Ohio Articles of Incorporation
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Affordable investment starting at $99 to set up your limited liability protection.
What Are Ohio Articles of Incorporation?
Preparing and filing your articles of incorporation is the first step in starting your business corporation. Approval of this document secures your corporate name and creates the legal entity of the corporation. Only after this approval can the corporation apply for tax IDs, obtain business licenses, sign contracts, and otherwise conduct business.
Incorporating provides many important benefits:
- Limits the liability of directors, officers, and shareholders
- Fulfills statutory requirements to register your business name
- Provides governance and adds credibility
Fast Facts
For Domestic Corporations:
| Agency: | Ohio Secretary of State |
| Form: | |
| Instructions: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $99 + optional $50 preclearance + optional $100-300 expedite service |
| Turnaround: | ~3-7 business days. ~2 business days for $100 expedite fee. ~1 business day for $200 expedite fee. ~4 hours for $300 expedite fee and if delivered in-person by 1PM. |
| Law: | |
| Notes: |
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For Domestic Professional Corporations:
| Agency: | Ohio Secretary of State |
| Form: | |
| Filing Method: | Mail, in-person or online. |
| Agency Fee: | $99 |
Other Helpful Ohio Facts
As you are preparing to incorporate, keep in mind the following requirements specific to Ohio.
Ohio Directors
- Number: One or more required.
- Qualifications: None.
- Quorum: Majority of directors, unless articles of incorporation or bylaws fixes a different number.
Ohio Officers
- President, secretary, and treasurer required.
Ohio Bylaws
- Required: No.
Ohio Annual Shareholder Meeting
- Required: Yes.
- Action by written consent: Allowed if by all shareholders entitled to vote on the action.
Ohio Shareholders
- Qualifications: N/A
- Stock Certificate: Not required.
- Voting Trusts Allowed: Yes.
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