It takes careful planning and adherence to state laws and regulations to launch a business in Ohio. There are a number of standards you must satisfy before you may lawfully operate in Ohio, regardless of whether you want to sell goods or services. In this article, we’ll address some of the most often asked queries regarding the requirements for selling in Ohio.
You must file a “doing business as” (DBA) name registration with the Ohio Secretary of State if you want to conduct business under a name other than your own legal name. All business structures, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, and LLCs, are covered by this. You can conduct business under a name other than your legal name by registering a DBA name, which is frequently required for branding and marketing reasons. Should I get a trademark for my company name before creating my LLC?
Although it is not necessary to register a trademark before creating an LLC, doing so can be a wise step to safeguard your brand. You are granted the sole right to use your company name and logo in connection with your goods or services when you register a trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This can stop other companies from using a name or logo that is identical to yours, which could confuse customers and hurt your company’s reputation.
You must submit a Trade Name Registration to the Ohio Secretary of State in order to register a trade name in Ohio. You must fill out this form with your full legal name, your business name, and an explanation of the products or services you will be selling. This paperwork must be submitted for a fee, and your trade name registration is good for five years. Do trade names ever become inactive? In Ohio, trade names do expire after five years. You must submit a renewal form to the Ohio Secretary of State before your trade name registration expires in order to renew it. Maintaining a valid trade name registration is crucial since employing an out-of-date trade name could result in penalties or legal issues.
In conclusion, paying close attention to state laws and regulations is necessary while opening a business in Ohio. You must file a DBA name registration with the Ohio Secretary of State if you intend to conduct business using a name other than your legal name. Although it is not necessary to register a trademark before creating an LLC, doing so can be a wise step to safeguard your brand. You must submit a Trade Name Registration form to the Ohio Secretary of State in order to register a trade name there. To keep your trade name current, be sure to renew your registration every five years. You can start your business and lawfully offer your products or services in Ohio by following these procedures.
A DBA (Doing Business As) in Ohio has the advantage of enabling a business to operate under a name other than the owner’s legal name, which can be advantageous for branding and marketing. Furthermore, creating a DBA can aid in establishing a degree of separation between the company’s assets and liabilities and the owner’s personal assets and obligations.