Register a Foreign Corporation in Ohio
To register a foreign corporation in Ohio, you must file an Ohio Foreign Corporation Application for License with the Ohio Secretary of State, Business Services Division. You can submit this document by mail, online, or in person. The Foreign Corporation Application for a foreign Ohio corporation costs $99 to file. Below, you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about how to file the Foreign Corporation Application and register a foreign corporation in Ohio. Or, sign up for our Ohio Foreign Corporation service, and we’ll handle your filing instead!
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Download the Ohio Foreign Corporation Application for License. Fill out the form and submit it to the state.
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Our free account and tools will walk you through registering your Foreign Corporation in Ohio. All for free.
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Hire Northwest and let an expert register your Foreign Corporation in Ohio. Includes 1 year of registered agent service.
Free Guide to Registering a Foreign Corporation in Ohio
What does it cost to register a foreign corporation in Ohio?
$99 for the filing fee and the normal state processing time. However, expedited processing options are available through the state of Ohio, but these include additional state fees:
- $100 for a 2-day state processing time
- $200 for a 1 day state processing time
- $300 for 4-hour processing
How long does it take for the state to process the Ohio Certificate of Authority?
Normal Processing: 4-5 business days once the state has received your paperwork, which means you should factor in additional time for mailing.
Expedited Processing: 4-hour and 1-day expediting is available for in-person filings. For $100, you can get 2-day processing (add time for mailing).
Note: Ohio Certificate of Authority paper filings need to be notarized, so take this extra step into account for your processing time. Ohio also now has online filing for all business forms.
How will I get verification of qualification back from Ohio?
You will receive a Certificate of Registration by mail and you may also download and print it online.
What forms do I file with Ohio to qualify my out of State Corporation?
The Foreign Corporation Application for License or Registration of Corporate Name form, a Certificate of Good Standing and the filing fee is required.
What do I need from my home state?
A Certificate of Good Standing is required.
Does it need to be an original copy?
No.
How current does the certificate need to be?
It must be current within 90 days of filing.
Will I need an Ohio registered agent for my corporation?
Yes, when you hire Northwest as your OH registered agent, it’s a flat rate yearly price of $125 a year. You’ll have an online account that tracks your report due dates, which states you’re registered in, when your yearly service with us is up, and any documents we receive locally for you are uploaded into your account immediately for complete viewing. If or when you get served with a lawsuit, we can email up to 4 people and your attorney at the same time for real time complete viewing of a lawsuit. You’ll receive annual report reminders. It’s the same price every year, and there are no weird fees or cancellation fees.
You’ll also see all the pre-populated forms and specific filing instructions on the thank you page, in your online account, and they are emailed to you immediately upon signing up for 1 year of registered agent service.
Does the Ohio registered agent need to sign the filing?
No.
How can I file the Ohio Certificate of Authority?
Online, by mail or in person.
What is the state agency that accepts the out of state registration?
Ohio Secretary of State
Business Services Division
PO Box 670, Columbus, OH 43216
or
180 E. Broad St., 16th Floor, Columbus, OH 43215
or
PO Box 1390, Columbus, OH 43216 (expedited requests only)
Phone: (614)466-3910
Do the signatures on the Ohio corporation application need to be original?
No.
Who has to sign the foreign corporation filing?
An authorized officer of the foreign Ohio corporation must sign the form and the signature must be notarized.
Are there any weird things about registering in Ohio?
County filing or publication is not necessary, unless specifically required by the county in which your registered agent resides.
Are there ongoing Ohio annual report and/or initial reporting requirements?
Ohio biennial reporting is required for Professional Corporations only. Non-profit corporations have to file a Continued Existence of a non-profit in Ohio every 5 years. No other reports are required in Ohio.
What are your fees?
You’ll need to have an Ohio registered agent. We charge $125 a year to act as your registered agent in Ohio. It’s a flat rate, once a year fee, and includes more than other registered agents. Here’s a little more about our registered agent service.
We charge a $100 one-time filing service fee if you would like us to obtain the certificates needed from your home state, and register your company in any state you choose. We have offices in every state and can act as your registered agent and make your filings for you in any state. If you would like to register with multiple states at once, we can usually drop our filing service fee down.
Additional Resources:
Taxes in Ohio
How to Withdraw a Foreign Corporation in Ohio
State by State Foreign Corporation Requirements