When you'd use one
- Your LLC is "Smith Holdings LLC," and you want to do business as "Smith Roofing."
- You are adding a new brand or line of business to an existing company.
- A bank requires a registered name to deposit checks payable to that name.
What's included
- Availability check.
- Trade name registration prepared and filed.
- The filed record in your portal.
Renewals
Ohio trade name registrations expire and need renewing, with a $25 state fee. Put the date on your calendar. We do not monitor deadlines for you.
What a trade name doesn't do
It doesn't protect you the way a trademark can, and it doesn't shield you from liability. For a new, separate brand with distinct risk, you may want a separate company.
Questions
Does a sole proprietor have to register a trade name?
A sole proprietor operating under another name may use a trade or fictitious name. Which filing fits depends on the circumstances, so ask us or a professional.
Reviewed by Sean Webb, owner of Ohio Registered Statutory Agent LLC. Updated 2026-11-06. General information, not legal advice.