Answer
The statutory agent rule applies to foreign companies too[2]. For a foreign for-profit corporation, Ohio's registration fee is $99[3].
Mainstay Filing serves as Ohio statutory agent for $149 a year, the same at renewal[1].
- Statutory Agent required
- Yes
- Foreign corporation fee
- $99 (min.)
- Foreign LLC fee
- Unverified here
- Foreign LLC report
- Not required
- Change of agent
- $25
- Mainstay Filing
- $149 a year
Updated October 29, 2026. Unverified figures are labeled.
Agent first
The statute is Ohio Rev. Code § 1706.09[2]. The eligible agents are an Ohio resident, or a business entity with a business address in Ohio.
Then the address. The address has to be the agent's home or usual place of business in Ohio. P.O. boxes and commercial mail receiving agencies are not accepted.
This is the practical hurdle for a foreign company: someone with an Ohio address has to accept its legal papers.
The usual route is a service. Mainstay Filing is $149 a year in Ohio, renewing at the same price[1]; elsewhere, first-year prices ran $89 to $596 (October 20, 2026).
Fees, verified and not
| Entity | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign for-profit corporation | $99 minimum | [3] ohiosos.gov, updated October 29, 2026 |
| Domestic corporation, for comparison | $99 | [4] ohiosos.gov, updated October 29, 2026 |
| Domestic LLC, for comparison | $99 | [5] codes.ohio.gov, updated October 29, 2026 |
| Foreign LLC | Not verified | See the Ohio Secretary of State fee schedule: www.ohiosos.gov/ |
The foreign LLC registration fee has not been verified for this page, so no figure is shown. Check it with the agency before filing.
Agent changes
When the agent changes, Ohio wants the Statutory Agent Update (Form 521) and $25[4].
Out-of-state owners rarely see Ohio mail directly, so a current statutory agent is how notices from Ohio reach them.
After registration
Ohio sets no recurring report for foreign LLCs[6].
Questions
Does a foreign LLC need a statutory agent in Ohio?
Yes, once it registers to do business in Ohio[2].
What does Ohio charge to register a foreign corporation?
$99 at minimum[3].
Can a service be the Ohio statutory agent for an out-of-state company?
Yes, and most do. For a company with no one in Ohio, Mainstay Filing supplies the Ohio address and acts as statutory agent for $149 a year[1].
Sources
- Mainstay Filing pricing, registered agent and FAQ pages. Updated October 29, 2026.
- Ohio Rev. Code § 1706.09 (statutory agent; Ohio's term for registered agent). codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1706.09. Updated October 29, 2026.
- Ohio Rev. Code 111.16(I)(1), cross-referencing 111.16(A) share schedule; Ohio Rev. Code 1703.04-1703.27. www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/business/forms/530a.pdf. Updated October 29, 2026.
- Ohio Rev. Code 111.16(A). www.ohiosos.gov/businesses/filing-forms--fee-schedule/. Updated October 29, 2026.
- Ohio Rev. Code § 1706.16 (Ohio Revised Limited Liability Company Act — articles of organization); fee set by ORC § 111.16(F). codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1706.16. Updated October 29, 2026.
- Ohio Secretary of State: foreign LLC report rules. www.ohiosos.gov/business/ohio-business-roadmap/frequently-asked-questions. Updated October 29, 2026.