Ohio LLC Filing – Articles of Organization

In order to form an Ohio LLC, Articles of Organization must be filed with the Ohio Secretary of State.  The Secretary of State may accept the articles if there is not an existing company organized, in Ohio, with the same or similar name.

There is a common misconception that filing with the State, alone, creates a company and limits personal liability. That is simply not true.

If the Articles are accepted by the Secretary of State, the limited liability company has the right to operate in Ohio. Registering with the Ohio Secretary of State, alone does not automatically provide limited liability protection. Failure to follow the proper protocols after registration will result in the loss of your limited liability status.

In addition, registration with the State does not automatically result in protection of your Company’s name. It is possible to register with the State of Ohio and still be sued for Trademark infringement. See Trademark Law for more information.

About the Author

Elliott Stapleton

Elliott is a partner in the firm of Cornetet, Meyer, Rush and Stapleton serving clients throughout Ohio. Elliott's business clients range from small single member companies to large privately-held businesses. CMRS Law provides legal services which include advice on Business Formation and Transactions, Real Estate Transactions, Trademark Law, Copyright Law, Estate Planning, Trust Administration, Probate Administration, and Succession Planning. CMRS Law serves clients at two locations: 123 Boggs Lane, 1st Floor, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246 and 2101 Grandin Road, Suite A, Cincinnati, OH 45208