How to Change Registered Agents in Ohio (OH) in 2025

Changing an appointed Statutory Agent is not a frequent activity in any business. While forming an LLC in Ohio, it is mandatory to appoint a Registered Agent as a point of contact between the state and your LLC. However, there might be some times when changing of a registered agent is necessary. It might be the resignation or termination of the individual.

In Ohio, also known as The Buckeye State, there is a process to change the Statutory Agent. In this article, the LLCBuddy editors come up with the methods available to change the registered agent in Ohio. The statement of change can be filed online or offline (whichever method is convenient).

What is Statutory Agent in Ohio

The Ohio Statutory Agent, appointed by the limited liability company, is a person who receives all the legal documents on your company’s behalf. To become a registered agent in Ohio, one must meet the following requirements,

The person must be or above 18 years old
The person has to be a permanent resident of Ohio
The person should have a legal permit to conduct business in Ohio
The person must be available during business hours at the designated office address in Ohio

You can also be your own registered agent in Ohio. However, it is not wise to be your own agent as it can divert your attention from the core of your business.

How to Change a Registered Agent in Ohio

To change the Statutory Agent in Ohio, one has to file the statement of change of the registered agent. You must pay the filing fee of $25 to complete your application. To file for the Statement of Change of Registered Agent and Registered Office Address with the Ohio Secretary of State, you can opt for any of the following methods:

Online Filing

To file the statement of change of registered agent in Ohio online, you must search for the appropriate online form. You can file your change of Statutory Agent statement online if the online form is available through the Secretary of State. Follow the below-given instructions:

Visit the Ohio Secretary of State’s official website
Log in to the portal using your credentials.
On your dashboard, you will find the option to update your documents.
You will get an online form (or in PDF format)
Fill out the form (or download it on your PC, then fill it out) with the old and new registered agent’s details.
Submit (or upload) the completed form to the portal.
In the next section, you will get payment details (if applicable) and pay the fees using a credit card.

Your online change of registered agent update is done! It takes some time to update the details on the portal. Once it is updated, your new registered agent can start conducting business on your behalf immediately.

Filing Through Mail or In-person

If you want to file the statement of change of registered agent via mail or in person (if available), then you should follow the rules. For in-person or mail filings, you need to download the Ohio Statement of Change of Registered Agent (PDF) from the official website of the Ohio Secretary of State. Complete the form by filling in all the information about the LLC and both (new and existing) registered agents. The form has to be signed by the new registered agent. This will provide the consent of the new agent. Once completed, submit it to the below-mentioned address:

Important Links	Submit Offline Form
Change of Registered Agent – Online Ohio Statement of Change of Registered Agent – PDF Ohio Registered Agent – Requirement	Ohio Secretary of State, P.O. Box 670, Columbus, OH 43216

Fee: The filing fee charged for changing the Ohio registered agent is $25. This fee will be paid to the Ohio Secretary of State by check or credit card.

If you hire a Registered Agent service, filing the Statement of Change would be much easier. Also, the registered agent will help you with the consent letter the new registered agent has to sign. LLCBuddy editorial team suggests a list of the best LLC services that offer registered agent services. Some of them offer standalone registered agent services.

Recommended: You can get the best registered agent service at a reasonable price with online LLC service providers. We recommend using –

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ZenBusiness Registered Agent – $199 Per Year

Registered Agent Consent Letter in Ohio

The registered Agent’s Consent letter is a document that a new registered agent must submit along with the formation document. It is a statement that the agent submits upon agreeing to work with the LLC. When you change the Statutory Agent, you must also submit the consent letter signed by the new agent. In many states, submitting the Change of Registered Agent form does the job; sending any additional consent document to the SOS is unnecessary. However, there are many states where you must submit the consent letter separately and pay a certain fee (if applicable). This consent must include the following details-

LLC name
A letter that says the person gives consent to serve the LLC as a registered agent
The execution date
Name of the registered agent
Signature of the registered agent

In Ohio, there is no separate Consent Letter to be produced to the Secretary of State. You must get the Statement of Change of Registered Agent form, fill it out, and submit it to the SOS. The agent must sign the form or self-attest. It is proof that the new Statutory Agent has given the nod to provide their services to the LLC. An additional filing fee (or expedited fee) might be charged. Check Ohio Secretary of State for fee details.

BOI Reporting

As per the Corporation Transparency Act, from the 1st of January, 2024, every LLC and any other business entity must file the BOI report with FinCEN. In the BOI Report, the owner(s)’ details must be mentioned. It is to maintain the transparency of the organization. It is not required to mention the change of a registered agent while filing the BOI Report in Ohio. However, it is recommended to maintain a proper process and document for any changes made inside the LLC to maintain transparency under any act.

Why Do You Need to Change a Registered Agent in Ohio

There can be several reasons why LLCs want to change their registered agent in Ohio. Some of the main and most important reasons are listed below,

Be Your Own Registered Agent

A prevalent reason is that if anyone wants to be his/her own registered agent. Any LLC owner can be the registered agent himself/herself as per the Ohio Secretary of State. So, you may want to change the registered agent and become one yourself for your LLC. In that case, you must submit the change form with your details.

Want to Hire a Professional Registered Agent

You may have designated yourself or someone from the family as the registered agent for your LLC in the initial phase. But with expansion in business, your roles and responsibilities also expand. You may not be present at the office during working hours. A registered agent is required to be available in the office. So, you must hire a registered agent who could replace you.

