Ohio Form 532B is the Certificate of Amendment by Shareholders, Members or Directors that Ohio for-profit corporations, nonprofit corporations, and professional associations file with the Ohio Secretary of State to change their articles of incorporation. The form is the legal record that updates a corporate name, purpose clause, share structure, duration, or any other founding term that lives in the original articles.
Filing the wrong version, skipping a required box, or sending it without the right signature authority will get the filing kicked back, and a rejection during a closing, financing, or rebrand can cost a company days it does not have. The Ohio Secretary of State processes roughly 200,000 business filings a year, and corrections and rejections account for a meaningful share of delays each quarter, according to the Ohio Business Filings dashboard.
Here is what this guide covers:
- 📄 What Form 532B actually is, who must file it, and which Ohio Revised Code chapter governs your corporation
- 🧾 The full pre-filing checklist of documents, IDs, resolutions, and prior filings you need on your desk before you open the form
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every box on the current Ohio Secretary of State revision, with sample entries
- 👥 Three full named-person scenarios showing exactly what a small business owner, a nonprofit director, and a professional corporation file
- ⚠️ The top mistakes Ohio examiners reject Form 532B for, plus 12+ FAQs answering the field-level questions filers ask most
What Form 532B Is and Who Must File It
Form 532B is the prescribed Certificate of Amendment form used to amend the articles of incorporation of an existing Ohio entity. The form is single-purpose: it records that the shareholders, members, or directors of the corporation have adopted an amendment, and it tells the Secretary of State exactly what language now replaces or supplements the original articles. It is filed under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1701 for for-profit corporations, Chapter 1702 for nonprofits, and Chapter 1785 for professional associations.
Three entity types use Form 532B. For-profit Ohio corporations file under R.C. 1701.71 when shareholders or directors adopt an amendment. Nonprofit corporations file under R.C. 1702.31 when voting members or trustees adopt the change. Professional associations governed by Chapter 1785 use the same form, because professional corporations are organized as Ohio corporations and share the same amendment mechanics.
The trigger for filing is any change to a term that appears in your articles of incorporation. That includes a new corporate name, a change to the stated purpose, a new effective date for the entity, an increase or decrease in authorized shares, a change in par value, the creation of a new class or series of shares, a change in the number of directors stated in the articles, or any other change that the Ohio Secretary of State’s business services page lists as an amendment-eligible item. Internal bylaws changes do not require Form 532B because bylaws are not filed with the state.
The receiving agency is the Ohio Secretary of State’s Business Services Division in Columbus. The statute that requires the filing is R.C. 1701.73 for for-profits and R.C. 1702.33 for nonprofits, which require the certificate to be filed before the amendment takes effect. The penalty for failing to file is functional rather than monetary: the amendment is not legally effective against third parties until the certificate is on record, which means your bank, your closing attorney, and any state licensing board will keep treating you as the old entity.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Open the form with everything below sitting in front of you, because Ohio rejects filings that contain inconsistent data between the form and the underlying corporate record. The Ohio Business Central portal auto-populates some fields from the existing entity record, and a mismatch between what you type and what the state has on file is the single most common rejection reason.
- Your Ohio entity charter number, the six- or seven-digit number assigned when the corporation first registered, because every box on the form keys back to this number.
- The exact legal name of the corporation as it appears on the current record, because even a missing comma between the name and the corporate ending (Inc., Co., Corp.) will trigger a name mismatch flag.
- A signed resolution or written consent of the shareholders, members, or directors authorizing the amendment, because Form 532B is a certificate of an action already taken, not the action itself.
- The exact amendment language you want added or substituted, drafted in the same format as the original articles, because the state copies your text directly into the official record.
- The vote tally (shares voted for and against, or number of members voting), because some amendments require a supermajority and the state cross-checks the math.
- The revision date printed at the bottom of the form, currently the most recent prescribed version, because filing on an outdated form is grounds for automatic rejection.
- The filing fee, which is $50 for standard processing, with expedited options available, payable to “Ohio Secretary of State.”
- A valid credit card, debit card, or ACH account if filing online, or a check/money order if filing by mail or in person.
- A return email address for the filing confirmation and the file-stamped copy, because the Secretary of State sends the certified copy electronically by default.
- The name and contact information of the person to receive the file-stamped copy, because this address is where the state sends the official certified copy.
- Any paired forms that the amendment triggers, such as Form 521 if you are also moving the principal office, or Form 524A if you are changing the statutory agent.
