Ohio requires gift certificates to remain valid for at least two years and restricts dormancy fees. The federal CARD Act provides the five-year floor.
Federal context
Under the federal Credit CARD Act of 2009 and its implementing Regulation E (12 CFR 1005.20), gift certificates and most general-use and store gift cards sold in the United States must remain valid for at least five years from the date of issuance or last load. Federal law also restricts dormancy, inactivity, and service fees: a fee can generally be charged only if the card has been inactive for at least 12 months, the fee is disclosed, and no more than one fee is charged per month. State laws may add stronger consumer protections on top of this federal floor.
For a deeper federal explainer, see our CARD Act overview.
Expiration rules in Ohio
Ohio Revised Code §1349.61 establishes a state minimum, but the federal CARD Act five-year floor effectively applies.
Dormancy and service fees in Ohio
Ohio law restricts service fees on gift cards during an initial period (typically the first two years), with federal CARD Act limits applying thereafter.
Cash redemption for small balances
No state-mandated requirement.
Disclosure requirements
Federal Regulation E disclosures apply.
Unclaimed property and escheatment
Ohio's unclaimed property statute may apply with single-merchant exemptions.
Enforcement and penalties
The Ohio Attorney General's Consumer Protection Section enforces state rules.
Recent updates
No material state-level changes in the last 24 months.
Last reviewed: May 24, 2026. Statutes change. Verify the current text of the cited statute before acting on this summary.
Ohio compliance checklist
A short operational checklist for selling gift certificates in Ohio. Adapt with counsel before publishing your final policy.
- Set expiration to no less than five years or eliminate expiration.
- Avoid service fees in the first two years.
- Disclose terms on the certificate.
- Maintain redemption records.
Frequently asked questions about Ohio gift card law
Can a Cleveland salon charge a maintenance fee one year after sale?
Generally no. Ohio restricts service fees in the first two years. Most salons avoid these fees entirely.
Related legal basics
- Do Gift Certificates Expire? — A practical overview of federal and state rules on gift certificate expiration, written in plain English.
- Can You Charge Fees on Gift Certificates? — Federal and state rules on inactivity, dormancy, and service fees for gift cards.