Ohio · checked 2026-09-03 · Source-backed guide

Ohio trade name filing guide

All covered entity types

Authority and fee for this entity route. Choose your entity below before filing.

Authority: secretary of stateSource: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

Supporting excerpt

(A) The secretary of state shall not file an application for the registration of any trade name if the application indicates or implies that the trade name is connected with a government agency of this state, another state, or the United States and the trade name is not so connected or if the application indicates or implies that the applicant is incorporated and the application is not incorporated. Additionally, the secretary of state shall not file an application for the registration of any trade name if it is not distinguishable upon the records in the office of the secretary of state from any other trade name previously registered under sections 1329.01 to 1329.03 of the Revised Code, any corporate name, whether nonprofit or for profit and whether that of a domestic corporation or of a foreign corporation authorized to do business in this state, the name of any limited liability company registered in the office of the secretary of state pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, whether domestic or foreign, the name of any limited liability partnership registered in the office of the secretary of state pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code, whether domestic or foreign, the name of any limited partnership registered in the office of the secretary of state pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, whether domestic or foreign, or any trademark, or service mark previously filed and recorded in the office of the secretary of state and not abandoned, unless the written consent of the corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or limited partnership, or the person to whom is registered the exclusive right to use the trade name is filed in accordance with division (C) of section 1701.05 of the Revised Code with the application or the written consent of the former registrant of the trademark or service mark is filed with the application. The application for the registration of a trade name and the consent form shall be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state. (B) The secretary of state shall determine for purposes of this section whether a name is distinguishable from another name in a manner consistent with the provisions of division (B) of section 1701.05 of the Revised Code.

Official fee: thirty-nine dollarsSource: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

Supporting excerpt

(2) A trade name or fictitious name registration or report, thirty-nine dollars; (3) An application to renew any item covered by division (S)(1) or (2) of this section that is permitted to be renewed, twenty-five dollars; (4) An assignment of rights for use of a name covered by division (S)(1), (2), or (3) of this section, the cancellation of a name registration or name reservation that is so covered, or notice of a change of address of the registrant of a name that is so covered, twenty-five dollars.

A current official filing link is not confirmed in this guide. Use the named authority to confirm the local procedure.

What Ohio calls a DBA

The official term documented here is trade name.

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

Supporting excerpt

(1) "Trade name" means a name used in business or trade to designate the business of the user and to which the user asserts a right to exclusive use. (2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.

The Ohio Revised Code uses the terms trade name and fictitious name for the filings governed by sections 1329.01 to 1329.10.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(1) "Trade name" means a name used in business or trade to designate the business of the user and to which the user asserts a right to exclusive use. (2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.
(2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.

A trade name is a name used in business or trade to designate the business of the user and to which the user asserts a right to exclusive use.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(1) "Trade name" means a name used in business or trade to designate the business of the user and to which the user asserts a right to exclusive use. (2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.
(2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.

A fictitious name is a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered, or is not entitled to register, as a trade name.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(1) "Trade name" means a name used in business or trade to designate the business of the user and to which the user asserts a right to exclusive use. (2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.
(2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.

Unlike states that split filings between the state and county clerks, Ohio routes every entity type to one office: the Ohio Secretary of State.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(1) "Trade name" means a name used in business or trade to designate the business of the user and to which the user asserts a right to exclusive use. (2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.
(2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.
(3) "Person" includes any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, corporation, association, professional association, limited liability company, society, foundation, federation, or organization formed under the laws of this state or any other state. (B) Except as provided in section 1701.041 of the Revised Code and subject to sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code, any person may register with the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, any trade name under which the person is operating, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the applicant for registration and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the applicant is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1776.05 of the Revised Code; (b) If the applicant is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under the laws of which it was formed. (2) The trade name to be registered; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the applicant; (4) The length of time during which the trade name has been used by the applicant in business operations in this state. (C) The trade name application shall be signed by the applicant or by any authorized representative of the applicant. A single trade name may be registered upon each trade name application submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The trade name application shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. (D) Any person who does business under a fictitious name and who has not registered and does not wish to register the fictitious name as a trade name or who cannot do so because the name is not available for registration shall report the use of the fictitious name to the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the user and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the user is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1775.105 of the Revised Code; (b) If the user is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under whose laws it was formed. (2) The fictitious name being used; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the user. (E) The report of use of a fictitious name shall be signed by the user or by any authorized representative of the user. A single fictitious name may be registered upon each fictitious name report submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The fictitious name report shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. A report under this division shall be made within thirty days after the date of the first use of the fictitious name.

