Ohio Rev. Code § 3909.12: Renewal certificates of authority.

If the annual statement required by section 3909.10 of the Revised Code is satisfactory evidence to the superintendent of insurance of the solvency and ability of the company, partnership, or association to meet all its engagements at maturity, he shall issue renewal certficates of authority to the agents thereof, certified copies of which must be filed-by said agents in the county recorder's office of the county where the agency is located and retained therewith for a minimum of two years from the date of filing. Such renewal certificates shall be the authority of the agents to issue new policies in this state for the ensuing year.