Wedding Planner Permit Requirements in Columbus, OH

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees, operate as an LLC/corporation, or file certain business tax returns. Free from the IRS. Sole proprietors with no employees may use their SSN instead.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. Ohio Vendor's License

   Required for businesses selling taxable goods or services in Ohio. Obtain from the Ohio Department of Taxation or county auditor.

   Official government source

   $50 per fixed place of business (ORC 5739.17)·Same day at county auditor; 1–2 weeks online

   $50 per fixed place of business (ORC 5739.17)

   Same day at county auditor; 1–2 weeks online

2. General Liability Insurance (Recommended)

   Wedding planners in Ohio are not legally required to carry liability insurance, but most venues require proof of $1M–$2M general liability coverage before allowing a planner to work on-site. Many clients also require it in your contract.

   $400–$1,200/year·Same day (online quotes)

   $400–$1,200/year

   Same day (online quotes)

1. Columbus Business License

   Columbus has no general business license. The city's License Section (Dept. of Public Safety) issues licenses only for specific categories — mobile food vending, itinerant/roadway vending, vehicle-for-hire, massage establishments, short-term rentals, and similar — none of which cover this business. Wedding planners register their entity with the Ohio Secretary of State (if LLC/corp) and register for Columbus income tax withholding if hiring employees, but no city business license applies.

   Official government source

   N/A — no general business license exists·N/A

   N/A — no general business license exists

   N/A

2. DBA (Doing Business As) Registration

   If operating under a trade name (e.g., "Perfect Day Events" rather than your legal name), you must register a trade name (DBA) with the Ohio Secretary of State under ORC 1329.01 — this is a state, not county, filing. Required before accepting payments under a business name.

   Official government source

   $39 one-time filing fee ($25 to renew every 5 years)·Filed online; typically processed within a few business days

   $39 one-time filing fee ($25 to renew every 5 years)

   Filed online; typically processed within a few business days

Official Sources

• City of Columbus — Business Licensing
• Ohio Secretary of State
• IRS — Apply for EIN

Related Guides