If you just moved away
Look at your record. If it lists you at your old home, the listing no longer satisfies the statute (ORC 1706.09(A) and (D)). New residents may refuse mail meant for you, and a suit against the company might not reach you. File Form 521 to name a new agent.
Also update your principal office and contact addresses, so state notices find you.
Your options
- A relative or friend in Ohio. Free, but you depend on them to stay put and forward papers quickly.
- An Ohio attorney or accountant. Fine, often at a cost. See the trade-offs.
- A commercial agent. No dependence on someone you know, with scans available from anywhere.
Should your company stay in Ohio?
Moving yourself doesn't automatically move your company. If it keeps doing business in Ohio, an Ohio entity usually still makes sense. If it's moving, you might need to register in your new state, convert the entity, or dissolve and re-form. Your attorney or accountant can compare these, including tax implications.
Investors in Ohio real estate
Non-Ohio investors who hold Ohio rentals through an Ohio LLC need an Ohio agent, and they're often the owners least likely to notice a stale record. Read about rental LLCs.
Staying informed from a distance
With an out-of-state company owner, speed matters more. Our alerts go by text and email, you can read scans anywhere, and originals can be shipped to you at the carrier's cost.
Questions
If I live out of state, can my company be its own agent?
Only if the company has an Ohio business address and a usual place of business here, open normally with someone authorized to accept service. A home office in another state won't do it.
I split time between Ohio and Florida. Can I serve?
A person must be an Ohio resident using their primary Ohio residence. If your primary home is in Florida, you don't fit. If it's a close call, get advice or use a commercial agent.
Reviewed by Sean Webb, owner of Ohio Registered Statutory Agent LLC. Updated 2026-11-06. General information, not legal advice.