This breakdown outlines the exact purposes, practical usage, and real-world examples for each of the Ohio Secretary of State forms listed in the image.
1. Statutory Agent Update
- Form Number: 521
- Cost: $25.00
- Purpose: This form updates or changes the information for an entity’s statutory agent (also known as a registered agent in other states). By law, Ohio businesses must maintain a valid statutory agent with a physical Ohio street address to accept official state correspondence and legal service of process.
| Reason to Use | Example Scenario |
| Appointing a New Agent | Your original agent resigns, retires, or leaves the company, and you need to appoint a new person or a professional registered agent service. |
| Changing an Agent’s Address | Your statutory agent moves their primary residence or business office to a new physical address within Ohio. (Note: P.O. Boxes are prohibited). |
| Agent Resignation | You act as the agent for a business but no longer wish to hold that legal responsibility, so you formally submit your resignation. |
2. Domestic LLC Certificate of Amendment or Restatement
- Form Number: 611
- Cost: $50.00
- Purpose: Used to officially modify the permanent terms of your LLC’s Articles of Organization. An Amendment changes specific text or provisions, while a Restatement cleans up the record by consolidating the original articles and all subsequent amendments into one clean, updated document.
| Reason to Use | Example Scenario |
| Changing the Legal Company Name | “Midwest Consulting LLC” decides to rebrand and legally change its corporate name to “Apex Strategy Systems LLC”. |
| Amending the Business Purpose | An LLC originally formed strictly for real estate investing decides to expand into commercial logistics and needs to broaden its stated company purpose. |
| Adding a Series of Assets | An Ohio LLC opts to structure itself with distinct segregated asset pools, attaching an optional provision to establish a series structure. |
3. Certificate of Correction For a Domestic or Foreign LLC
- Form Number: 612
- Cost: $50.00
- Purpose: Specifically designated to fix typographical errors, clerical mistakes, or accidental omissions in a previously filed state record. A correction relates back to the original filing date to ensure historical accuracy, whereas an amendment only applies moving forward.
| Reason to Use | Example Scenario |
| Clerical Typo Corrections | While filling out initial paperwork, you accidentally type “123 Main Street” instead of “123 Main Street”, or completely misspell a founding member’s name. |
| Inaccurate Formation Details | An authorized signer accidentally checked the wrong box regarding the LLC’s management structure or effective timeline on an earlier filing. |
4. Statement of Authority For a Domestic LLC
- Form Number: 613
- Cost: $50.00
- Purpose: This form provides a matter of public record indicating who is authorized to sign documents and bind the LLC to legal contracts, or conversely, states specific limitations on what certain members or managers can do.
| Reason to Use | Example Scenario |
| Granting Executing Power | An LLC wants to publicly declare that its Vice President of Operations has the sole corporate authority to execute multi-million dollar real estate transactions. |
| Restricting Transaction Capabilities | The company records a limitation stating that no single manager has the authority to sell or mortgage company-owned land without a unanimous vote from all LLC members. |
5. Certificate of Dissolution for LLC
- Form Number: 616
- Cost: $50.00
- Purpose: This form formally winds down, closes, and terminates the legal existence of a domestic Limited Liability Company in the state of Ohio.
| Reason to Use | Example Scenario |
| Voluntary Business Closure | Business partners decide to retire or pursue other careers, settle all remaining corporate liabilities, and formally dissolve the business entity. |
| Project Completion | A joint venture LLC formed strictly to build one specific commercial building completes the project, distributes the final profits, and shuts down the entity. |