- The prior amendments on file, because Form 532B asks you to certify the amendment is consistent with the current articles, and you cannot make that certification without reading what is already there.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official PDF of Form 532B is hosted on the Ohio Secretary of State forms page under the “Domestic For-Profit Corporation” and “Domestic Nonprofit Corporation” categories. Always download the form fresh on the day you file, because the Secretary of State periodically reissues forms with new revision dates and the office rejects filings made on superseded versions. The revision date appears in the lower-left corner of every page.
The online filing channel is the Ohio Business Central portal, which walks filers through a guided version of Form 532B with the same fields as the PDF. The portal requires a free account, and once signed in, the corporation’s existing data populates the entity-identification boxes automatically. The portal accepts credit card, debit card, or ACH payment and returns a file-stamped PDF within minutes for expedited filings.
The paper PDF is the right choice when the amendment language is long, when multiple corporations are filing related amendments at the same time, or when an attorney prefers a wet-ink signature for the closing binder. Download, complete, print, sign, and mail the form to Ohio Secretary of State, P.O. Box 1390, Columbus, OH 43216 for standard processing, or to 22 North Fourth Street, Columbus, OH 43215 for in-person and expedited drop-off.
Form 532B is free to download, and there is no charge to start an Ohio Business Central account. The only money that changes hands is the filing fee itself, paid at submission. The fee schedule page lists every current price, and that page is the authoritative source if a fee changes mid-year.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Ohio Form 532B Line by Line
Form 532B is short compared to most state corporate filings — typically two pages — but every box has rejection potential. Work top to bottom and do not skip a field, even if it looks optional, because Ohio examiners read the form as a single sworn certificate.
Top-of-Form: Form Title and Revision Date Confirmation
The top of the form prints the title “Certificate of Amendment by Shareholders, Members or Directors” and the form number 532B, with the revision date in the bottom-left footer. In plain English, this header tells the state which form you are filing and which version of it.
To answer it, do nothing — these fields are pre-printed. Your job is to confirm that the revision date in the footer matches the current version listed on the Secretary of State forms page.
A specific example: Jordan Reyes, owner of Buckeye Bakehouse Inc., downloads the form on the morning of filing and confirms the footer reads the current prescribed revision before printing.
The nuance is that if you saved the PDF months ago, the form may have been replaced. Always re-download.
The common mistake here is filing on a stale revision, and the consequence is an immediate rejection letter and a delay of several business days.
The misconception is that “the form is the form” — but the Secretary of State treats outdated revisions as nonconforming filings, even when the fields look identical.
Box 1: Name of the Corporation
Box 1 asks for the exact legal name of the corporation as it currently appears on the state’s record. In plain English, write the name of the entity that is amending its articles.
To answer it, type the corporate name including the corporate ending exactly as registered, in standard case (not all caps unless the registered name itself is all caps). Match the punctuation in the existing record, including periods after Inc. or Co. if those were in the original filing.
A specific example: Buckeye Bakehouse Inc. enters its name as Buckeye Bakehouse Inc. — with a period after Inc and no comma between Bakehouse and Inc.
The nuance is that if the corporation has done business under a fictitious name or a trade name, Box 1 still requires the legal name, not the trade name. Trade names are handled on Form 534A.
A common mistake on Box 1 is dropping the corporate ending or changing punctuation, and the consequence is that the Secretary of State flags the name as a mismatch and returns the filing.
A misconception is that the state will auto-correct minor spelling or punctuation differences. It will not — the name must match the record character for character.
Box 2: Ohio Charter Number
Box 2 asks for the entity’s Ohio charter number, the unique identifier assigned at the time of original incorporation. In plain English, this is the state’s file number for your corporation.
To answer it, look up the number on the Ohio Business Search tool by typing your corporate name, then copy the charter number into the box exactly as displayed, with no spaces or dashes unless shown.
A specific example: Buckeye Bakehouse Inc. searches the business search tool, finds its entity number listed as 2384521, and writes 2384521 in Box 2.
The nuance is that older corporations may have charter numbers shorter than current ones; do not add leading zeros to “match” a longer format.
The common mistake is transposing two digits, and the consequence is that the filing is associated with the wrong (or no) entity and is rejected.
A misconception is that the EIN (federal employer identification number) and the Ohio charter number are interchangeable. They are not — the EIN is issued by the IRS and has no role on Form 532B.
