You might be unsure whether you require a DBA (Doing Business As) registration if you’re launching a business in Ohio. A DBA is sometimes referred to as a Fictitious Name Registration in Ohio. Whether or not you require one will depend on the nature of your company and the name you intend to employ.
You must submit a Fictitious Name Registration if you’re starting a sole proprietorship or partnership in Ohio and want to use a name other than your own. For instance, if your name is John Smith and you want to call your company “John’s Pizza,” you must register a fictitious name.
However, you might not need to submit a Fictitious Name Registration if you’re establishing an LLC or corporation in Ohio. The state immediately registers your company name when you create an LLC or corporation. You must submit a Fictitious Name Registration if you intend to do business under a name other than your registered name.
Although it’s not necessary to trademark your company name before incorporating your LLC, doing so is a smart idea if you want to safeguard your brand. You have the sole right to use your company name in connection with the goods or services you offer if you register a trademark. This means that no one else may market comparable goods or services using your name or a name that is similar to yours.
To be sure no one else is using a name that sounds similar to yours, you should perform a trademark search before submitting an application. You might need to adopt a different name for your company if you discover that someone else is using a name that sounds similar. Is it possible to register a business name without using it?
If you want to operate under a different name for your company, you may still need to file a Fictitious Name Registration even if you register a business name but do not use it. When the registration expires, you have the option of not renewing it if you don’t intend to use the registered name.
Yes, LLCs in Ohio must pay an annual fee. The $50 yearly fee is due on the anniversary of the day your LLC was created. The state may dissolve your LLC if you fail to pay the charge.
You must submit a Fictitious Name Registration with the Ohio Secretary of State in order to obtain a DBA certificate in Ohio. Online or mail-in filing is an option. The registration is good for five years, with a $39 filing cost.
Yes, you must register your business with the state of Ohio if you intend to conduct business there. All business kinds, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), and corporations, must register. The Ohio Business Identification Number (BIN), which you will need to file taxes, apply for licenses and permits, and carry out other business-related operations in the state, will be provided to you once you have registered.