Run by the Secretary of State. It covers corporations, LLCs, nonprofits, and partnerships.
Ohio Secretary of State | Business Entity Search
The Ohio Secretary of State offers a free Business Search with several ways in — name, agent, organizer, or number. Ohio is also notably low-maintenance: most LLCs and corporations never file an annual report at all.
Business Name Availability Check
State of Ohio
What the Ohio Business Search Covers
Each record lists the charter/entity number, status, statutory agent, principal address, and images of past filings.
Searching and downloading filing images is free — and most entities owe no annual report.
How to Search by Business Name
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1
Open the Ohio business search
Go to the Secretary of State's Business Search, or use the direct link below. It is free and public.
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Choose a search method
Search by Business Name, Exact Business Name, Prior Business Name, Agent/Registrant, Organizer/Incorporator, or Number Search.
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Read the results
Results show matching entities with their entity number and status — active, hold, canceled, or dead.
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Open Show Details
Click Show Details to view the record and obtain images of the entity's past filings.
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Note the charter / entity number
The entity number (called a charter number for domestic corporations) is the entity's unique identifier.
Ready to try it? Open the official business search and run your query.
Search Ohio businesses ↗All the Ways to Search Ohio Records
Business Name
Search by name, or use Exact Business Name and Prior Business Name. The most common starting point.
Open this search ↗Agent / Registrant
Search by the statutory agent or registrant name.
Open this search ↗Organizer / Incorporator
Search by the organizer or incorporator named on the filing.
Open this search ↗Number Search
Go straight to one record using the entity (charter) number.
Open this search ↗Rules That Make Your Search Work
- Search by name, exact name, prior name, agent, organizer, or number.
- Status values are active, hold, canceled, or dead.
- Click Show Details to view records and download images of past filings.
- Searching is free and public.
- The entity number is the charter number for domestic corporations.
- Ohio requires no annual report for most LLCs and corporations.
Reading the Entity Detail Page
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Entity / Charter Number | The entity's unique number, called a charter number for domestic corporations. |
| Business Name | The registered legal name, with prior names searchable too. |
| Status | Active, hold, canceled, or dead, as defined by the Secretary of State. |
| Entity Type | The structure, such as a Domestic or Foreign LLC, Corporation, or Nonprofit. |
| Effective / Filing Date | The date the entity was formed in Ohio or registered as a foreign entity. |
| Statutory Agent | Ohio's registered agent: the name and address designated to receive legal documents. |
| Principal Address | The entity's principal business address as most recently reported. |
| Filing Images | Images of the entity's past filings, available from Show Details. |
Two official references help you go further:
How to View and Download a Company's Filings
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Open the entity’s record
Search by name, agent, organizer, or number and click Show Details.
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Open the filing images
From Show Details, view and download images of the entity’s past filings.
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Note the charter number
Record the entity (charter) number for any future filing or certificate request.
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Order a certificate if needed
Order a certificate of good standing from the Secretary of State when a bank, court, or contract requires one.
No annual report: Ohio does not require an annual report for most LLCs and corporations — a rare convenience. Nonprofits file a Statement of Continued Existence every five years.
Ohio Business Search - Common Questions
Is the Ohio business search free?
Yes. The Business Search is free and public, and you can download images of past filings.
What is a charter number?
It is the entity number for an Ohio business; for domestic corporations it is called the charter number.
Does Ohio require an annual report?
No. Ohio does not require an annual report for most LLCs and corporations — one of the few states with no such filing. Nonprofits file a Statement of Continued Existence every five years.
What do the status values mean?
Ohio uses active, hold, canceled, or dead to describe an entity's standing.
How do I view past filings?
Click Show Details on the record to view and download images of the entity's past filings.
A name is available in Ohio. Does that mean I can use it?
Not necessarily. State availability does not clear a name against federal trademarks. Run a USPTO trademark screen and check domain and social-handle availability before committing.