Box 3: Adopting Body Checkbox (Shareholders, Members, or Directors)
Box 3 asks who adopted the amendment, with checkboxes for shareholders, members, or directors. In plain English, the state needs to know which body of the corporation voted.
To answer it, check exactly one box that matches your entity type and the body that actually voted. For-profit corporations almost always check shareholders, nonprofits check members (or directors if the nonprofit has no members), and director-only amendments are limited to specific items authorized by R.C. 1701.70(B).
A specific example: Jordan Reyes, the sole shareholder of Buckeye Bakehouse Inc., checks the shareholders box because the amendment changes the corporate name.
The nuance is that R.C. 1701.70(B) lets directors alone adopt certain narrow amendments (such as a change of statutory agent or a stock split where authorized). For nonprofits, R.C. 1702.30 governs which body votes.
The common mistake is checking directors when the amendment legally requires shareholder approval, and the consequence is that the amendment is voidable and the filing may be rejected if the mismatch is obvious on the face of the form.
A misconception is that the board can “ratify” a shareholder-required amendment by checking the directors box. It cannot — the statute controls the adopting body.
Box 4: Date of Adoption
Box 4 asks for the date the shareholders, members, or directors adopted the amendment. In plain English, this is the date your corporate vote happened.
To answer it, write the adoption date in MM/DD/YYYY format. Use the date the written consent was signed by the last required signer, or the date of the meeting at which the vote was taken.
A specific example: Buckeye Bakehouse Inc. held its shareholder meeting on March 14, 2026, and writes 03/14/2026 in Box 4.
The nuance is that for written consents signed over several days, the controlling date is the day the last required signature was obtained, not the first.
The common mistake is writing the date the form is being filled out rather than the date of adoption, and the consequence is a sworn certificate that does not match the corporate minute book — a real problem in any later audit or M&A diligence.
The misconception is that the adoption date and the effective date are the same. They are not — Ohio lets you set a delayed effective date in a separate field.
Box 5: Vote Tally (For-Profit Corporations) or Member Count (Nonprofits)
Box 5 asks for the number of shares voted in favor of the amendment, or for nonprofits, the number of members who voted yes. In plain English, this is the math that proves the amendment passed.
To answer it, enter the number of shares (or members) voting for the amendment, and where the form provides, the total outstanding. For-profit amendments generally require a majority of voting power under R.C. 1701.71, though the articles may set a higher threshold.
A specific example: Buckeye Bakehouse Inc. has 1,000 shares outstanding, all held by Jordan Reyes, and Box 5 reflects 1,000 shares voted in favor.
The nuance is that if the articles require a supermajority (two-thirds, three-fourths) or a class vote, the tally must reflect both the overall vote and any class-level votes.
The common mistake is omitting class votes when the amendment affects a particular class of shares, and the consequence is rejection or, worse, a later challenge by a class shareholder whose vote was not certified.
A misconception is that unanimous consent skips the tally box. It does not — even a sole shareholder must enter the share count.
Box 6: Text of the Amendment
Box 6 is the heart of the filing — it asks for the exact language of the amendment. In plain English, write what the articles now say after the change.
To answer it, draft the amendment in the same format as the original articles, using “RESOLVED that Article ___ is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows:” followed by the new text. Number any new articles to fit the existing numbering scheme.
A specific example: Buckeye Bakehouse Inc. writes “RESOLVED that Article FIRST is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows: The name of the corporation is Buckeye Artisan Bakehouse Inc.”
The nuance is that for share-structure amendments, the language must restate the full authorized capital so the record is unambiguous, even if only one class changed.
The common mistake is referencing “the attached Exhibit A” without attaching it, and the consequence is rejection because the certificate is incomplete on its face.
The misconception is that you can write “see resolution” and skip the language. The state copies Box 6 verbatim into the corporate record — if it is blank, the amendment is meaningless.
Box 7: Effective Date (Optional)
Box 7 lets you set a delayed effective date up to 90 days after filing. In plain English, this is when the amendment legally takes effect if you do not want it effective immediately.
To answer it, either leave it blank (the amendment is effective on filing) or enter a future date in MM/DD/YYYY format no more than 90 days out, per R.C. 1701.04(C).
A specific example: Buckeye Bakehouse Inc. wants the new name to coincide with its rebrand launch and writes 04/01/2026 in Box 7.
The nuance is that you cannot back-date — the effective date must be on or after the filing date.
