Why do you need to do a business entity search?
Ohio doesn’t allow two or more businesses to use the same registered name, just like every other state. Before forming your Ohio LLC, you should do a name search in Ohio to make sure your desired name is available. If you plan to register your LLC in multiple states, be sure to perform a business entity search in each state’s database as well.
To ensure the Ohio secretary of state approves your LLC Articles of Organization, you must confirm no other business is already using your desired name.
Ohio state naming guidelines
Most US states have naming guidelines you must follow when registering a business name.
In Ohio, those naming guidelines include:
- Unique: Ohio law requires your business name to be distinguishable from any registered with the state.
- Unacceptable Words: Your LLC name cannot contain profanities or words that slur religion, ethnic groups, heredity, or gender.
- Required terminologies: Your Ohio LLC name must include “limited liability company” or one of its approved abbreviations: LLC, L.L.C., limited, ltd. or ltd (ORC 1706.07).
- Government Affiliation: You cannot include words that improperly imply your business is affiliated with a government department, like I.R.S. or F.B.I.
- Entity-Specific Rules: Certain business entities must follow state agency regulations when choosing a business name.
- Banks and Trusts: Words such as “bank”, “banking” or “trust” need approval from the Ohio Superintendent of Financial Institutions.
Pro tip:
For further information on Ohio state naming regulations, visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s “Guide to naming availability” web page.
Next, we’ll break down how you use the Ohio business entity search database.
Conducting a business name search in Ohio:
step-by-step guide with tips
The Ohio business entity search database is very user-friendly.
However, for the best results, follow these guidelines:
- Do not include punctuation marks.
- Use the wildcards for broader search results.
- Search isn’t case-sensitive, so it ignores capitalization.
- Start searching using a single-word search then add more words with each following search.
- Don’t use LLC designators in your search term.
To narrow your search, use the following words:
- And: Use this so the results show all the keywords you have entered.
- Or: Use this so the search results contain at least one entered keyword.
- Not: Use this so the search results include the first keyword you enter, not the second.
Visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s website
Visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s Business Search page, which maintains a public record of all registered businesses.
The Ohio Business entity search has the following category options:
- Business Name
- Exact Business Name
- Prior Business Name
- Agent/Registered Agent
- Incorporator
- Number Search
Select your business name search options
The Ohio Business search results status page has three search status types:
- All: Provides results on all LLCs, active, canceled, and dead.
- Active: An active result shows the entity is in good standing with the Ohio Secretary of State and the name is in use.
- Canceled/Dead: These show that the business is no longer trading, and the name may be available. A canceled LLC can sometimes be reinstated, so check with the Secretary of State before relying on it.
The easiest way to search for Ohio businesses is by using your desired LLC name. Select the Search by Business Name option, enter your future LLC name into the search box, select All, and press Search.
Reviewing results
The results page will display any names that match or are similar to your search query.
If no matching names show, the following message will appear: “No data is available in the table,” and your name is available.
Matching names will appear in the “Search Results” table, where you can click on them for further information.
If similar names appear, you can run an Ohio LLC search to view specific details for each entity, including whether it’s active, canceled, or in good standing. This deeper search helps you confirm not just name availability but also whether another LLC is still legally operating or has lapsed.
Review detailed business information
The Business Details and Filing page displays your selected search result information, including the entity type and number, status, county, location, filing, and expiration date.
Fictitious name (DBA)
If the business name you want is unavailable, you can file for an Ohio DBA registration to trade under a more memorable brand name.
Any business can use a DBA by filing Form 534A, which covers both trade name registrations and fictitious name reports. File online through Ohio Business Central or by mail.
Before you register a trade name, make sure it’s available by searching the Ohio Secretary of State’s business name on the search website. (A fictitious name report doesn’t require the name to be available.)
You can also apply for a DBA in Ohio by completing the registration form and mailing it to:
Mailing address:
Secretary of State
P.O. Box 670
Columbus, OH 43216
The Ohio State DBA filing fee is $39.
What can you do once you have an available business name?
After you confirm your new LLC name availability, there are 3 more ways to secure it to ensure no one else uses it.
Consider name reservation
If you need more time to form your Ohio LLC, you can reserve it for 180 days by filing a name reservation (Form 534B) with the Ohio Secretary of State.
The fee is $39. For other fees, see our Ohio LLC cost guide.
Consider trademarking your name
You can also apply to register a trademark of your new LLC name to stop other businesses from using it by visiting the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and using its trademark search.
You should also search the USPTO trademark website to ensure another company has not marked your desired name. If it is registered and you use it, you could be liable for trademark infringement.
Consider domain registration
Your last step (but not least) is to perform a domain name search to confirm if your new LLC name is available as a domain.
You can use websites like GoDaddy to confirm your name’s availability. If it isn’t available as you spell it, there are options and strategies you can use to choose a domain name that suits your business, niche, and target audience.
Conclusion
Those are the steps for doing a business entity search in Ohio.
Remember to follow Ohio’s naming guidelines, consider registering a trademark, and get your domain.
If you need any further help with forming an LLC in Ohio, check out our article on creating an LLC in Ohio.
FAQ
You should perform a business entity search before applying to form your LLC to ensure your chosen name is available in Ohio State.
Check the Ohio Secretary of State’s Business Search page to confirm a name is available.
It costs $39 to reserve a business name in Ohio for 180 days.
Yes. If you do business under any name other than your LLC’s legal name, register it as a trade name or file a fictitious name report with the Ohio Secretary of State, online or by mail.
Just pick another one! Unfortunately, that’s really all you can do, since you can’t register a name that’s the same or too similar to one that’s already in use, unless the business that holds the name gives written consent on the Secretary of State’s form (ORC 1706.07).