The statute's definition of "person" covers any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, corporation, association, professional association, and limited liability company, so sole proprietors, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations all follow the same state-level process.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(1) "Trade name" means a name used in business or trade to designate the business of the user and to which the user asserts a right to exclusive use. (2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.
(2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.
(3) "Person" includes any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, corporation, association, professional association, limited liability company, society, foundation, federation, or organization formed under the laws of this state or any other state. (B) Except as provided in section 1701.041 of the Revised Code and subject to sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code, any person may register with the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, any trade name under which the person is operating, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the applicant for registration and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the applicant is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1776.05 of the Revised Code; (b) If the applicant is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under the laws of which it was formed. (2) The trade name to be registered; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the applicant; (4) The length of time during which the trade name has been used by the applicant in business operations in this state. (C) The trade name application shall be signed by the applicant or by any authorized representative of the applicant. A single trade name may be registered upon each trade name application submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The trade name application shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. (D) Any person who does business under a fictitious name and who has not registered and does not wish to register the fictitious name as a trade name or who cannot do so because the name is not available for registration shall report the use of the fictitious name to the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the user and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the user is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1775.105 of the Revised Code; (b) If the user is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under whose laws it was formed. (2) The fictitious name being used; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the user. (E) The report of use of a fictitious name shall be signed by the user or by any authorized representative of the user. A single fictitious name may be registered upon each fictitious name report submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The fictitious name report shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. A report under this division shall be made within thirty days after the date of the first use of the fictitious name.

Registering a trade name is optional, but anyone doing business under a fictitious name who has not registered it as a trade name must report the fictitious name to the Secretary of State within thirty days after first use.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(1) "Trade name" means a name used in business or trade to designate the business of the user and to which the user asserts a right to exclusive use. (2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.
(2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.
(3) "Person" includes any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, corporation, association, professional association, limited liability company, society, foundation, federation, or organization formed under the laws of this state or any other state. (B) Except as provided in section 1701.041 of the Revised Code and subject to sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code, any person may register with the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, any trade name under which the person is operating, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the applicant for registration and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the applicant is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1776.05 of the Revised Code; (b) If the applicant is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under the laws of which it was formed. (2) The trade name to be registered; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the applicant; (4) The length of time during which the trade name has been used by the applicant in business operations in this state. (C) The trade name application shall be signed by the applicant or by any authorized representative of the applicant. A single trade name may be registered upon each trade name application submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The trade name application shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. (D) Any person who does business under a fictitious name and who has not registered and does not wish to register the fictitious name as a trade name or who cannot do so because the name is not available for registration shall report the use of the fictitious name to the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the user and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the user is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1775.105 of the Revised Code; (b) If the user is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under whose laws it was formed. (2) The fictitious name being used; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the user. (E) The report of use of a fictitious name shall be signed by the user or by any authorized representative of the user. A single fictitious name may be registered upon each fictitious name report submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The fictitious name report shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. A report under this division shall be made within thirty days after the date of the first use of the fictitious name.

The statute distinguishes a trade name, for which the user asserts a right to exclusive use, from a fictitious name that is not registered or is not entitled to registration as a trade name.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(1) "Trade name" means a name used in business or trade to designate the business of the user and to which the user asserts a right to exclusive use. (2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.
(2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.

Under section 1329.10(B), a person using a trade name or fictitious name must comply with section 1329.01 before bringing or maintaining a court action in that name. Partnerships must also comply with section 1777.02. After compliance, an action may proceed on contracts or transactions entered into earlier.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

The secretary of state shall cancel from the secretary of state's files: (A) Any registration concerning which the secretary of state receives a voluntary request in writing, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, for cancellation of the registration from the registrant or the assignee of record; (B) All registrations granted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code that are not renewed in accordance with sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code; (C) Any registration that the secretary of state finds was granted improperly; (D) Any registration ordered cancelled by a court of competent jurisdiction on any ground. Section 1329.09 | Records to be kept for public examination. Effective: November 24, 1977 Latest Legislation: House Bill 296 - 112th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The secretary of state shall keep for public examination a record of all trade names registered and fictitious names reported or renewed under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. Section 1329.10 | Injunction - actions by and against user of trade name or fictitious name. Effective: October 20, 1978 Latest Legislation: House Bill 297 - 112th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The attorney general, upon the request of the secretary of state, shall bring an action for an injunction against any person who violates section 1329.01 or 1329.07 of the Revised Code, and who, after proper notification by the secretary of state, refuses or fails to comply with such section. (B) No person doing business under a trade name or fictitious name shall commence or maintain an action in the trade name or fictitious name in any court in this state or on account of any contracts made or transactions had in the trade name or fictitious name until it has first complied with section 1329.01 of the Revised Code and, if the person is a partnership, it has complied with section 1777.02 of the Revised Code, but upon compliance, such an action may be commenced or maintained on any contracts and transactions entered into prior to compliance. (C) An action may be commenced or maintained against the user of a trade name or fictitious name whether or not the name has been registered or reported in compliance with section 1329.01 of the Revised Code.

