An Ohio registered agent is an entity that represents another entity before the government. This includes companies, partnerships, limited liability corporations, and even nonprofit organizations.
Table of Contents
What Is An Ohio Registered Agent Do?
A registered agent is anyone designated by a corporation to receive legal notices on behalf of the organization. This person is responsible for maintaining records about all client interactions, such as copies of letters, invoice, contracts, and other important documents.
Registered agents are required to file yearly reports with the Secretary of State’s office. These reports include information regarding all transactions involving the registered agency’s clients.
Can I Be My Own Registered Agent In Ohio?
If you want to form a corporation in Ohio, you must be registered as a foreign agent. This includes anyone who does business in Ohio. If you are a citizen of another state and do business in Ohio, you must register as a foreign agent. You cannot avoid registering as a foreign agent by filing a domestic corporation.
The registration requirement applies to all corporations, whether they are formed under Ohio law or not. Foreign agents include individuals, partnerships, unincorporated associations, and foreign entities organized outside of Ohio. A foreign entity is defined as any individual, partnership, association, or organization located outside of Ohio.
A foreign agent is required to pay a $100 annual fee to maintain his/her status. Registration is renewed annually.
In addition to paying the fee, a foreign agent must report certain information about his/her activities in Ohio. These reports are filed electronically with the Secretary of State every quarter.
Foreign agents are subject to audits by the Secretary of State. Audits are conducted randomly throughout each calendar year. An audit may occur during the course of normal business hours or at any time.
While there is no penalty for failing to comply with the registration requirements, failure to file a timely report or pay the fee could lead to fines and penalties.
A registered agent is an individual or organization that represents a business before federal, state and local governments. In most states, it’s required for certain types of businesses, such as corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs).
The process of registering a business with a registered agent service can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours. Once the registration is complete, the agent provides the information necessary to file documents with the appropriate authorities.
Registered agents are typically professionals like attorneys, accountants, bankers and insurance brokers. They charge a monthly fee based on the size of the business. These fees vary depending on the type of business and whether the agent is providing additional services. For example, some registered agent services include filing corporate documents, maintaining corporate records, creating annual reports and sending out tax forms.
There are many benefits to having a registered agent. Here are just a few reasons why businesses choose to use one:
• Save Time & Money – Registering a business doesn’t require hiring a lawyer or accountant. Instead, a registered agent takes care of the paperwork for you. This saves you time and money. Plus, you won’t have to hire a full-time employee to handle those tasks.
• Protect Your Company – When you register a business with a registered agency, you’re protecting yourself against lawsuits and liens. If someone sues your company, he’ll know where to send the legal papers. And if your business owes money to another party, creditors can’t seize your assets unless they’ve been properly notified about your company.
• Keep Records Current – Many states require that a corporation keep certain records on site. Having a registered agent helps ensure that these records are always up to date.
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost in OH?
A registered agent is someone who represents your business entity in court. This person handles things like paying bills, registering your business name, and handling any legal matters that might come up. You don’t want to use an unlicensed representative because there are potential consequences. For example, if your business fails, you could end up personally liable for any debts that aren’t paid off. An attorney can provide advice about how to structure your business properly, including what type of agent to hire.
How do I elect an agent for service of process in Ohio?
To form an LLC in Ohio, you must file Articles of Organization. You are required to designate one person to act as the registered agent of the LLC. This person receives service of process on behalf of the LLC. If you fail to do so, you could lose control over your business.
Article 4 of Chapter 1729 of the Revised Code of Ohio provides that “a foreign limited liability company shall appoint a registered agent upon whom process against it may be served.”
A registered agent is someone who represents the interests of the LLC in legal matters. They receive service of process on behalf of the LLC.
You cannot serve yourself as a registered agent. Instead, you must select another individual to represent you.
The registered agent serves as the representative of the LLC. He/she is responsible for accepting service of process, representing the LLC in court proceedings, and managing the affairs of the LLC.
Registered agents must be residents of Ohio. They must be natural persons, corporations, partnerships, unincorporated associations, or trusts.
If you want to elect a resident of another state as your registered agent, you must file articles with the Secretary of State of Ohio.
How Do I Change My Registered Agent In OH?
To change your registered agent, it’s important to make sure you do so correctly. If you don’t, you could lose access to your bank accounts, be unable to sell property, and even have your driver’s licenses revoked. You must notify the secretary of state of any changes made to the address where you are receiving mail. This can be done online, via mail, or both.
The process begins by logging into the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. You can select the option to register or renew your corporation. Once you choose the latter, you’ll see a list of options to either continue or cancel your renewal. Clicking Continue will bring you to a screen asking you to enter your name, street address, city, zip code, phone number, email address, and entity type. After entering all the necessary information, scroll down to the bottom of the form and click Update Information. Next, you’ll want to fill out the following fields:
• Name – Enter the name under which you wish to register.
• Street Address – Enter the physical location of your business.
• City – Select the city in which your business resides.
• Zip Code – Enter the ZIP code associated with your business.
• Phone Number – Enter the phone number associated with your business. Make sure you include the area code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is required to register with the Ohio Secretary of State?
Any business entity, domestic or international, planning to transact business in Ohio, using a name different than their own personal name must register with this office to ensure compliance with state law. A person or business entity operating under a trade name or assumed name is considered to be transacting business within the meaning of the statute. Therefore, such persons or businesses are subject to registration requirements with the secretary of state regardless of whether they are incorporated, unincorporated, or operate solely as a sole proprietorship.
The following types of entities are exempt from registering with the Office of the Secretary of State:
(1) Domestic corporations, limited liability companies, and foreign corporations organized under the laws of another state or nation that are authorized to transact business hereunder;
(2) Domestic nonprofit organizations that are exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
(3) Foreign nonprofits that are exempt from federal tax withholding pursuant to Section 501(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Service Code;
(4) Unincorporated associations, including labor unions, professional associations, fraternal societies, political parties, religious groups, social clubs, and educational institutions;
(5) Foreign individuals or entities that are exempt from federal taxes pursuant to Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue code;
Do I file bylaws or an operating agreement with your office?
No, you do not need to file bylaws or an Operating Agreement with our Office. You can find information about filing bylaws and operating agreements online.
James Rourke is a business and legal writer. He has written extensively on subjects such as contract law, company law, and intellectual property. His work has been featured in publications such as The Times, The Guardian, and Forbes. When he’s not writing, James enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf.
