What must a trade name or DBA do to be compliant in Ohio?

To be compliant in Ohio, a trade name or "doing business as" (DBA) must be registered with the Ohio Secretary of State. This requirement ensures that the business operates under a recognized name and allows for public awareness and transparency regarding business entities in the state. The registration process also helps to prevent confusion among consumers and ensures that multiple businesses do not operate under the same name.

While obtaining a local business license may be necessary for operating a business in certain jurisdictions, it does not specifically pertain to the requirement for registering a trade name. Similarly, filing with the county recorder does not directly address the state-level registration requirement for DBAs. Registering with the IRS is mainly concerned with tax identification purposes and does not apply to the trade name compliance process. Therefore, registering with the Ohio Secretary of State is the essential step for a trade name or DBA to be legally recognized.