Search existing names

An official name-search entry point for Ohio is not confirmed in this guide. Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access. A search elsewhere is not a substitute for the filing authority’s own records.

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All covered entity types

Required: No universal yes/no answer is confirmed. Read the documented applicability below.

Authority: secretary of stateSource: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

Supporting excerpt

When this route applies: Any person who does business under a fictitious name and who has not registered and does not wish to register the fictitious name as a trade name or who cannot do so because the name is not available for registration shall report the use of the fictitious name to the secretary of stateSource: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

Supporting excerpt

(3) "Person" includes any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, corporation, association, professional association, limited liability company, society, foundation, federation, or organization formed under the laws of this state or any other state. (B) Except as provided in section 1701.041 of the Revised Code and subject to sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code, any person may register with the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, any trade name under which the person is operating, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the applicant for registration and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the applicant is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1776.05 of the Revised Code; (b) If the applicant is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under the laws of which it was formed. (2) The trade name to be registered; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the applicant; (4) The length of time during which the trade name has been used by the applicant in business operations in this state. (C) The trade name application shall be signed by the applicant or by any authorized representative of the applicant. A single trade name may be registered upon each trade name application submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The trade name application shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. (D) Any person who does business under a fictitious name and who has not registered and does not wish to register the fictitious name as a trade name or who cannot do so because the name is not available for registration shall report the use of the fictitious name to the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the user and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the user is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1775.105 of the Revised Code; (b) If the user is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under whose laws it was formed. (2) The fictitious name being used; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the user. (E) The report of use of a fictitious name shall be signed by the user or by any authorized representative of the user. A single fictitious name may be registered upon each fictitious name report submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The fictitious name report shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. A report under this division shall be made within thirty days after the date of the first use of the fictitious name.

Official form: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.

Form destination: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.

Online filing link: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.

Official fee: thirty-nine dollarsSource: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

Supporting excerpt

Effective duration: Registration of a trade name or report of a fictitious name, under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code, shall be effective for a term of five years from the date of registration or report.Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-02

Supporting excerpt

Registration of a trade name or report of a fictitious name, under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code, shall be effective for a term of five years from the date of registration or report.

Renewal: Upon application filed within six months prior to the expiration of such term, on a form furnished by the secretary of state, the registration or report may be renewed at the end of each five-year period for a like termSource: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

Supporting excerpt

Upon application filed within six months prior to the expiration of such term, on a form furnished by the secretary of state, the registration or report may be renewed at the end of each five-year period for a like term, provided that a general partnership shall renew its registration or report whenever any partner named on its registration or report ceases to be a partner. Such a renewal shall extend the registration or report for five years, unless further changes occur in the interim. The renewal fee specified in division (S)(3) of section 111.16 of the Revised Code, payable to the secretary of state, shall accompany the application for renewal of the registration or report. The secretary of state shall notify persons who have registered trade names or reported fictitious names, within the six months next preceding the expiration of the five years from the date of registration or report, of the necessity of renewal by ordinary or electronic mail to the last known physical or electronic mail address of such persons.

Changes or amendments: The registrant of any trade name or a person who reports a fictitious name shall record all changes of the registrant's business address by filing with the secretary of state a statement in writing, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, setting forth the name previously registered or reported, the date of the registration or report, and the new address of the applicant.Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

Supporting excerpt

Any trade name or fictitious name and its registration or report shall be assignable by an instrument in writing duly executed and may be recorded with the secretary of state upon the payment of the fee specified in division (S)(4) of section 111.16 of the Revised Code, payable to the secretary of state, who, recording the assignment, shall issue in the name of the assignee a new certificate for the remainder of the term of the registration or report or the last renewal thereof. The instrument shall be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state. Section 1329.07 | Change of business address. Effective: June 6, 2001 Latest Legislation: House Bill 94 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The registrant of any trade name or a person who reports a fictitious name shall record all changes of the registrant's business address by filing with the secretary of state a statement in writing, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, setting forth the name previously registered or reported, the date of the registration or report, and the new address of the applicant. The filing fee specified in division (S)(4) of section 111.16 of the Revised Code shall accompany the statement.

