Ohio § 1703.041

§ 1703.041.

(A) Every foreign corporation for profit that is licensed to transact business in this

state, and every foreign nonprofit corporation that is licensed to exercise its privileges

in this state, shall have and maintain an agent, sometimes referred to as the “designated

agent,” upon whom process against the corporation may be served within this state.  The agent shall be one of the following: (1) A natural person who is a resident of this state; (2) A domestic or foreign corporation, nonprofit corporation, limited liability company,

partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited partnership

association, professional association, business trust, or unincorporated nonprofit

association that has a business address in this state.  If the agent is an entity other than a domestic corporation, the agent shall meet

the requirements of Title XVII of the Revised Code for an entity of the agent's type

to transact business or exercise privileges in this state. (B)(1) The written appointment of a designated agent shall set forth the name and address

of the agent, including the street and number of the agent's primary residence in

this state or, if the agent is not a natural person, the agent's usual place of business

in this state, and shall otherwise be in such form as the secretary of state prescribes.  The secretary of state shall keep a record of the names of such foreign corporations

and the names and addresses of their respective agents. (2) As used in division (B)(1) of this section, “ usual place of business ” means a place in this state that is customarily open during normal business hours

and where an individual is generally present who is authorized to perform the services

of a registered agent, including accepting service of process and other notifications

for the person serving as a statutory agent.  “Usual place of business” does not include a post office box, regardless of whether

that post office box has an associated street address. (C) If the designated agent dies, removes from the state, or resigns, the foreign corporation

shall forthwith appoint another agent and file in the office of the secretary of state,

on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, a written appointment of the new agent. (D) If the designated agent changes the agent's address from that appearing upon the

record in the office of the secretary of state, the foreign corporation or the designated

agent in its behalf shall forthwith file with the secretary of state, on a form prescribed

by the secretary of state, a written statement setting forth the agent's new address. (E) A designated agent may resign by filing with the secretary of state, on a form prescribed

by the secretary of state, a signed statement to that effect.  The secretary of state shall forthwith mail a copy of the statement to the foreign

corporation at its principal office as shown by the record in the secretary of state's

office.  Upon the expiration of sixty days after the filing, the authority of the agent shall

terminate. (F) A foreign corporation may revoke the appointment of a designated agent by filing

with the secretary of state, on a form prescribed by the secretary of state, a written

appointment of another agent and a statement that the appointment of the former agent

is revoked. (G) Process may be served upon a foreign corporation by delivering a copy of it to its

designated agent, if a natural person, or by delivering a copy of it at the address

of its agent in this state, as the address appears upon the record in the office of

the secretary of state. (H) This section does not limit or affect the right to serve process upon a foreign corporation

in any other manner permitted by law.