Ohio Business Search
Look up any Ohio company in the state's official business search.
Find any Ohio LLC or corporation, check whether it is active, and see where to get proof of good standing.
Last updated November 5, 2026
Look up a Ohio company
Ohio only allows its search on its own site, so this opens in a new tab. It finds the company, not usually its EIN.
What the Ohio business search shows
The Ohio Secretary of State business search finds a company by business name, entity number, agent or filing date. It finds a company by business name, entity number, agent or filing date. Use it to confirm a company exists and is active, not to get its federal number.
The Secretary of State's FAQ says the office does not issue a tax ID or EIN.
The Ohio charter or registration number
The Ohio Secretary of State gives every company a charter or registration number when it is formed, such as 202613306464. It identifies the company in state records, and it is not the company’s EIN.
Check if an Ohio LLC is active
Search the company in the Ohio business search and open its record. The status tells you whether the state counts the company as active. Words such as dissolved, revoked, forfeited, inactive or delinquent mean it is not in good standing, usually because an annual filing or fee was missed, and the company may need to be reinstated before it can do business there.
To prove a company is in good standing to a bank, a lender or another state, order a Certificate of Good Standing from the Ohio Secretary of State. Our LLC status check reads the status from public data where a state publishes it.
Good to know in Ohio
- Ohio routes essentially all state tax registration through one portal, the Ohio Business Gateway, rather than separate agency sign-ups. You will be asked for the EIN there, which is why Ohio owners usually need the EIN before they can finish setting the business up.
- Ohio levies a Commercial Activity Tax on gross receipts rather than a traditional corporate income tax, so an Ohio LLC's state obligation does not track the federal tax classification the way it does in most states.
- Ohio does not require LLCs to file an annual or biennial report with the Secretary of State, which is unusual; most states do.
Found your Ohio company but it has no EIN yet? We prepare and file the application and email you the number.
Start Now →Questions
How do I search for a business in Ohio?
Use the Ohio Secretary of State business search, which finds a company by business name, entity number, agent or filing date. Search by the main words of the name, without LLC or Inc, so small differences do not hide the company.
Does the Ohio business search show a company's EIN?
Generally not. The EIN comes from the IRS, and Ohio's business records are kept for the state's own purposes. A Form W-9 from the company is the reliable way to get it.
How do I check if an Ohio LLC is active?
Search the company by name and open its record. The status shows whether Ohio counts it as active. Words like dissolved, revoked, forfeited, inactive or delinquent mean it is not in good standing, often because an annual filing or fee was missed.
How do I get proof that an Ohio company is in good standing?
Order a Certificate of Good Standing from the Ohio Secretary of State. Banks, lenders and other states ask for it as proof the company exists and is current.
What is an Ohio charter or registration number?
It is the number the Ohio Secretary of State gives a company when it is formed, and it identifies the company in state records. It is not the company's EIN, which comes from the IRS.
More for Ohio companies
- Ohio EIN lookup: where a company’s federal number can be found.
- EIN for an Ohio business: what Ohio asks for after the EIN.
- LLC name check and LLC status check.
- Business search in other states.
Sources
Get Your EIN the Easy Way
Answer a few questions in about 5 minutes. Our specialists prepare your IRS Form SS-4, file it, personally handle any rejection or name conflict along the way, and get your EIN to you, typically within 2 to 4 business days, or about 11 when the IRS requires the application by fax.
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You can also apply for an EIN directly with the IRS at irs.gov at no cost.