The common mistake is choosing a date more than 90 days out, and the consequence is rejection because the date exceeds the statutory window.
A misconception is that the effective date overrides the adoption date for corporate-action purposes. It does not — the adoption date controls when the board or shareholders acted; the effective date controls when third parties are bound.
Signature Block: Authorized Officer Signature, Printed Name, Title, and Date
The signature block asks for an authorized officer’s signature, printed name, title, and the date of signing. In plain English, somebody with corporate authority swears that everything on the form is true.
To answer it, have the president, vice president, secretary, or assistant secretary sign in ink (paper filing) or apply the e-signature (online portal), print the name, write the title exactly as it appears in the corporate records, and add the date of signing.
A specific example: Jordan Reyes signs as President, prints Jordan Reyes below, writes President in the title line, and dates the signature 03/18/2026.
The nuance is that for nonprofits without members, a trustee may sign; for professional associations, only a licensed professional shareholder may sign.
The common mistake is using a title that does not exist in the corporate records (e.g., “Owner” instead of “President”), and the consequence is rejection for unverified signing authority.
The misconception is that any director or shareholder can sign. They cannot — the statute limits signing authority to specific officers under R.C. 1701.73(C).
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below show how very different filers complete the same form. Names, share counts, and adoption dates are illustrative.
Scenario 1: Jordan Reyes Changes the Corporate Name of Buckeye Bakehouse Inc.
Jordan owns 100% of a small Columbus bakery and is rebranding as Buckeye Artisan Bakehouse Inc. to match a new product line.
| Form Section | What Jordan Enters |
|---|---|
| Form revision check | Confirms the footer revision matches the current prescribed version |
| Box 1 — Name | Buckeye Bakehouse Inc. |
| Box 2 — Charter Number | 2384521 |
| Box 3 — Adopting Body | Shareholders (checked) |
| Box 4 — Date of Adoption | 03/14/2026 |
| Box 5 — Vote Tally | 1,000 shares for; 0 against; 1,000 outstanding |
| Box 6 — Amendment Text | “Article FIRST is amended to read: The name of the corporation is Buckeye Artisan Bakehouse Inc.” |
| Box 7 — Effective Date | 04/01/2026 |
| Signature | Jordan Reyes, President, 03/18/2026 |
| Filing channel | Ohio Business Central portal, $50 standard fee |
Scenario 2: Aisha Okafor Files for Northside Community Arts (Nonprofit) Amending Its Purpose
Aisha chairs the board of a small Cleveland 501(c)(3) and the members vote to broaden the stated purpose to include youth music programs.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Top of form | Confirms current revision date |
| Box 1 — Name | Northside Community Arts |
| Box 2 — Charter Number | 1987342 |
| Box 3 — Adopting Body | Members (checked) |
| Box 4 — Date of Adoption | 02/22/2026 |
| Box 5 — Tally | 47 members for; 3 against; 52 voting members of record |
| Box 6 — Amendment Text | “Article THIRD is amended to add: ‘and to provide youth music education programs.’” |
| Box 7 — Effective Date | Left blank (effective on filing) |
| Signature | Aisha Okafor, Secretary, 02/24/2026 |
| Filing channel | Mailed paper filing with $50 check |
Scenario 3: Dr. Marcus Hale, P.C. Increases Authorized Shares for a Professional Corporation
Marcus is a licensed dentist in Cincinnati operating as a professional corporation under Chapter 1785, and he is adding a second licensed shareholder by issuing more shares.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Top of form | Confirms current revision date |
| Box 1 — Name | Marcus Hale DDS, P.C. |
| Box 2 — Charter Number | 3120998 |
| Box 3 — Adopting Body | Shareholders (checked) |
| Box 4 — Date of Adoption | 01/30/2026 |
| Box 5 — Tally | 500 shares for; 0 against; 500 outstanding |
| Box 6 — Amendment Text | “Article FOURTH is amended to read: The total number of shares the corporation is authorized to issue is 2,000 common shares, no par value.” |
| Box 7 — Effective Date | 02/15/2026 |
| Signature | Marcus Hale, President, 02/02/2026 |
| Filing channel | In-person at 22 N. Fourth St. with $100 expedited (2-business-day) fee |
A fourth named filer worth knowing is Priya Shah, corporate secretary of a Toledo manufacturer that uses Form 532B to create a new Series A preferred stock class. A fifth is Robert Becker, a Dayton attorney who files Form 532B to extend a corporation’s stated duration from 50 years to perpetual existence.
