How to Start a Corporation in Ohio

In order to start an Ohio corporation, you will need to choose a business name, appoint a statutory agent — also known as a registered agent — and file the Articles of Incorporation with the Ohio Secretary of State.  

You will also need to hold an organizational meeting, where you will appoint your initial directors and create your corporation’s bylaws.

We’ll show you how to start a corporation in Ohio yourself.

Or, simply use a professional service:

Northwest ($29 + state fee)

It's Easy to Incorporate in Ohio

Step 1: Name Your Corporation
Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent
Step 3: Hold an Organizational Meeting
Step 4: File the Articles of Incorporation
Step 5: Get an EIN

For a look at corporation formation in every state, check out our other How to Start a Corporation guides.

Not sure if a corporation is right for you? Check out our LLC vs. Corporation guide to help you make your decision.

Step 1: Name Your Ohio Corporation

Choosing a business name is the first step in starting a corporation. 

1. Ohio naming guidelines:

Your corporation’s name:

• Must contain the word “corporation,” “company,” or “incorporated” or a suitable abbreviation of one of these terms (e.g., corp, co, inc, etc.). 
• Must be distinguishable from any existing business in your state. This includes Ohio reserved names, as well as foreign corporations authorized to conduct business in Ohio. 
• Cannot imply that the corporation is sponsored by or affiliated with a government agency of Ohio, another state, or a government body without prior authorization.
• Cannot include any of the following words without prior approval from the superintendent of financial institutions: bank, banker, banking, trust, or words of similar meaning in any other language.
• Cannot contain profanity or words or phrases that are generally considered a slur against an ethnic group, religion, gender, or heredity.

Read the Ohio state statute regarding corporation naming guidelines for more information.

 2. Is my corporation name available in Ohio?

Your Ohio corporation name must be unique and distinguishable from other business names in Ohio. Use the Ohio Secretary of State’s Business Search Portal to determine if your desired business name is available.

3. Is the URL available?

Before registering your Ohio corporation, you’ll need to check if a good URL is available for your business name. It’s important to secure your URL right away.

Step 2: Choose an Ohio Registered Agent

You must appoint an Ohio statutory agent, also known as a registered agent, when registering your corporation with the Ohio Secretary of State. 

A registered agent is an individual or entity appointed to receive service of process, government correspondence, and compliance documents on behalf of a business.

Your registered agent can be an individual, business entity, or professional registered agent service. Any member of the corporation or individual can serve as your Ohio statutory agent as long as the person:

• is 18 years or older
• has a physical address in the state where business activity is conducted
• is available (in person) during normal business hours

Recommended: Northwest offers one year of free registered agent services with their corporation formation package ($29 + State Fees).

Step 3: Hold an Organizational Meeting

Before you officially file the Articles of Incorporation in Step 4, you will need to hold an organizational meeting to complete the following tasks:

• Fill out and execute the Articles of Incorporation
• Create and approve bylaws
• Select your initial director(s)
• Determine your share structure
• Execute an Incorporator’s Statement

Create and Approve Corporate Bylaws

Bylaws are the rules that determine how your organization will be governed and run. For detailed instructions on creating your bylaws, read our corporate bylaws guide.

Initial Directors

You must appoint at least one director who will oversee your Ohio corporation until the first shareholder meeting.

A corporate director is in charge of the adoption, amendment, and repeal of operational bylaws as well as the election, supervision, and removal of officers.

After forming the corporation, the incorporator(s) — or initial director(s), if named on the formation documents — should call an organizational meeting. During this initial meeting, either the incorporator(s) will elect the board of directors or the initial director(s) will appoint the officers. 

Choose a Share Structure and Strategy

A share of stock is the unit of ownership of a corporation. Each share of stock represents a percentage of ownership of the company. For example, if a corporation issues one share of stock the shareholder (stock owner) would then own 100% of the corporation. 

Shares can be structured into classes. Each class, termed a share class, holds different rights and privileges. You can have multiple classes and each class can hold any number of shares.

You may only use the Articles of Incorporation form issued by the Ohio Secretary of State to start a corporation with one share class: common stock or preferred stock. If the corporation needs a multiple share class structure, you must add an attachment to your Articles of Incorporation form. 

Common Stock vs. Preferred Stock
Common stock gives its shareholder voting rights whereas preferred stock does not. When it comes to company assets, preferred stockholders are paid before common stockholders.

Authorized Shares: the number of shares the corporation is allowed to issue.
Issued Shares: the total number of shares actually issued to shareholders.
Share Class: a group of shares that has a unique set of rights and privileges.