Existing Registered Agent Resigns

If your current registered agent resigns or your service provider is out of business, you can change your Registered Agent in Ohio. You must change the registered agent if the existing one resigns or is out of service.

Forming foreign LLC

This is to be noted that a person is eligible to be a Ohio Statutory Agent only if they are the Ohio resident. So, if you are forming a foreign LLC in Ohio, you might need to change your registered agent because not all registered agents are eligible to work in different states.

FAQs

What is a registered agent in Ohio?

In Ohio, a registered agent is a person or entity appointed to receive legal documents on behalf of a business.

Can I change my registered agent in Ohio?

Yes, you can change your registered agent in Ohio by filing the appropriate form with the Ohio Secretary of State.

How do I change my registered agent in Ohio?

To change your registered agent in Ohio, you must file a Statement of Change of Registered Office/Agent form with the Ohio Secretary of State.

Is there a fee to change my registered agent in Ohio?

Yes, there is a fee to change your registered agent in Ohio. The fee is $25 for paper filings and $99 for online filings.

What information do I need to provide when changing my registered agent in Ohio?

When changing your registered agent in Ohio, you will need to provide the name and address of the new registered agent.

How long does it take to change a registered agent in Ohio?

The processing time to change a registered agent in Ohio varies, but it typically takes about 2-3 business days for online filings and 4-6 weeks for paper filings.

Can I be my own registered agent in Ohio?

Yes, you can be your own registered agent in Ohio as long as you have a physical street address in Ohio where legal documents can be served.

Do I need a new EIN when changing my registered agent in Ohio?

No, you do not need a new EIN when changing your registered agent in Ohio. Your EIN remains the same.

Do I need to notify the old registered agent when changing in Ohio?

Yes, you should notify the old registered agent when changing in Ohio to ensure they are no longer serving as your agent.

Can I appoint a professional registered agent company in Ohio?

Yes, you can appoint a professional registered agent company in Ohio to serve as your registered agent.

Can a registered agent resign in Ohio?

Yes, a registered agent can resign in Ohio by filing a Statement of Resignation of Agent form with the Secretary of State.

Can I change my registered agent online in Ohio?

Yes, you can change your registered agent online in Ohio through the Ohio Secretary of State’s website.

What happens if I don’t change my registered agent in Ohio?

If you do not change your registered agent in Ohio, you may miss important legal documents which could have serious consequences for your business.

Can a business entity be its own registered agent in Ohio?

No, a business entity cannot be its own registered agent in Ohio. It must appoint an individual or another entity to serve in that capacity.

Do I need to update my registered agent information every year in Ohio?

Yes, you should review and update your registered agent information annually in Ohio to ensure it is current and accurate.

What happens to my old registered agent once I change in Ohio?

Once you change your registered agent in Ohio, the responsibilities of the old registered agent cease, and the new agent assumes all duties and obligations.

Can I change my registered agent by mail in Ohio?

Yes, you can change your registered agent by mail in Ohio by submitting a paper filing to the Secretary of State.

What is the penalty for not maintaining a registered agent in Ohio?

If you do not maintain a registered agent in Ohio, your business entity may fall out of good standing with the state and lose certain legal protections.

Can I appoint a friend or family member as my registered agent in Ohio?

Yes, you can appoint a friend or family member as your registered agent in Ohio as long as they have a physical street address within the state.

Do registered agents in Ohio have specific duties?

Yes, registered agents in Ohio have specific duties such as accepting legal documents on behalf of the business entity they represent.

Can I change my registered agent multiple times in Ohio?

Yes, you can change your registered agent multiple times in Ohio as needed by following the appropriate procedures each time.

Is there a deadline to change my registered agent in Ohio?

There is no specific deadline to change your registered agent in Ohio, but it is important to update this information promptly to avoid any issues.

Can I change my registered agent at any time in Ohio?

Yes, you can change your registered agent at any time in Ohio by following the necessary steps and submitting the required paperwork.

What is the role of a registered agent in Ohio?

The role of a registered agent in Ohio is to receive legal documents and official correspondence on behalf of a business entity and ensure they are delivered in a timely manner.

Can I change my registered agent for multiple business entities at once in Ohio?

Yes, you can change your registered agent for multiple business entities at once in Ohio by filing a separate form for each entity with the Secretary of State.

Can I appoint an out-of-state registered agent for my Ohio business?

No, you cannot appoint an out-of-state registered agent for your Ohio business. The registered agent must have a physical address within the state.

Can I appoint a business entity as my registered agent in Ohio?

Yes, you can appoint a business entity as your registered agent in Ohio as long as it is authorized to conduct business in the state.

How much does it cost to change a registered agent in Ohio?

The fee to change a registered agent in Ohio is $25.

Can I serve as my own registered agent in Ohio?

Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent in Ohio as long as you have a street address in the state where legal documents can be served.

Can I change my registered agent address in Ohio?

Yes, you can change your registered agent address in Ohio by filing a Change of Agent/Office Address form with the Secretary of State.

In Conclusion

Registered Agents are the most important individuals in an LLC. They must be trustworthy, capable, and efficient to handle all the paperwork and documentation. During your business, you may arrive at a point where you need to change the registered agent. The need may arise when the existing agent wants to quit, or you are terminating the existing agent or expanding your business. Changing the Ohio registered agent can be necessary in various situations.

Changing Statutory Agent in Ohio is not a complicated process, however, it is better to get a service provider, such as ZenBusiness. It not only offers the registered agent service at a reasonable price but also offers LLC formation at $0. This article has it all. If you have any queries about changing a registered agent, you can drop a comment below in the box.