Abandonment or cancellation: The secretary of state shall cancel from the secretary of state's files: (A) Any registration concerning which the secretary of state receives a voluntary request in writing, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, for cancellation of the registration from the registrant or the assignee of recordSource: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

Supporting excerpt

The secretary of state shall cancel from the secretary of state's files: (A) Any registration concerning which the secretary of state receives a voluntary request in writing, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, for cancellation of the registration from the registrant or the assignee of record; (B) All registrations granted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code that are not renewed in accordance with sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code; (C) Any registration that the secretary of state finds was granted improperly; (D) Any registration ordered cancelled by a court of competent jurisdiction on any ground. Section 1329.09 | Records to be kept for public examination. Effective: November 24, 1977 Latest Legislation: House Bill 296 - 112th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The secretary of state shall keep for public examination a record of all trade names registered and fictitious names reported or renewed under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. Section 1329.10 | Injunction - actions by and against user of trade name or fictitious name. Effective: October 20, 1978 Latest Legislation: House Bill 297 - 112th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The attorney general, upon the request of the secretary of state, shall bring an action for an injunction against any person who violates section 1329.01 or 1329.07 of the Revised Code, and who, after proper notification by the secretary of state, refuses or fails to comply with such section. (B) No person doing business under a trade name or fictitious name shall commence or maintain an action in the trade name or fictitious name in any court in this state or on account of any contracts made or transactions had in the trade name or fictitious name until it has first complied with section 1329.01 of the Revised Code and, if the person is a partnership, it has complied with section 1777.02 of the Revised Code, but upon compliance, such an action may be commenced or maintained on any contracts and transactions entered into prior to compliance. (C) An action may be commenced or maintained against the user of a trade name or fictitious name whether or not the name has been registered or reported in compliance with section 1329.01 of the Revised Code.

Important exclusions: It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-02

Supporting excerpt

It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.

Mail filing: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.

In-person filing: Could not be confirmed because the official source blocked access.

How to file through the authority

All Ohio trade name registrations and fictitious name reports go to the Ohio Secretary of State; there is no county-level filing layer in this scheme.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(3) "Person" includes any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, corporation, association, professional association, limited liability company, society, foundation, federation, or organization formed under the laws of this state or any other state. (B) Except as provided in section 1701.041 of the Revised Code and subject to sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code, any person may register with the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, any trade name under which the person is operating, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the applicant for registration and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the applicant is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1776.05 of the Revised Code; (b) If the applicant is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under the laws of which it was formed. (2) The trade name to be registered; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the applicant; (4) The length of time during which the trade name has been used by the applicant in business operations in this state. (C) The trade name application shall be signed by the applicant or by any authorized representative of the applicant. A single trade name may be registered upon each trade name application submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The trade name application shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. (D) Any person who does business under a fictitious name and who has not registered and does not wish to register the fictitious name as a trade name or who cannot do so because the name is not available for registration shall report the use of the fictitious name to the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the user and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the user is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1775.105 of the Revised Code; (b) If the user is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under whose laws it was formed. (2) The fictitious name being used; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the user. (E) The report of use of a fictitious name shall be signed by the user or by any authorized representative of the user. A single fictitious name may be registered upon each fictitious name report submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The fictitious name report shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. A report under this division shall be made within thirty days after the date of the first use of the fictitious name.

The statute specifies the application’s required information. This guide cannot confirm the current form title or direct filing link; obtain the current instructions from the Secretary of State before submitting a document.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(3) "Person" includes any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, corporation, association, professional association, limited liability company, society, foundation, federation, or organization formed under the laws of this state or any other state. (B) Except as provided in section 1701.041 of the Revised Code and subject to sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code, any person may register with the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, any trade name under which the person is operating, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the applicant for registration and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the applicant is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1776.05 of the Revised Code; (b) If the applicant is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under the laws of which it was formed. (2) The trade name to be registered; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the applicant; (4) The length of time during which the trade name has been used by the applicant in business operations in this state. (C) The trade name application shall be signed by the applicant or by any authorized representative of the applicant. A single trade name may be registered upon each trade name application submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The trade name application shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. (D) Any person who does business under a fictitious name and who has not registered and does not wish to register the fictitious name as a trade name or who cannot do so because the name is not available for registration shall report the use of the fictitious name to the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the user and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the user is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1775.105 of the Revised Code; (b) If the user is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under whose laws it was formed. (2) The fictitious name being used; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the user. (E) The report of use of a fictitious name shall be signed by the user or by any authorized representative of the user. A single fictitious name may be registered upon each fictitious name report submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The fictitious name report shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. A report under this division shall be made within thirty days after the date of the first use of the fictitious name.