How to File the Completed Form
The Secretary of State accepts Form 532B through three channels, and each has its own logistics, payment options, and proof of filing. Choose based on urgency and document length.
Online filing is the Ohio Business Central portal at bizportal.ohiosos.gov. The standard fee is $50, payable by credit card, debit card, or ACH. Standard processing is currently three to seven business days, with expedited options of $100 for 2-business-day, $200 for 1-business-day, and $300 for 4-hour service per the fee schedule. The proof of filing is the file-stamped PDF that the portal emails on completion — save it to your corporate minute book.
Mail filing goes to Ohio Secretary of State, P.O. Box 1390, Columbus, OH 43216 for standard processing. The fee is the same $50, paid by check or money order made out to “Ohio Secretary of State.” Mail processing currently runs about one to two weeks once the envelope is received. The proof of filing is the certified copy returned by mail — keep the original envelope and any tracking record until the copy arrives.
In-person filing is accepted at the Client Service Center at 22 North Fourth Street, Columbus, OH 43215. This is the only channel that offers same-day 4-hour expedite for $300. Payment is by check, money order, credit card, or cash for the fee plus expedite. The proof of filing is the file-stamped copy handed back across the counter.
Fax filing is not available for Form 532B. Any submission must use one of the three channels above, and unsigned, unpaid, or wrong-version submissions are returned without processing.
What Happens After You File
Once the Secretary of State accepts the filing, the office stamps the document, assigns a filing date, and posts the amended record to the Ohio Business Search database, usually within 24 hours of acceptance. The amendment is legally effective on the filing date unless Box 7 set a later effective date. Your charter number does not change — only the underlying record is updated.
The next step is internal: update your corporate minute book with the file-stamped copy, the underlying resolution, and any new stock certificates if the amendment changed share structure. Notify your bank, your registered agent, your CPA, your insurance carriers, and any state licensing board that holds your corporate name on file. For name changes, also update your fictitious-name registrations and your IRS records via Form 8822-B.
If the filing is rejected, the Secretary of State sends a rejection letter listing the reasons. Common reasons include wrong-version form, name mismatch with the record, missing signature authority, and incomplete amendment text. You may correct and refile, and the refile is treated as a new filing with a new filing date — meaning any delayed effective date in Box 7 must be recalculated.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Filing on an outdated revision of Form 532B — the Secretary of State rejects nonconforming versions without review.
- Mismatching the corporate name in Box 1 against the state record — even punctuation differences cause rejection.
- Entering the EIN in Box 2 instead of the Ohio charter number — the form will not match any entity.
- Checking directors in Box 3 for an amendment that statutorily requires shareholder approval — the certification is invalid.
- Writing the form-completion date instead of the actual adoption date in Box 4 — creates a sworn discrepancy with the minute book.
- Omitting class votes in Box 5 when the amendment affects a specific share class — the amendment is challengeable.
- Writing “see attached” in Box 6 without attaching the exhibit — the certificate is incomplete on its face.
- Setting an effective date in Box 7 more than 90 days after filing — violates R.C. 1701.04(C) and triggers rejection.
- Signing with a title not recognized in the corporate records — the Secretary of State cannot verify authority.
- Failing to include the correct fee or sending an unsigned check — the filing is held until payment is cured.
- Forgetting to update the statutory agent on Form 524A when the amendment also changes the agent — the agent record stays stale.
- Mailing the form to the P.O. Box for expedited service — expedites must be hand-delivered or filed online.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do download Form 532B fresh on the day of filing, because revision dates change without notice.
- Do match the corporate name and charter number to the Ohio Business Search record exactly, because the examiner cross-checks every character.
- Do attach the underlying resolution to your minute book even though Ohio does not require it to be filed, because lenders and buyers will ask for it later.
- Do file online when speed and a digital certified copy matter, because the portal returns the file-stamped PDF the fastest.
- Do calendar your Box 7 effective date, because banks, payors, and licensing boards will need to be notified on that exact day.
- Do keep the rejection letter if you have to refile, because it documents your good-faith original attempt for any later timing dispute.
Don’ts
- Don’t list a trade name or DBA in Box 1, because Box 1 requires the legal corporate name only.
- Don’t sign Form 532B before the shareholders or members have actually voted, because the certificate is a sworn statement that the vote already happened.
- Don’t combine multiple unrelated amendments without renumbering them clearly, because ambiguous text in Box 6 invites future disputes.
