The clock by entity type
| Entity | Authority ends | Statute |
|---|---|---|
| LLC, Ohio or foreign | 30 days after filing | ORC 1706.09(F) |
| For-profit corporation | 30 days after filing | ORC 1701.07(F) |
| Nonprofit corporation | 60 days after filing | ORC 1702.06(F) |
| Foreign corporation licensed here | 60 days after filing | ORC 1703.041 |
The clock runs from when the agent filed, not when you learned about it.
Why you may not hear about it
The agent only has to send a copy to the principal office on record. If your address on the state's record is old, the notice goes there. Many owners first learn about it from a state cancellation notice, or from a former provider's automated email that went to spam.
What to do today
- Look up the state's record to confirm the status.
- Choose a new agent and get their acceptance.
- File Form 521 to appoint them, with a paid rush if you are close to the deadline.
- Ask the old agent for anything they received before leaving.
- Update your principal office address too, if it is out of date.
Common reasons agents resign
- An unpaid renewal at a commercial agent.
- A friend or attorney who no longer wants the role.
- A dispute with a former partner.
- A commercial service leaving the market.
If the cancellation already happened
You'll need Form 525A to reinstate the business and name an agent. Do not assume that a new Form 521 will work on a canceled entity.
Need a replacement? Appoint us for $49 a year, and you can file the change yourself or ask us to.
Questions
Can an agent just quit without notice?
They don't need your permission, but they have to file a signed notice with the state and send a copy to your principal office on or before the filing date.
Is my old agent still accepting papers during the 30 days?
Their authority runs until the period ends. Still, ask what they will do with anything that arrives, and move quickly.
Reviewed by Sean Webb, owner of Ohio Registered Statutory Agent LLC. Updated 2026-11-06. General information, not legal advice.