Guide · Ohio law
Ohio Registered Agent Requirements
Ohio calls it a statutory agent. Here's who needs one, who can serve, and what the address has to be.
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Key facts
- Required for Ohio LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits, and for out-of-state companies registered in Ohio.
- The agent must be an Ohio resident or a business with an Ohio address.
- The address must be an Ohio street address, not a P.O. box.
- A business agent's address must be open in normal hours with someone authorized to accept papers.
- Ohio's term is "statutory agent"; the job is the same as a registered agent elsewhere.
Which businesses need one
- Ohio LLCs (ORC 1706.09)
- Ohio corporations, for-profit and nonprofit (ORC 1701.07)
- Foreign LLCs registered in Ohio (ORC 1706.511) and foreign corporations licensed in Ohio (ORC 1703.041)
Sole proprietors and general partnerships that haven't filed as an entity don't appoint an agent.
Who can serve
An individual who lives in Ohio, or a business entity with an Ohio address. An individual lists their primary residence, which becomes public. A business agent lists a location that's open during normal business hours with someone there who can accept service.
What the agent does
The agent accepts service of process (the summons and complaint when your business is sued) and official mail from the state. It then gets those papers to you. It doesn't give legal advice or respond to a lawsuit for you.
Keeping it current
Ohio has no annual report for LLCs and for-profit corporations, so nothing reminds you to check your agent. If your agent moves, resigns, or you move as your own agent, file Form 521 ($25). See how to change your agent, or compare providers in our 2026 rankings.
Questions
Can I use a P.O. box for my Ohio agent address?
No. Ohio requires a street address in the state. A post office box doesn't qualify, even one that looks like a street address.
Does the agent address have to match my business address?
No. The agent's address is separate from your principal office and can be anywhere in Ohio.
What happens if I don't have a registered agent in Ohio?
The state can cancel your articles or registration after notice, and you may never learn about a lawsuit filed against you, which can lead to a default judgment.
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Keep reading
What is a statutory agent?
Ohio's name for a registered agent, and what the agent does.
Can you be your own registered agent in Ohio?
The rules, the privacy trade-off, and when it makes sense.
Ohio registered agent search
How to look up who a business's agent is on the state's records.
Ohio registered agent FAQ
Short answers to the questions owners ask most.
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