Under section 1329.01, the application states the applicant’s or user’s name and business address, the name to be registered or reported and the general nature of the business. A trade-name application also states how long the name has been used in Ohio. A general partnership provides at least one partner’s name and address or the identifying number assigned by the Secretary of State. An entity filer states its form and state of formation.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(3) "Person" includes any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, corporation, association, professional association, limited liability company, society, foundation, federation, or organization formed under the laws of this state or any other state. (B) Except as provided in section 1701.041 of the Revised Code and subject to sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code, any person may register with the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, any trade name under which the person is operating, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the applicant for registration and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the applicant is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1776.05 of the Revised Code; (b) If the applicant is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under the laws of which it was formed. (2) The trade name to be registered; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the applicant; (4) The length of time during which the trade name has been used by the applicant in business operations in this state. (C) The trade name application shall be signed by the applicant or by any authorized representative of the applicant. A single trade name may be registered upon each trade name application submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The trade name application shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. (D) Any person who does business under a fictitious name and who has not registered and does not wish to register the fictitious name as a trade name or who cannot do so because the name is not available for registration shall report the use of the fictitious name to the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the user and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the user is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1775.105 of the Revised Code; (b) If the user is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under whose laws it was formed. (2) The fictitious name being used; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the user. (E) The report of use of a fictitious name shall be signed by the user or by any authorized representative of the user. A single fictitious name may be registered upon each fictitious name report submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The fictitious name report shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. A report under this division shall be made within thirty days after the date of the first use of the fictitious name.

A single name is filed per application, and the application must be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars payable to the Secretary of State.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(2) A trade name or fictitious name registration or report, thirty-nine dollars; (3) An application to renew any item covered by division (S)(1) or (2) of this section that is permitted to be renewed, twenty-five dollars; (4) An assignment of rights for use of a name covered by division (S)(1), (2), or (3) of this section, the cancellation of a name registration or name reservation that is so covered, or notice of a change of address of the registrant of a name that is so covered, twenty-five dollars.

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(3) "Person" includes any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, corporation, association, professional association, limited liability company, society, foundation, federation, or organization formed under the laws of this state or any other state. (B) Except as provided in section 1701.041 of the Revised Code and subject to sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code, any person may register with the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, any trade name under which the person is operating, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the applicant for registration and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the applicant is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1776.05 of the Revised Code; (b) If the applicant is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under the laws of which it was formed. (2) The trade name to be registered; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the applicant; (4) The length of time during which the trade name has been used by the applicant in business operations in this state. (C) The trade name application shall be signed by the applicant or by any authorized representative of the applicant. A single trade name may be registered upon each trade name application submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The trade name application shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. (D) Any person who does business under a fictitious name and who has not registered and does not wish to register the fictitious name as a trade name or who cannot do so because the name is not available for registration shall report the use of the fictitious name to the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the user and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the user is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1775.105 of the Revised Code; (b) If the user is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under whose laws it was formed. (2) The fictitious name being used; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the user. (E) The report of use of a fictitious name shall be signed by the user or by any authorized representative of the user. A single fictitious name may be registered upon each fictitious name report submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The fictitious name report shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. A report under this division shall be made within thirty days after the date of the first use of the fictitious name.

This guide cannot confirm a direct online filing destination from the reviewed evidence.

Before filing, compare the proposed trade name with names on the Secretary of State’s records. Section 1329.02(A) generally prevents registration when a trade name is not distinguishable from the names and marks it lists, but it permits the specified written-consent exceptions. The Secretary of State determines distinguishability under section 1329.02(B).

