Vendor setup
Register a business in Ohio
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in Ohio. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- Ohio entities are formed with the Secretary of State’s Business Services division. Filing is online at Ohio Business Central or on paper forms. Ohio Secretary of State, as of
Forming an LLC
- An Ohio LLC is formed by Articles of Organization (Form 610). Ohio Secretary of State, as of
- Expedited processing is optional, for an extra fee. Ohio Secretary of State, as of
- Articles of Organization filing fee: $99 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Ohio Secretary of State, as of
Forming a corporation
- An Ohio for-profit corporation files Initial Articles of Incorporation (Form 532A). Ohio Secretary of State, as of
- More authorized shares raise the fee on a graduated per-share scale. Ohio Secretary of State, as of
- Initial Articles of Incorporation, minimum fee (1 to 990 authorized shares): $99 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Ohio Secretary of State, as of
Annual or biennial report
- Ohio LLCs and ordinary for-profit corporations have no recurring report to file with the Secretary of State. Professional associations, LLPs, nonprofits and trade names have recurring filings. Ohio Secretary of State, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- Trade names are registered, and fictitious names reported, with the Secretary of State on Form 534A. Registration lasts five years (ORC 1329.04). Ohio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov), as of
- Form 534A filing fee: $39 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Ohio Secretary of State, as of
- Trade name renewal: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Ohio Secretary of State, as of
State tax registration
- A vendor’s licence is needed to make taxable retail sales. It is issued by the county auditor. Register through the Ohio Business Gateway or OH|TAX eServices. Ohio Department of Taxation, as of
- Vendor’s licence application fee, per fixed location: $50 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Ohio Department of Taxation, as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- Anyone operating an Ohio public swimming pool must obtain a licence to operate it from the local licensor (OAC 3701-31-04). The Department of Health administers the rules. Ohio Department of Health (codes.ohio.gov), as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
Sources
- Business Filing Forms & Fee Schedule Ohio Secretary of State. As of .
- Form 610, last revised 09/2025 Ohio Secretary of State. As of .
- Ohio Business FAQ Ohio Secretary of State. As of .
- Ohio Revised Code section 1329.04 Ohio Legislative Service Commission (codes.ohio.gov). As of .
- Vendor’s License Fee Change (notice of April 9, 2025) Ohio Department of Taxation. As of .
- Rule 3701-31-04, Ohio Administrative Code Ohio Department of Health (codes.ohio.gov). As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
Last checked