Foreign Registration in Ohio

If your company is registered outside of Ohio it is required to obtain a certificate of authority before transacting business in the state.

This process is called “Foreign Qualification”, and it involves filing Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company (for LLCs), or Foreign Corporation Application for License (for corporations) with the Ohio Secretary of State.

To approve foreign qualification application Ohio Secretary of State does not require any documents from the home state for LLCs, but does require certificate of good standing or its equivalent from the home state for corporations. The certificate must be current within 90 days. Keep in mind, foreign entity is required to appoint and maintain a registered agent in Ohio on file at all times in order to be in good standing.

The filing process with Ohio Secretary of State could take about 4-5 business days, plus additional time for mailing. Expedited option of 1-2 business days, plus mailing time, is available for extra fee. Corporate applicants should also allow additional time for obtaining the certificate of good standing from their home state.