Create and Execute an Incorporator’s Statement

The incorporator(s) should sign an Incorporator’s Statement with complete names and addresses of each initial director and store it in the corporate records book. 

This document names the initial director(s) that will serve until the board of directors is elected during the first shareholder meeting. It should be stored with the rest of your corporate records.

Step 4: File the Ohio Articles of Incorporation

You will need to file the Ohio Articles of Incorporation to set up a corporation in Ohio. You can file it by mail or online with the Ohio Secretary of State. The filing cost is $99. 

This document will cover the basics of your corporation, including:

• Corporate name and address
• Corporate registered agent name, signature, and mailing address
• The number of authorized shares the corporation is allowed to issue
• Initial stated capital
• Incorporator(s) name(s) and signature(s)

You may only use the Articles of Incorporation form issued by the Ohio Secretary of State to start a corporation with one share class: common stock or preferred stock. If the corporation needs a multiple share class structure, you must add an attachment to your Articles of Incorporation form. 

Common stock gives its shareholder voting rights whereas preferred stock does not. When it comes to company assets, preferred stockholders are paid before common stockholders.

File the Ohio Articles of Incorporation

Option 1: File Online With Ohio Business Central

- OR -

Option 2: File the Articles of Incorporation by Mail

Filing Cost: $99

Mailing Address:
Ohio Secretary of State
P.O. Box 670
Columbus, OH 43216

Step 5: Get an EIN for Your Ohio Corporation

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is used by the federal government to identify a business entity. It is essentially a Social Security number for the company. An EIN is needed:

• To open a bank account for the company
• For federal and state tax purposes
• To hire employees

Get an EIN

Option 1: Request an EIN from the IRS

Apply Online

- OR -

Option 2: Apply for an EIN by Mail or Fax

Download Form

Mail to:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999

Fax: (855) 641-6935

Fee: Free

Running Your Corporation

It is very important to adhere to the formalities of running a corporation. Read our How to Run a Corporation guide to learn more.

Taxes & Licensing

Ohio State Corporation Tax Requirements

Depending on the nature of your business, you may be required to register for one or more forms of state tax:

Ohio Sales Tax

If you’re selling a product, you’ll typically need to register for a seller's permit through the Ohio Business Gateway website. This allows a business to collect sales tax.

Ohio Employer Taxes

If you hire employees, you will need to register for Ohio employer taxes through the Ohio Business Gateway website. This includes Employee Withholding Tax, Unemployment Insurance Tax, and Disability Insurance.

Ohio Corporation Licenses and Permits

To operate your corporation in Ohio, you must comply with federal, state, and local government regulations. For example, restaurants likely need health permits, building permits, signage permits, etc.

Learn more in our Ohio Business License guide.

Corporate Dissolution & Ohio Good Standing

How to Get a Ohio Certificate of Good Standing

A Certificate of Good Standing verifies that your Ohio corporation was legally formed and has been properly maintained.

You may order a Certificate of Good Standing in Ohio online with the Secretary of State. The fee is $5.

Order an Ohio Certificate of Good Standing

Request a Certificate From the Ohio Secretary of State

Fee: $5

How to Dissolve a Corporation in Ohio

If at any point you would like to permanently stop doing business, or close your business, it is important to officially dissolve your corporation. Failure to do so in a timely fashion can result in tax liabilities, penalties, or even legal trouble.

There are six main steps to close your Ohio corporation:

• Stop doing business
• Hold a board meeting, vote on dissolution, and record the meeting in the corporation minutes
• File a Notification of Dissolution with the Ohio Department of Taxation and receive a tax clearance certificate
• File the Certificate of Dissolution with the Ohio Secretary of State
• Close your federal and state business tax accounts with the IRS and Ohio Department of Taxation
• Close your business bank accounts

File Dissolution Documents

After receiving a Certificate of Tax Clearance from the Ohio Department of Taxation, you must file a Certificate of Dissolution with the Ohio Secretary of State. You can file it online with Ohio Business Central or by mailing a printable copy of the certificate. The filing fee is $50.

Is a Corporation Right For You?

An LLC provides limited liability protection without corporate complexity.
Find out if an LLC is the right structure for you.

LLC vs. Corporation | Form an LLC

Steps After Forming a Corporation

After forming a corporation, you’ll want to protect your personal and business assets and build credit.

Taking these steps will set your business up for success:

• Open a Business Bank Account
• Open a Business Credit Card
• Establish and Build Business Credit
• Get Insurance
• Protect Your Corporate Veil

Ohio Corporation FAQ

Ohio Corporation Quick Links

Ohio SOS Corporation Forms
Ohio SOS Business FAQ
Ohio Name Availability Guide
Ohio Corporation Statutes