- Don’t pay with personal funds and assume reimbursement is automatic, because the payor of record matters for some lenders.
- Don’t mail expedited filings to the P.O. Box, because expedites must be hand-delivered or submitted through the online portal.
- Don’t forget the IRS Form 8822-B notification after a name change, because the IRS does not learn about Ohio amendments automatically.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing pro se
- Lower out-of-pocket cost, because you avoid attorney or filing-service fees.
- Faster turnaround on simple amendments like name changes, because there is no back-and-forth with outside counsel.
- Direct control of the amendment language, because you draft Box 6 yourself.
- Better institutional knowledge, because you learn the form for next time.
- Cleaner audit trail, because there is no third-party intermediary between the corporate record and the state.
Cons of filing pro se
- Higher risk of rejection for technical errors, because the Secretary of State does not coach pro se filers.
- No legal advice on whether shareholder or director adoption is required, because that is a statutory analysis under R.C. 1701.71.
- Risk of drafting ambiguous Box 6 language, because amendment text becomes the legal record.
- No malpractice coverage if the amendment is later challenged, because you have no professional standing behind the filing.
- Lost time during a closing or financing if a rejection forces a refile, because every business day matters when a deal is moving.
Form 532B vs. Form 540 at a Glance
| Topic | Form 532B vs. Form 540 |
|---|---|
| Form 532B purpose | Amends articles by shareholder, member, or director action |
| Form 540 purpose | Amends articles and restates them in a single consolidated document |
| Typical use | Single change to one or two articles |
| When to choose 540 | Multiple prior amendments make the record hard to read |
| Statutory basis | R.C. 1701.71 (532B); R.C. 1701.72 (540) |
| Fee | $50 each, standard |
FAQs
Can a single shareholder amend the articles using Form 532B?
Yes. A sole shareholder may sign a written consent and file Form 532B, because R.C. 1701.54 permits action by unanimous written consent without a meeting.
Do I have to attach the corporate resolution to Form 532B?
No. Ohio does not require the resolution to be filed with the certificate, but keep it in the corporate minute book because lenders and buyers will request it.
Is Form 532B used for LLC amendments?
No. Limited liability companies amend their articles of organization on Form 543A, not Form 532B, because LLCs are governed by Chapter 1706.
What do I write in Box 1 if my corporation uses a DBA?
No — never use the DBA. Write the exact legal corporate name as registered with the Secretary of State, because Box 1 requires the entity name on record.
Can the directors alone adopt a name-change amendment?
No. A name change requires shareholder approval under R.C. 1701.71, except in narrow stock-split scenarios spelled out in R.C. 1701.70(B).
Should Box 4 show the meeting date or the consent date?
Yes — use the date of the meeting where the vote occurred, or the date the last required signer signed the written consent.
Can I set an effective date six months in the future in Box 7?
No. R.C. 1701.04(C) caps the delayed effective date at 90 days after filing; anything longer triggers rejection.
Do I need to file Form 521 in addition to 532B if I am changing my address?
Yes — if the principal office address is changing, file the appropriate address-change form alongside Form 532B because each form updates a different field.
Is the filing fee refundable if my filing is rejected?
No. The $50 base fee is not refunded; you must correct and refile, and the refile is treated as a new filing.
Can I e-sign Form 532B in the online portal?
Yes. The Ohio Business Central portal accepts an electronic signature that meets Ohio’s Uniform Electronic Transactions Act standards.
Do I have to list every share class in Box 6 when I change just one?
Yes. Best practice is to restate the full authorized capital so the record is unambiguous, even when only one class is being amended.
Will the Secretary of State send me a certified copy automatically?
Yes. Once accepted, the portal emails the file-stamped PDF; mail filings receive a stamped paper copy back by return mail.
Can I file Form 532B by fax?
No. Fax filing is not available; submit through the online portal, by mail, or in person at 22 North Fourth Street, Columbus, OH.
What happens if I sign as “Owner” instead of “President”?
No — the filing is rejected for unverified signing authority, because R.C. 1701.73(C) limits signing to specific officers named in the statute.
Does Form 532B change my Ohio charter number?
No. The charter number assigned at incorporation never changes, regardless of how many amendments you file.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Pennsylvania Form DSCB:15-1306 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Ohio Form 530 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Ohio Form 532A (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Ohio Form 533A (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Ohio Form IT-4708 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Ohio Attorney Registration Form (w/Examples) + FAQs