You must register your business with the Ohio Secretary of State before starting a business in Ohio. This procedure entails submitting the relevant documentation, making the necessary payments, and acquiring the required licenses and permits. Depending on the kind of company you intend to launch and the structure you select, Ohio business registration fees change.
Each type of business structure must pay a different registration fee to the state of Ohio. For instance, creating a limited liability company (LLC) will cost you $99, whereas registering a sole proprietorship would cost you $39. You must pay $125 if you wish to register a corporation. The cost to register a partnership is $99 per partner. Make sure you have all the required documentation and information before submitting your application because these payments are non-refundable.
One thing to keep in mind is that registering your company with the Ohio Secretary of State does not grant you the sole right to use the name of your company. You must file a trade name or “doing business as” (DBA) name registration if you wish to use a name other than your legal name. In Ohio, registering a trade name costs $39 and is good for five years.
A registered trade name is a name used by a company to do business that is distinct from the owner’s legal name. You can conduct business under this name, register bank accounts, and advertise your company. It’s crucial to understand that trademark protection does not extend to registered trade names. You must submit a trademark application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office if you wish to protect your business name.
A company might occasionally be obliged to use a forced trade name. This occurs when a corporation is already using a similar name or when the proposed name is too similar to one already in use. In this situation, the company owner will have to select a new name that is not already being used by another business. In Ohio, it costs $39 to register a forced trade name.
And last, certain states do not demand a DBA registration. Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, and these other states are among them. The Secretary of State or other state agencies may nevertheless need that you register your business, even though your state may not require a DBA registration.
In conclusion, you must pay a registration cost to register a business in Ohio. This charge is determined by the kind of business structure you select. Additionally, you must register a trade name or DBA name if you intend to use a name other than your legal name. In Ohio, registering a trade name costs $39 and is good for five years. A trade name’s registration, however, does not grant trademark protection. You must submit a trademark application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office if you wish to protect your business name.
If you register your firm in Ohio as a limited liability corporation (LLC), you may add LLC to your company name. The term “LLC” may be used in a firm’s name in Ohio to denote that it has a limited liability company as its legal form. To avoid any legal complications, it is crucial to confirm that your chosen company name is not already being used by another corporate entity in Ohio.