You do not need their agreement
The agent serves at the company's choice. If you have authority to act for the company, the agent's signature isn't needed to replace them. This matters when the agent is a former partner, an ex-spouse, or someone you can no longer reach.
The steps
- Line up the replacement, whether yourself, another person in Ohio, or a company.
- File Form 521 to appoint the new agent.
- Confirm the state record shows the new agent.
- Tell the old agent in writing that their appointment has ended, and ask them to forward anything they received.
Disputes over who can sign
The person signing for the company has to have authority. If owners disagree over control of the company, signing a filing can become its own dispute, so check your operating agreement or regulations. An attorney is the right call if control itself is at issue.
After you remove them
- Papers may still go to the old agent for a short time if someone is working from outdated information.
- Cancel any paid service once the change shows up, so you are not billed again.
- Check any contracts that list the old agent for notices, and update them if needed.
What happens if you only stop paying
Stopping payment does not remove a commercial agent from the state's record. The agent stays listed until the agent resigns or you replace them, and in that time, papers may be handled by a provider you've stopped dealing with. Replacing them is cleaner.
Questions
Can I remove my agent and not name a new one?
No. Ohio requires an agent continuously, and leaving the role empty starts you down the road to cancellation.
Can the agent charge me for leaving?
That would depend on your contract with them. It doesn't affect your right to appoint a new agent with the state.
Reviewed by Sean Webb, owner of Ohio Registered Statutory Agent LLC. Updated 2026-11-06. General information, not legal advice.