching a sole proprietorship there. However, if you intend to offer goods or services, you must apply for a vendor’s license. By using the Ohio Business Gateway, you can accomplish this online.
You must submit a cancellation form to the Ohio Secretary of State in order to revoke your DBA in that state. This can be done by mail or online. Your DBA cancellation will cost money.
Although it’s not required, it’s a good idea to establish a different bank account for each DBA for accounting considerations. It is simpler to track revenue and spending for each DBA when you have a different bank account for each one. This keeps your money structured.
It is not specifically addressed in the article “Registering a Trade Name in Ohio: A Step-by-Step Guide” if it is preferable to have numerous LLCs or DBAs. It offers advice and information on registering a trade name in Ohio for companies operating under a DBA (doing business as) name, but it does not weigh the benefits and drawbacks of multiple LLCs against DBAs.
Yes, you are allowed to operate under more than one DBA in Ohio. However, the Ohio Secretary of State’s office requires that each DBA be registered separately. Additionally, the county or city where your business is located may need you to submit a separate registration for each DBA. It’s crucial to remember that filing a DBA does not grant you any legal protection or trademark rights.