Ohio Corporate Bylaws
Ohio corporate bylaws are called “regulations” in Ohio’s state statutes. (“Bylaws,” in Ohio, refer to the rules that govern a board’s internal structure, and are far less common.) These “regulations” (or, what other states call “bylaws”) are the rules that govern your corporation’s operations and create an organizational structure for your company. Also known as a “code of regulations,” these rules outline policies for appointing directors and officers, holding shareholder and board meetings, and handling conflicts of interest, among other issues.
Whether you call them “regulations” or “bylaws,” these rules are some of the most important internal documents you have, which is why we at Northwest offer a free, attorney-drafted template you can use to create internal regulations to suit your business.
FAQs
Are bylaws filed with the state of Ohio?
No. Your corporate bylaws are internal documents, which means they should be kept on file with your business records.
Do bylaws need to be signed?
Ohio statutes do not explicitly state that bylaws need to be signed. However, including the names and signatures of all board members and officers adds to your corporation’s legitimacy, and helps to ensure that your bylaws will hold up in court.
How do I amend my bylaws in Ohio?
Ohio’s General Corporation Law provides some rules for amending bylaws and regulations, but for the most part, corporations establish the procedures for amending bylaws and regulations in their articles and in the bylaws and/or regulations themselves.