Corporations are business entities that limit the liability of their owners and stockholders, but their select status requires a much greater level of documentation both during start-up and administration. Follow these steps if you plan to incorporate in Ohio.
Instructions
1. Visit the Ohio Business Portal (see Resources, below), and download Form 532 for domestic profit corporations. You can also contact the Secretary of State's office by calling (614) 466-3910.
2. Find out whether the name you wish to use is available for your corporation. Use the online search system to look for the name that you are considering using. There is no cost to use this service.
3. Reserve your corporation's name before completing the Initial Articles of Incorporation. This can be done online or by using the Name Reservation form available for download. A fee is required to reserve your business name.
4. Complete and remit the Initial Articles of Incorporation. The Initial Articles of Incorporation require the name of the business and several other details about the business. There is a fee for processing the Initial Articles of Incorporation.
5. Expect to wait between 4 and 6 weeks for the paperwork to be processed with the Ohio State Department. Once it has been processed, you'll receive a copy of your Articles of Incorporation and your Employer Identification Number (EIN).
