Ohio Secretary of State Business Search
Free access to Ohio's official Secretary of State business entity database (Ohio Secretary of State Business Services Portal (bsportal.ohiosos.gov)). Search corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and verify business entities registered in Ohio. Complete step-by-step guide and FAQ included.
Ohio Business Database
Direct link to Ohio Secretary of State Business Services Portal - Free Ohio business search
How to Search Ohio Business Entities
Step 1: Access the Official Ohio SOS Business Portal
Navigate to the official Ohio Secretary of State business entity search portal at bsportal.ohiosos.gov/ or businesssearch.ohiosos.gov/. You can also access it through ohiosos.gov/businesses/ or ohio.gov/business/resources/business-search. These are the free, government-operated databases for all Ohio business entities including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
Select how you want to search: by business name (most common), entity number, or registered agent name. The business name search allows you to search for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other business entities. You can refine your search by selecting filters such as 'All', 'Active', 'Canceled', or 'Dead' to narrow down the results.
Step 3: Enter Search Criteria
Type the business name in the search box. Try variations: with and without business suffixes (LLC, Inc, Corp, L.L.C.), partial names if exact match doesn't work, and check for common abbreviations. Ohio's search is case-insensitive and supports partial name matching. Use the status filters (All, Active, Canceled, Dead) to narrow results if needed.
Step 4: Review Search Results
Browse the results list to find your business. Each result shows the entity name, type, filing date, status, and location. Ohio's database typically shows multiple results if there are similar business names, so review carefully to find the correct entity. Click on the 'Show Details' button next to the desired business to access comprehensive information.
Step 5: View Detailed Entity Information
The detailed view provides comprehensive information including entity number, filing type, original filing date, business status, agent/registrant information, filings and associated documents, principal office address, and registered agent details. Verify all information matches what you expect for the business you're researching.
Step 6: Verify Business Status
Check that the business status shows 'Active' or 'Good Standing'. If it shows 'Canceled', 'Dead', 'Dissolved', 'Merged', 'Withdrawn', or 'Revoked', the business may not be in good standing with the state. Active status indicates the business is current with all required filings and annual reports. Ohio requires annual reports to maintain active status.
Official Ohio Business Database
The Ohio Secretary of State maintains the official business entity database through <strong className="text-white">Ohio Secretary of State Business Services Portal (bsportal.ohiosos.gov)</strong>. This free government database contains information about all business entities registered in Ohio.
What's Included in the Database:
- • Corporations: C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit corporations, Professional corporations
- • LLCs: Limited Liability Companies (domestic and foreign), Professional LLCs
- • Partnerships: Limited partnerships, Limited liability partnerships
- • Foreign Entities: Out-of-state businesses registered to do business in Ohio
- • Professional Entities: Professional corporations and professional LLCs
- • Business Trusts: Statutory trusts and other business structures
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search for a business in Ohio?
To search for an Ohio business, visit the official Ohio Secretary of State Business Services Portal at bsportal.ohiosos.gov/ or businesssearch.ohiosos.gov/. You can also access it through ohiosos.gov/businesses/ or ohio.gov/business/resources/business-search. You can search by business name, entity number, or registered agent name. The database includes corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other business entities registered in Ohio.
What is the official Ohio Secretary of State business search website?
The official Ohio Secretary of State business entity search portal is available at bsportal.ohiosos.gov/ or businesssearch.ohiosos.gov/. You can also access it through ohiosos.gov/businesses/ or ohio.gov/business/resources/business-search. This is the free, government-operated database where you can search for all business entities registered in Ohio, including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
What information can I find in the Ohio SOS business database?
The Ohio SOS database provides entity name, type, filing date, status, location, entity number, filing type, original filing date, business status, agent/registrant information, filings and associated documents, principal office address, and registered agent details.
Is the Ohio business search free?
Yes, the Ohio Secretary of State business entity search is completely free. The official search portal at bsportal.ohiosos.gov/ or businesssearch.ohiosos.gov/ provides free access to search and view business entity information. Some third-party sites may charge fees, but the official state database is free to use.
How do I verify an Ohio business is legitimate?
To verify an Ohio business, search the Business Services Portal for the business name, check that the status shows 'Active' or 'Good Standing', verify the agent/registrant information and address match what you expect, review the original filing date and entity number, check the filing history, and cross-reference with business licenses if applicable. Always use the official Ohio Secretary of State database for verification.
Can I search Ohio businesses by entity number?
Yes, the Ohio SOS database allows you to search by entity number, which is the unique identifier assigned by the Ohio Secretary of State to each business entity. You can also search by business name or registered agent name. The entity number is useful for finding specific businesses when you have the exact number.
What types of business entities are registered in Ohio?
Ohio registers various business entity types including corporations (C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit), Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, professional entities, and foreign entities registered to do business in Ohio. All of these can be searched through the official database at bsportal.ohiosos.gov/.
How do I check if a business name is available in Ohio?
To check if a business name is available in Ohio, use the official business search at bsportal.ohiosos.gov/ or businesssearch.ohiosos.gov/. Search for the exact name you want to use. If no results appear, the name may be available. However, you should also check for similar names and consult with the Ohio Secretary of State for official name availability confirmation before filing. Ohio requires that business names be distinguishable from existing entities.
What is the Business Services Portal in Ohio?
The Business Services Portal (bsportal.ohiosos.gov) is Ohio's online business services portal that provides access to business entity searches, online filings, and other business services. It is the primary portal for searching and managing business entities registered with the Ohio Secretary of State.
What is an entity number in Ohio?
An entity number is the unique identifier assigned by the Ohio Secretary of State to each business entity registered in the state. This number is used for official filings, searches, and record-keeping. You can search for businesses using their entity number in the Business Services Portal.
How often do Ohio businesses need to file annual reports?
Ohio requires most business entities to file annual reports to maintain active status. The filing requirements and deadlines vary by entity type. Corporations and LLCs typically must file annual reports with the Ohio Secretary of State. Check the entity's detailed information in the database to see filing history and status. Late filings may result in penalties or administrative dissolution.
What do the status filters mean in Ohio business search?
Ohio's business search allows you to filter results by status: 'All' shows all entities regardless of status, 'Active' shows only currently active businesses in good standing, 'Canceled' shows entities that have been canceled, and 'Dead' shows entities that are no longer active. Use these filters to narrow your search results to find the specific type of entity you're looking for.
About Ohio Secretary of State Business Search
What is the Ohio SOS Business Search?
The Ohio Secretary of State business search is the official government database that contains information about all business entities registered in Ohio. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures operating in OH.
When you search "secretary of state oh business search," you're looking for this official database to verify business registrations, check entity status, and conduct due diligence on Ohio businesses.
What Information Can You Find?
- •Business entity name and type (Corporation, LLC, etc.)
- •Registration date and current status
- •Registered agent information
- •Principal office address
- •Officers and directors (for corporations)
- •Annual report filing status
Why Use the Official Ohio SOS Database?
The official Ohio Secretary of State database (Ohio Secretary of State Business Services Portal (bsportal.ohiosos.gov)) is the most reliable source for business entity information. It's free, updated in real-time, and provides authoritative data directly from the state government. Unlike third-party services that may charge fees or have outdated information, the official database ensures you're getting accurate, current business entity data for Ohio. Always verify business entities through the official OH SOS database before entering into business relationships or financial transactions.
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