According to Ohio law, when does a gas or oil lease or license have validity?

In Ohio, a gas or oil lease or license gains legal validity upon being filed for record. This recording is essential because it provides public notice of the lease or license, thereby protecting the rights of all involved parties and allowing third parties to be aware of its existence. Recording establishes priority over subsequent claims or interests, which is particularly important in the exploration and production of oil and gas resources.

While having the lease signed by all parties, paying the lease amount, or assessing a tax can play significant roles in the overall transaction, they do not confer the same level of legal recognition that filing for record does. The act of recording ensures that the lease is enforceable and binding in the eyes of the law, serving as a critical step in the formalization of the agreement in Ohio's legal framework.