Ohio Secretary of State Business Search Instructions

Last Updated on January 30, 2024

Besides registering business entities and corporations in the state, the Business Services Division of the Ohio Secretary of State also maintains a database where the details of every corporate entity registered with the Ohio Secretary of State are recorded. The filing and authorization details are also stored in the database for reference. The Business Services Division has details recorded for the following types of corporate entities:

• Corporations
• Limited Liability Companies
• Limited Companies
• Limited Partnerships
• Limited Liability Partnerships
• Foreign Entities

How to do an SOS Business Entity in Ohio

With the online registered business entity search tool facilitated by the Secretary of State of Ohio, you can search the database for any registered corporate entity in the state. For your search to continue, you need to have at least one of the following information handy with you:

• Business Name
• Business Status
• Entity Type

Here is a detailed step-by-step discussion to assist you in your search process. Read on to understand the process better:

Also see: How to start an LLC in Ohio

Search by Business Name

Step 1. Visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s website to go to the Search Page for registered business entities in Ohio. The page looks similar to the screenshot below:

Step 2. Let us conduct a sample search using an entity name as an example. Key in the entity name (for example, “Diebold“) in the “Business Name” field.

A list of businesses with this name will be returned.

Step 3. Click on the “Show Details” button for the businesses you would like more information from. In this example, we will look at Burchfield Diebold LLC.

Information provided includes:

• Entity Number
• Entity Type (Corporation, Limited Liability Company, etc.)
• Original Filing Date
• Business Name
• Status (Active means Good Standing, Dead means the business may be closed)
• Registered Agent Information
• Incorporator Information (Board of Directors, Members, etc.)
• Filings such as Articles of Organization (Limited Liability Company), Articles or Incorporation (Corporation) can be viewed.

Business Licenses

The business name registration is different from an Ohio business license.  The Ohio Department of Taxation has more information regarding Ohio business licenses.

Also see: How to do an Ohio UCC search

Information on SOS Ohio (OH)

The Office:
The Secretary of State of Ohio is an elected constitutional office within the state of Ohio. The term of office of the Ohio Secretary of State is four years (with a two-term limit).

Presently, the Secretary of State of Ohio is Frank Larose.

Functions:
The Ohio Secretary of State is responsible for a broad set of responsibilities. He administers public rules and oversees the public affairs of the state. He is also the chief of the Elections Division of the state. The Secretary of State of Ohio is the person in charge of registering and authorizing entities to open a small business in the state.

Ohio SOS Contact Information

180 East Broad Street, 16th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215

(614) 466-2655

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State Business Name Search Instructions