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(A) The secretary of state shall not file an application for the registration of any trade name if the application indicates or implies that the trade name is connected with a government agency of this state, another state, or the United States and the trade name is not so connected or if the application indicates or implies that the applicant is incorporated and the application is not incorporated. Additionally, the secretary of state shall not file an application for the registration of any trade name if it is not distinguishable upon the records in the office of the secretary of state from any other trade name previously registered under sections 1329.01 to 1329.03 of the Revised Code, any corporate name, whether nonprofit or for profit and whether that of a domestic corporation or of a foreign corporation authorized to do business in this state, the name of any limited liability company registered in the office of the secretary of state pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, whether domestic or foreign, the name of any limited liability partnership registered in the office of the secretary of state pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code, whether domestic or foreign, the name of any limited partnership registered in the office of the secretary of state pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, whether domestic or foreign, or any trademark, or service mark previously filed and recorded in the office of the secretary of state and not abandoned, unless the written consent of the corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or limited partnership, or the person to whom is registered the exclusive right to use the trade name is filed in accordance with division (C) of section 1701.05 of the Revised Code with the application or the written consent of the former registrant of the trademark or service mark is filed with the application. The application for the registration of a trade name and the consent form shall be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state. (B) The secretary of state shall determine for purposes of this section whether a name is distinguishable from another name in a manner consistent with the provisions of division (B) of section 1701.05 of the Revised Code.

Renewal, amendment, and abandonment

A trade name registration or fictitious name report in Ohio is effective for a term of five years from the date of registration or report.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-02

Registration of a trade name or report of a fictitious name, under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code, shall be effective for a term of five years from the date of registration or report.

The registration or report may be renewed at the end of each five-year period for a like term by an application filed within six months prior to expiration on a form furnished by the Secretary of State.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

Upon application filed within six months prior to the expiration of such term, on a form furnished by the secretary of state, the registration or report may be renewed at the end of each five-year period for a like term, provided that a general partnership shall renew its registration or report whenever any partner named on its registration or report ceases to be a partner. Such a renewal shall extend the registration or report for five years, unless further changes occur in the interim. The renewal fee specified in division (S)(3) of section 111.16 of the Revised Code, payable to the secretary of state, shall accompany the application for renewal of the registration or report. The secretary of state shall notify persons who have registered trade names or reported fictitious names, within the six months next preceding the expiration of the five years from the date of registration or report, of the necessity of renewal by ordinary or electronic mail to the last known physical or electronic mail address of such persons.

The section 111.16 fee schedule sets the renewal fee at twenty-five dollars, and the Secretary of State must notify registrants, within the six months preceding expiration, of the necessity of renewal by ordinary or electronic mail.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(2) A trade name or fictitious name registration or report, thirty-nine dollars; (3) An application to renew any item covered by division (S)(1) or (2) of this section that is permitted to be renewed, twenty-five dollars; (4) An assignment of rights for use of a name covered by division (S)(1), (2), or (3) of this section, the cancellation of a name registration or name reservation that is so covered, or notice of a change of address of the registrant of a name that is so covered, twenty-five dollars.

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

Upon application filed within six months prior to the expiration of such term, on a form furnished by the secretary of state, the registration or report may be renewed at the end of each five-year period for a like term, provided that a general partnership shall renew its registration or report whenever any partner named on its registration or report ceases to be a partner. Such a renewal shall extend the registration or report for five years, unless further changes occur in the interim. The renewal fee specified in division (S)(3) of section 111.16 of the Revised Code, payable to the secretary of state, shall accompany the application for renewal of the registration or report. The secretary of state shall notify persons who have registered trade names or reported fictitious names, within the six months next preceding the expiration of the five years from the date of registration or report, of the necessity of renewal by ordinary or electronic mail to the last known physical or electronic mail address of such persons.

A general partnership must renew its registration or report whenever any partner named on it ceases to be a partner.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

Upon application filed within six months prior to the expiration of such term, on a form furnished by the secretary of state, the registration or report may be renewed at the end of each five-year period for a like term, provided that a general partnership shall renew its registration or report whenever any partner named on its registration or report ceases to be a partner. Such a renewal shall extend the registration or report for five years, unless further changes occur in the interim. The renewal fee specified in division (S)(3) of section 111.16 of the Revised Code, payable to the secretary of state, shall accompany the application for renewal of the registration or report. The secretary of state shall notify persons who have registered trade names or reported fictitious names, within the six months next preceding the expiration of the five years from the date of registration or report, of the necessity of renewal by ordinary or electronic mail to the last known physical or electronic mail address of such persons.

