Yes, you can be your own Registered Agent in Ohio as long as you meet the state requirements. To be your own LLC Registered Agent, you need to have an address in Ohio and be over 18 years old.
Statutory Agent in Real Estate
What is a statutory agent in real estate? A statutory agent is an agent designated by law to receive litigation documents and other legal notices for a nonresident corporation.
How to Find a Registered Agent in Ohio
How do I find a registered agent in Ohio? The registered agent is listed on a company’s formation documents that are filed with the State of Ohio. On these documents, a business owner will need to list information such as the registered agent’s address and name.
Service Charges and Requirements
How much does a registered agent service charge in Ohio? Premium registered agent services can charge as little as $10 per month. Your total registered agent cost will be zero if you choose to become your own agent.
What are the requirements for a Statutory Agent in Ohio? Every corporation, domestic or foreign, must have a Statutory Agent with a registered office within Ohio at all times. The Statutory Agent can be a person or a company. If a person, they must be over 18 years old and have an address in Ohio.
In order to make a change to your statutory agent in Ohio, you will need to fill out a Statutory Agent Update form and submit it to the Ohio Secretary of State. The filing fee is $25.
Designation and Responsibilities
What is a registered agent for a corporation? When a business entity registers with the government, it is required to have a “registered agent” who is authorized to accept legal notices and other official papers.
Instead, in Ohio your statutory agent just needs to be named on your articles of organization, along with address and other relevant information, and the state will record this.
Changing Agents and Verification
How to check whether Statutory Agent has been appointed in Ohio? Ohio business entities details including their sole proprietorships details with registered agents can be found divided by counties, in the Ohio Secretary of State website.
What is the difference between non commercial registered agent and represented entity? There are key distinctions between non-commercial registered agents and represented entities regarding financial reporting requirements and level of regulation.
Eligibility and Obligations
According to Ohio State Law, a statutory agent must be able to accept legal documents, have a physical office address in Ohio, be a resident or a company that provides registered agent services.
There are two ways to change your registered agent in Ohio: fill out Form 521 and submit it to the Secretary of State, or hire a professional registered agent service to handle it for you.
Who can be a Statutory Agent?
Who can serve as statutory agent in Ohio? According to the Ohio Secretary of State, a statutory agent can be a person who lives in Ohio or a business entity with a business address in Ohio, like a corporation or LLC.
Cost and Services
A statutory agent is designated to receive official notices and lawsuits. You can act as your own registered agent at no cost. A commercial registered agent service typically costs between $100-$150 per year. Some services like Northwest Registered Agent charge $125 per year and offer extras like mail forwarding. Formation companies like IncFile include registered agent service for free the first year.
Requirements and Responsibilities
In Ohio, Registered Agents also receive mail from the Secretary of State like tax and business notices. Registered Agent addresses in Ohio can be street addresses, mailbox rentals, or PO Boxes. Ohio Registered Agents must be available 9am-5pm on weekdays to receive legal documents like complaints and subpoenas.
Ohio requires that anyone serving as statutory agent have an Ohio address, be available weekdays, and be over 18. As statutory agent, CorpNet ensures your business stays compliant by receiving legal notices and official mailings. Their services cost $149 per year.
Importance and Consequences
When forming an LLC or corporation in Ohio, you must appoint a statutory agent by listing them in your organizational documents filed with the Secretary of State. Failing to maintain an agent could lead to lawsuits, fines and penalties.
A statutory agent in Ohio receives legal, tax and financial documents for your business. While some states don’t require statutory agents, your Ohio LLC needs one. The requirements are: a natural Ohio resident or a qualified Ohio business service.
The registered agent serves as communication between your business and the Secretary of State to stay informed on changes in laws and requirements. Registered agents are legally required for most Ohio business entities under Section 1701.07 to receive any legal processes and demands.
Being Your Own Agent for Ohio LLC
Can I be my own agent for Ohio LLC?
Yes, you can be your own Registered Agent in Ohio as long as you meet the state requirements. To be your own LLC Registered Agent, you need to have an address in Ohio and be over 18 years old.
Address and Responsibilities
The address of a Registered Agent is the Registered Office. The Registered Office address and the name of the Registered Agent will go on your LLC paperwork.
Advantages of Third-Party Agents
Flexibility: Picking an Ohio registered agent service allows you to be away from your business address during regular business hours.
Online storage: Most third-party registered agents scan received documents and upload them online as PDFs. This can help ensure you or an employee does not lose an important document.
Improved privacy: Since your registered agent’s address and information will become publicly available, choosing a third-party service can improve your privacy.
While being your own Registered Agent sounds simple, someone who travels often or is regularly away from the designated address during business hours might not be a good choice. Failing to maintain a registered agent properly can have serious consequences.
For legal purposes, a Registered Agent also has to be an adult resident of Ohio.
In short, yes you can be your own Registered Agent in Ohio. But you have to meet the requirements, and consider whether this responsibility is one you want.