In Ohio, a “Doing Business As” (DBA) is officially referred to as a “trade name” or “fictitious name.” Registering a trade name or fictitious name allows a business to operate under a name different from its legal name. This can be beneficial for branding purposes or when expanding into new business areas.
For example, if you have an LLC called “Buckeye State Enterprises LLC” that you use for your general contracting business, but you want to start a separate home renovation service, you could register a trade name like “Columbus Home Makeovers” without forming a new LLC.
Filing for a trade name or fictitious name provides business owners with flexibility in branding without the need to create separate legal entities for each business venture.
Note that while a trade name or fictitious name allows you to do business under a different name, it doesn’t provide the legal protections that come with forming an LLC or corporation.
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Do You Need an Ohio DBA for Your Business Entity?
Before proceeding with the steps to get a DBA in Ohio, determine if it’s necessary for your business type:
Sole Proprietors and Partnerships: If you’re operating under a name other than your legal name, you need to register a trade name or fictitious name. For example, if John Smith wants to operate as “Cleveland Auto Repair,” he needs to register this as a trade name or fictitious name.
LLCs and Corporations: If these entities want to do business under a name different from their registered name, they need a trade name or fictitious name. For instance, if “Buckeye State Enterprises LLC” wants to operate as “Columbus Home Makeovers,” they would need to register this trade name or fictitious name.
How to Get a DBA in Ohio
Follow these steps to get a DBA in Ohio:
- Search the Ohio Secretary of State’s database to ensure your desired name is available.
- Check if your DBA is available as a domain name (optional).
- File your trade name or fictitious name registration.
- Pay the filing fee.
Step 1: Do a DBA Search in Ohio
Your trade name or fictitious name must be unique and comply with Ohio’s business name requirements. To check availability, use the Ohio Secretary of State’s Business Name Search:
Ensure your chosen name isn’t already in use and meets state requirements.
Step 2: Check if your name is available as a web domain
While not legally required, it’s wise to check if your trade name or fictitious name is available as a domain name for your future website. You can check domain availability at: godaddy.com/domains
Tips for choosing a domain:
- Aim for a .com domain if possible
- Avoid using hyphens between words
- Sometimes a quirky word (“guru”, “school” or “base”) makes for a good brand/domain.
Step 3: Register your Ohio DBA
In Ohio, you need to file a Name Registration with the Secretary of State. This can be done online or by mail:
You’ll need to provide the following information:
- Your desired trade name or fictitious name
- Your business’s legal name and address
- A brief description of the nature of your business
- The names and addresses of the business owners
Step 4: Pay the filing fee
The filing fee for registering a trade name or fictitious name in Ohio is $39. This fee is paid to the Secretary of State when you file your Name Registration.
Ohio trade name registrations are valid for five years. You must file a renewal before the expiration date to maintain your registration.
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After You Get a DBA For Your Limited Liability Company or Other Entity
Once you’ve secured your trade name or fictitious name, consider these next steps:
• Create a website: Establish an online presence for your business to reach more customers.
• Set up a business bank account: Keep your personal and business finances separate. We recommend Mercury Bank for online banking, but traditional banks are also an option.
• Obtain necessary licenses and permits: Ensure you have all required licenses and permits to operate legally in Ohio.
• Consider business insurance: Protect your business with appropriate insurance coverage.
By following these steps, you’ll have successfully registered your trade name or fictitious name (DBA) in Ohio and be well on your way to operating your business under your chosen name.
