Using the Ohio Secretary of State’s Business Search
You can use the Ohio Secretary of State’s Business Search to see if a business is registered in Ohio. The search finds variations in business names. To find who owns a limited liability company (LLC), search the article of organization. The articles list ownership information.
Researching Other Public Records
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County Land Records: Search county land records to see who owns a building. The tax assessor’s office or recorder of deeds has this information.
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Direct Inquiry: Call a business directly and ask who owns it, or first check if the business has a website for contact information.
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Government Records: Check government records as limited liability companies must reveal ownership. This process takes time and sometimes money. Property deeds, mortgages, and tax records list property ownership. County recorder offices have this public information.
Accountability and Legal Compliance
Knowing who owns a limited liability company holds members accountable. It helps ensure proper legal filings and agreements.