Ohio Trademark Registration

An Ohio state trademark helps protect your brand name, logo, or slogan within the state. Registration is administered by the Ohio Secretary of State and provides state-level protection, while federal USPTO registration can provide broader nationwide rights. This guide explains how to file with the Ohio Secretary of State and when a federal registration may be the better option.

Key Facts

• Authority: Ohio Secretary of State – Business Services Division.
• Application form: Trademark/Service Mark Application (Form 555).
• Filing fee: $125 per application and classification.
• Specimen: One specimen showing the mark in actual use.
• Term: 10 years; renewable for additional 10-year periods. (Ohio Revised Code §1329.58)
• Scope: Protection only within Ohio.
• Federal alternative: USPTO trademark registration starts with a $350 base application fee per class, with additional fees possible depending on the application.

For businesses operating across multiple states, consider a federal U.S. trademark registration.

What is an Ohio state trademark?

An Ohio state trademark is a mark registered with the Ohio Secretary of State. It helps you:

• establish exclusive rights within Ohio,
• prevent competitors from using confusingly similar marks,
• strengthen enforcement actions under state law.

It does not offer nationwide protection — for that you need a USPTO registration.

Step 1: Search existing trademarks in Ohio

Before filing, check whether your mark is available.

1. Search the Ohio trademark database
   Look for exact matches, similar spellings, phonetic equivalents, abbreviations, and similar logos.
2. Search beyond Ohio
   Use:
   • USPTO Trademark Search,
   • domain registries,
   • social media,
   • general web searches.

Step 2: Prepare your Ohio trademark application

Ohio requires:

• Owner information
• Description of goods/services
• Classification of goods or services. Ohio allows only one classification per application; separate applications are required to protect the same mark in multiple classifications.
• Date of first use
• A specimen showing the mark in actual use

Acceptable specimens

• labels, packaging, tags,
• photographs of the mark on products,
• service advertisements,
• website screenshots showing real commercial use.

Step 3: File your application with the Ohio Secretary of State

Steps:

1. Download and complete Form 555.
2. Attach a specimen showing the mark in actual use.
3. Pay the $125 fee.
4. Submit online or by mail.
5. Expedited processing: Two-business-day processing is available for an additional $100 fee.

Step 4: Maintain and enforce your trademark

Use the mark properly

• Use the mark as registered.
• Keep updated specimens.

Monitor for infringement

• local competitors,
• online platforms,
• marketplaces.

Enforcement options

• cease-and-desist letters,
• settlements,
• state trademark actions.

Step 5: Renewal

Ohio trademark and service mark registrations are valid for 10 years. A registration may be renewed for additional 10-year periods by filing a renewal application within the six months before expiration. The renewal fee is $25. The renewal application must confirm that the mark is still in use in Ohio and include a specimen showing the mark as actually used.

Ohio state trademark vs federal registration

If you sell beyond Ohio, consider federal registration via our U.S. trademark service.