For changes short of renewal, the statute requires the registrant or user to record all changes of business address by filing a written statement on the prescribed form, and it allows a trade name or fictitious name and its registration or report to be assigned by a written instrument recorded with the Secretary of State, who issues a new certificate to the assignee for the remainder of the term; the fee schedule charges twenty-five dollars for an assignment, a cancellation, or a notice of change of address.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(2) A trade name or fictitious name registration or report, thirty-nine dollars; (3) An application to renew any item covered by division (S)(1) or (2) of this section that is permitted to be renewed, twenty-five dollars; (4) An assignment of rights for use of a name covered by division (S)(1), (2), or (3) of this section, the cancellation of a name registration or name reservation that is so covered, or notice of a change of address of the registrant of a name that is so covered, twenty-five dollars.

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

Any trade name or fictitious name and its registration or report shall be assignable by an instrument in writing duly executed and may be recorded with the secretary of state upon the payment of the fee specified in division (S)(4) of section 111.16 of the Revised Code, payable to the secretary of state, who, recording the assignment, shall issue in the name of the assignee a new certificate for the remainder of the term of the registration or report or the last renewal thereof. The instrument shall be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state. Section 1329.07 | Change of business address. Effective: June 6, 2001 Latest Legislation: House Bill 94 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The registrant of any trade name or a person who reports a fictitious name shall record all changes of the registrant's business address by filing with the secretary of state a statement in writing, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, setting forth the name previously registered or reported, the date of the registration or report, and the new address of the applicant. The filing fee specified in division (S)(4) of section 111.16 of the Revised Code shall accompany the statement.

To end a filing, the registrant or assignee of record may send a voluntary written request for cancellation on the prescribed form, and the Secretary of State also cancels registrations that are not renewed, were granted improperly, or are ordered cancelled by a court.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

The secretary of state shall cancel from the secretary of state's files: (A) Any registration concerning which the secretary of state receives a voluntary request in writing, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, for cancellation of the registration from the registrant or the assignee of record; (B) All registrations granted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code that are not renewed in accordance with sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code; (C) Any registration that the secretary of state finds was granted improperly; (D) Any registration ordered cancelled by a court of competent jurisdiction on any ground. Section 1329.09 | Records to be kept for public examination. Effective: November 24, 1977 Latest Legislation: House Bill 296 - 112th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The secretary of state shall keep for public examination a record of all trade names registered and fictitious names reported or renewed under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. Section 1329.10 | Injunction - actions by and against user of trade name or fictitious name. Effective: October 20, 1978 Latest Legislation: House Bill 297 - 112th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The attorney general, upon the request of the secretary of state, shall bring an action for an injunction against any person who violates section 1329.01 or 1329.07 of the Revised Code, and who, after proper notification by the secretary of state, refuses or fails to comply with such section. (B) No person doing business under a trade name or fictitious name shall commence or maintain an action in the trade name or fictitious name in any court in this state or on account of any contracts made or transactions had in the trade name or fictitious name until it has first complied with section 1329.01 of the Revised Code and, if the person is a partnership, it has complied with section 1777.02 of the Revised Code, but upon compliance, such an action may be commenced or maintained on any contracts and transactions entered into prior to compliance. (C) An action may be commenced or maintained against the user of a trade name or fictitious name whether or not the name has been registered or reported in compliance with section 1329.01 of the Revised Code.

Publication and notice

Publication could not be confirmed for all covered entity types. No requirement or exemption is asserted.

Next steps: self-file first

Start with the free official source.

Use the current official instructions for the selected trade-name registration or fictitious-name report, and confirm the statutory thirty-nine dollar filing fee before submitting the application.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(2) A trade name or fictitious name registration or report, thirty-nine dollars; (3) An application to renew any item covered by division (S)(1) or (2) of this section that is permitted to be renewed, twenty-five dollars; (4) An assignment of rights for use of a name covered by division (S)(1), (2), or (3) of this section, the cancellation of a name registration or name reservation that is so covered, or notice of a change of address of the registrant of a name that is so covered, twenty-five dollars.

