STEP 3: Register your business in Ohio
Depending on your business structure, there are different ways to register your business in the state:
- Sole proprietorship: There are no legal documents required to be filed with a sole proprietorship
- 2. General partnership: General partnerships can legally conduct business in Ohio without filing forms with the Secretary of State, however you can still submit filings if you want.
- Limited partnership: Limited partnerships must file forms with the Secretary of State to conduct business in Ohio. These forms include the Certificate of Limited Partnership, Statutory Agent Updates, Amendments, Cancellations of Partnership, Dissociations and Dissolutions.
- Limited liability partnership: A limited liability partnership must file a Statement of Qualification with the Secretary of State. Statements of Qualification are available from the Secretary of State’s Office.
- LLC: To form and LLC in Ohio you must file Articles of Organization for a Domestic Limited Liability Company (Form 533 A) with the Ohio Secretary of State.
- Corporation: You must Articles of Incorporation, appoint a statutory agent and file this appointment with the Secretary of State.