Ohio LLC Registered Agent
These are persons or entities that agree to accept service of process and official mailings on behalf of your Ohio LLC.
When you are sued against, Service of Process or legal papers will be sent to your Registered Agent for LLC. The state may also send reminders and notices to your LLC via the Registered Agent.
An Ohio Registered Agent is required to provide a normal business hours (9-5) M- F address.
You can have the address of someone at the law firm on records and designate this person as a registered agent if you wish; other states allow P, O. Box for LLC Registered Agents but not Ohio No PO Box Addresses.
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Do You Need a Registered Agent in Ohio?
Ohio requires all business entities to have a Registered Agent when forming an LLC. Also, keep in mind that a Registered Agent has to stay on file with the state as long as you have an LLC.
Why Do You Need a Registered Agent in Ohio?
A Registered Agent handles the service of process when your company is sued and will see to it that the LLC receives proof of delivery for legal documents.
Thus, all companies such as corporations and LLCs are obligated to have a Registered Agent on file with the state.
Or the Registered Agent of your LLC if you want to get someone involved in legal stuff. Ohio requires an LLC to name a Registered Agent for each one so that courtroom files can be accurately served and tracked.
💡 Tip:
Choosing a professional Registered Agent Service can help keep your address private and off public records.
Who can serve as my Ohio Registered Agent?
Ohio Registered Agent: You have 3 options for who your registered agent will be.
- You
- A friend or family member.
- Ohio Registered Agent Service
While it may be cheaper to act as your Registered Agent, doing so does have its drawbacks.
What are the risks?
If you do decide to act as your own Ohio Registered Agent, there are many pitfalls you may encounter such as:
- Missing vital state notifications
- Subject to administrative dissolution
- Service of Process (Loose Legal Cannon)
The problem is worse if you:
- Move without updating your residential address with the state
- You often travel or are away from home for many hours
- No address you can trust
- Neglect to observe your mail daily
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Not posting an important notice from the state
The Secretary of State of Ohio or other agencies in the state are going to need a fast way to send important notices to your business.
These notices will often require certain actions by your LLC on specific deadlines. Not meeting these deadlines could result in costly penalties and fees.
Administrative Dissolution
If your LLC is dissolved by the Ohio Secretary of State, this will lead to numerous consequences.
The state does not peek at your LLC every day, but if it finds that you are overdue for renewal and unable to reach you due to an incorrect address listed on the record.
Default Judgment
The process server will make several attempts of service to your business, in case it involves an LLC lawsuit.
This indicates that the assumption from which we were referring earlier — also known as piercing of the corporate veil, it gives rise to an expectation that doing so is easier than previously believed — applies in reverse and can lead someone who has brought litigation against your LLC on his behalf defenselessly. Typically, your LLC gets slapped with a default judgment as well.
The person you are suing with your LLC does not need to defend itself in the presence of yourself. This generally ends in a summary judgment against you as well as your LLC.
Contempt of Court
If you have an LLC that is involved in a lawsuit, expect to receive a subpoena. Requesting your testimony or records.
And if you fail to reply, you can be held in contempt of court. This approach can result in fees or the issuance of a bench warrant, through which the sheriff gets your data IOR makes you go to court.
📝 Note:
Your Registered Agent's information is part of the public record, which means your address could appear on multiple websites.
Do YOU need to be your Registered Agent?
In Ohio, you are allowed to be your Registered Agent. When there are risks, they tend to be rare and you should pay for savings with a bit more time penning the index directly.
However, there are benefits to a professional Registered Agent Service as well, such as keeping your home address private.
Ohio Registered Agent Information is Public
You can just as easily appoint a friend or family member to be the Registered Agent of your LLC. However, that means the public can soon stroll up to your front door.
The information you provide in your Articles of Organization, including the Registered Agent address will be held on file with the Ohio Secretary of State and available to anyone that wants it.
Listing your address as the LLCs Registered Agent Address will make it public and can be potentially to multiple websites.
Once this info pops up on another site – it propagates, by now your address can be slammed into Google.
