Ohio Code § 1703.19

Ohio Code § 1703.19. Reproduced from the official Ohio Revised Code, with a citation summary, verification link, and related provisions.

§ 1703.19.

The secretary of state shall be the agent of any foreign corporation licensed to do

business in this state, upon whom process against it from any court in this state

or from any public authorities may be served within this state if the designated agent

cannot be found, if the corporation has failed to designate another agent when required

to do so under sections 1703.01 to 1703.31 of the Revised Code , or if the license of a corporation to do business in this state has expired or has

been canceled.  Pursuant to such service, suit may be brought in the county where the principal

office of the corporation in this state is or was located, or in any county in which

the cause of action arose.  Such service shall be made upon the secretary of state by leaving with the secretary

of state, or with an assistant secretary of state, quadruplicate copies of such process

and a fee of five dollars which shall be included as taxable costs in case of judicial

proceedings.  Upon receipt of such process and fee the secretary of state shall forthwith give

notice to the corporation, at its principal office, at its principal office in this

state, and at any different address shown on its last franchise tax report filed in

this state, of the service of such process, by forwarding to each of such offices

by certified mail, with request for return receipt, a copy of such process, and shall

retain a copy of such process in the secretary of state's files. The secretary of state shall keep a record of any such process served upon the secretary

of state and shall record therein the time of such service and the secretary of state's

action thereafter with respect to it. This section does not affect any right to serve process upon a foreign corporation

in any other manner permitted by law.

Source: official Ohio text · Last verified 2026-08-27

At a glance

  • Citation: Ohio Revised Code § 1703.19
  • Jurisdiction: Ohio
  • Code: Ohio Revised Code
  • Text: transcribed from the official source (verify below)

Verify the text

Statute text is transcribed from the official Ohio Revised Code. Confirm it against the primary source before relying on it:

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed Ohio attorney.

Common questions

What is the source of Ohio Revised Code § 1703.19?

The text above is transcribed from the Ohio Revised Code, the codified statutes of Ohio. The official publisher link appears under "Verify the text" on this page.

What subject does Ohio Revised Code § 1703.19 address?

It addresses the rule set out in the section text. Read the section together with the surrounding provisions listed under "Nearby provisions" for the full picture.

Is Ohio Revised Code § 1703.19 still in force?

Statutes are amended, repealed, and renumbered every session. Confirm the current version at the official Ohio source before relying on this text.

Can this page be used as legal advice?

No. This is a reference transcription for research. Applying Ohio law to your facts requires a licensed Ohio attorney who can review the specifics.