Ohio Articles of Incorporation

Ohio articles of incorporation are filed to create a corporation.

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.

Benefits

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:	532A: Initial Articles of Incorporation
Instructions:	Guide to Starting a Corporation in Ohio
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:	Ohio Revised Code - Chapter 1701: General Corporation Law
Notes:	The registered agent must sign. Preclearance Filing: For the purpose of advising as to the acceptability of the proposed filing, a form that is to be submitted at a later date for processing may be submitted for examination for a fee of $50.00. The Preclearance will be complete within 1-2 business days.

For Domestic Professional Corporations:

Agency:	Ohio Secretary of State
Form:	532C: Initial Articles of Incorporation
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.