We can assist in hiding your address if you do not wish for it to be publicly known.
🔔 Special Offer!
Set up your LLC with Northwest Registered Agent for $39+ state fees and get a free year of Registered Agent service.
(Discover why Northwest is a top choice check out our Northwest Registered Agent review)
Protect Our Address from Public Records
While in many cases business owners throughout Ohio work from their homes, remember that the address of your Registered Agent (if you use a service) will be visible on public records via the address listed on LLC Articles of Organization.
Hire an Ohio Registered Agent Service to keep away your residential address Your address will not necessarily appear on the public record for your Articles of Organization (just theirs, if they are available.
Which is the Best Ohio Registered Agent?
Which Ohio Registered Agent is best for your business depends on a few different factors.
You:
If you meet all of the following requirements to be your Registered Agent in Ohio.
- You live in Ohio
- You use an Ohio physical address
- Just remember, your address will be displayed on public records.
Why choose this? The same is a good option to save some money as you do not have to pay for Registered Agent Service.
Friend or Family:
Anyone Can Be Your Ohio Registered Agent if you are:
- They live in Ohio
- They are relatively new (not always) and have an address on a street in Ohio.
- They must also be willing to disclose their address on public records.
Why choose this? That is a great thing to take advantage of if you do not live in Ohio and want to save some money by skipping the Registered Agent Service hiring process.
Ohio Resident Agent Service:
The price of membership with such services tends to fall in the $100-$300/year range. They will then forward the mail they receive to you or, in some cases (if digital), upload it directly to an online account.
Why choose this option? It's a good choice if you:
- Don't live in Ohio
- No Friend Or Family Whose Address You Can Use
- Unavailability for normal business hours mail delivery
- Do Not Want Your Address Listed in the Articles of Organization
💡 Tip:
Choosing a Registered Agent Service not only ensures compliance but also helps you maintain privacy and avoid legal complications.
Ohio Registered Agent FAQs
Can I be my own Registered Agent for my LLC in Ohio?
Yes, you can act as your own Registered Agent in Ohio, provided you are a resident of the state and at least 18 years old.
Can a family member be a Registered Agent in Ohio?
Yes, a family member can serve as your Registered Agent in Ohio, as long as they meet the legal requirements. They must have a physical address in Ohio (PO Boxes are not allowed) and be available at that address during normal business hours.
How do I find a Registered Agent in Ohio?
To find a Registered Agent, you can search online and compare different services. Here are some popular Registered Agent Services and their fees:
- Northwest Registered Agent - $125 per year
- ZenBusiness - $199 per year
- MyCompanyWorks - $99 per year
- Harbor Compliance - $99 per year
- IncFile - $119 per year
- Rocket Lawyer - $250 per year
- LegalZoom - $249 per year
For more details and comparisons, check out our guide on Best Registered Agent Services in Ohio. If you prefer to save money, you can act as your own Registered Agent.
How do I change the Registered Agent for my LLC in Ohio?
To change your Registered Agent in Ohio, file a Statutory Agent Update form (Form 521) with the Ohio Secretary of State. You can submit this form online or by mail, and the filing fee is $25.
Is there an Annual Fee for an LLC in Ohio?
No, Ohio does not require an Annual Fee for LLCs. Unlike most states that mandate Annual Reports or fees, Ohio is one of the few states that does not. However, if you hire a Registered Agent Service, you will need to pay any associated annual renewal fees.
Do I need to register my LLC with the IRS?
Yes, you need to register your LLC with the IRS by obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN). The EIN serves as your business's tax identification number, similar to a Social Security Number for individuals. If you are the sole owner of your LLC, you are not considered an employee but simply the owner.
How do I get an LLC in Ohio?
To form an LLC in Ohio, file Articles of Organization with the Ohio Secretary of State. You can follow our Ohio LLC Articles of Organization guide for detailed, step-by-step instructions. Alternatively, you may hire a Statutory Agent who also provides LLC Formation services to handle the process for you.