Check the Secretary of State’s records before applying to register a trade name. A name that is not distinguishable under section 1329.02(A) is subject to refusal unless a specified written-consent exception applies.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(A) The secretary of state shall not file an application for the registration of any trade name if the application indicates or implies that the trade name is connected with a government agency of this state, another state, or the United States and the trade name is not so connected or if the application indicates or implies that the applicant is incorporated and the application is not incorporated. Additionally, the secretary of state shall not file an application for the registration of any trade name if it is not distinguishable upon the records in the office of the secretary of state from any other trade name previously registered under sections 1329.01 to 1329.03 of the Revised Code, any corporate name, whether nonprofit or for profit and whether that of a domestic corporation or of a foreign corporation authorized to do business in this state, the name of any limited liability company registered in the office of the secretary of state pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, whether domestic or foreign, the name of any limited liability partnership registered in the office of the secretary of state pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code, whether domestic or foreign, the name of any limited partnership registered in the office of the secretary of state pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, whether domestic or foreign, or any trademark, or service mark previously filed and recorded in the office of the secretary of state and not abandoned, unless the written consent of the corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or limited partnership, or the person to whom is registered the exclusive right to use the trade name is filed in accordance with division (C) of section 1701.05 of the Revised Code with the application or the written consent of the former registrant of the trademark or service mark is filed with the application. The application for the registration of a trade name and the consent form shall be on a form prescribed by the secretary of state. (B) The secretary of state shall determine for purposes of this section whether a name is distinguishable from another name in a manner consistent with the provisions of division (B) of section 1701.05 of the Revised Code.

Decide whether you are registering a trade name, which asserts exclusive use, or reporting a fictitious name, which is a notice filing that leaves the name open to others; if you do business under a fictitious name without trade name registration, the report is due within thirty days of first use.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

(1) "Trade name" means a name used in business or trade to designate the business of the user and to which the user asserts a right to exclusive use. (2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.
(2) "Fictitious name" means a name used in business or trade that is fictitious and that the user has not registered or is not entitled to register as a trade name. It does not include the name of record of any domestic corporation that is formed under Chapter 1701. or 1702. of the Revised Code, any foreign corporation that is registered pursuant to Chapter 1703. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited liability company that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1705. or 1706. of the Revised Code, any domestic or foreign limited partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1782. of the Revised Code, or any domestic or foreign limited liability partnership that is formed under or registered pursuant to Chapter 1775. or 1776. of the Revised Code.
(3) "Person" includes any individual, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, corporation, association, professional association, limited liability company, society, foundation, federation, or organization formed under the laws of this state or any other state. (B) Except as provided in section 1701.041 of the Revised Code and subject to sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code, any person may register with the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, any trade name under which the person is operating, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the applicant for registration and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the applicant is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1776.05 of the Revised Code; (b) If the applicant is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under the laws of which it was formed. (2) The trade name to be registered; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the applicant; (4) The length of time during which the trade name has been used by the applicant in business operations in this state. (C) The trade name application shall be signed by the applicant or by any authorized representative of the applicant. A single trade name may be registered upon each trade name application submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The trade name application shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. (D) Any person who does business under a fictitious name and who has not registered and does not wish to register the fictitious name as a trade name or who cannot do so because the name is not available for registration shall report the use of the fictitious name to the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, setting forth all of the following: (1) The name and business address of the user and any of the following that is applicable: (a) If the user is a general partnership, the name and address of at least one partner or the identifying number the secretary of state assigns to the partnership pursuant to section 1775.105 of the Revised Code; (b) If the user is a limited partnership, a corporation, professional association, limited liability company, or other entity, the form of the entity and the state under whose laws it was formed. (2) The fictitious name being used; (3) The general nature of the business conducted by the user. (E) The report of use of a fictitious name shall be signed by the user or by any authorized representative of the user. A single fictitious name may be registered upon each fictitious name report submitted under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code. The fictitious name report shall be accompanied by a filing fee of thirty-nine dollars, payable to the secretary of state. A report under this division shall be made within thirty days after the date of the first use of the fictitious name.

Mark your calendar for the five-year expiration and the six-month renewal window.

Official sources and supporting excerpts

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-02

Registration of a trade name or report of a fictitious name, under sections 1329.01 to 1329.10 of the Revised Code, shall be effective for a term of five years from the date of registration or report.

Source: codes.ohio.gov official record · retrieved 2026-09-03

Upon application filed within six months prior to the expiration of such term, on a form furnished by the secretary of state, the registration or report may be renewed at the end of each five-year period for a like term, provided that a general partnership shall renew its registration or report whenever any partner named on its registration or report ceases to be a partner. Such a renewal shall extend the registration or report for five years, unless further changes occur in the interim. The renewal fee specified in division (S)(3) of section 111.16 of the Revised Code, payable to the secretary of state, shall accompany the application for renewal of the registration or report. The secretary of state shall notify persons who have registered trade names or reported fictitious names, within the six months next preceding the expiration of the five years from the date of registration or report, of the necessity of renewal by ordinary or electronic mail to the last known physical or electronic mail address of such persons.

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codes.ohio.gov · 2026-09-03 · automated
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