Questionnaire & Nomination Process

In Ohio, the first step is to complete a National Register Preliminary Questionnaire which is designed to help determine whether a property or district is likely to qualify for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

Please send your National Register Preliminary Questionnaire to our office electronically by using the applicable submission document below.

Download the Preliminary Questionnaire

Individual property submission in PDF format

Individual property submission in MS Word format

Historic District submission in PDF format

Historic District submission in MS Word format

Submit a Preliminary Questionnaire & Supporting Documentation Electronically 

After you have received instructions from SHPO staff to proceed with completing a nomination form, it is important to review the guidelines and instructions before you begin to work on the form.

This nomination flowchart shows the process of making a nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

National Register Nomination Form  (automatic download)
National Register Nomination Continuation Sheet (automatic download)
National Register Basic Instructions
National Register Historic District Property Sheet
Instructions for Historic District Nomination Property Information Form

Section Specific Hints

Helpful Outline for Organizing Section 7
Helpful Outline for Organizing Section 8
Commonly Missed Fields

NPS Guides to Preparing a Nomination

National Register Bulletins provide specific guidance on all aspects of completing nominations. Here are two of the most important links are listed below:​

National Register Bulletin 15
National Register Bulletin 16a
Sample Listed Nominations

Please send your National Register nomination or nomination revisions to your National Register reviewer per their instructions.

Submission Deadlines
The State Historic Preservation Office must notify various entities when a property is nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. The nomination submission deadlines allow for the proper time for this notification.

Important Final Steps to Complete the Submission

National Register Owner Notification Sheet
National Register Submission Checklist
National Register Substantive Checklist
Technical Checklist

Mapping/GIS

There are a number of online resources to aid in providing accurate location coordinates. The SHPO provides free access to its online mapping program which provides basic UTM collection and map creation tools; however, access to historic resource data is not available.

The National Park Service has created a webinar that is available through the link below with specific instructions and guidance about acceptable mapping options.

GIS Map Guidance
State Historic Preservation Office Free Online Mapping System
How to order a USGS Topographical Map from the Ohio Department of National Resources

​Taking and Submitting Photographs​

National Park Service Photo Submission Policy
Guidelines for Photographing and Describing a Building
Photos Identification List
Required Photo Views
Submitting Digital Photos - Important to Know​

Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board

The 17-member State Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board is appointed by the governor to advise the State Historic Preservation Officer and the Ohio History Connection Board of Trustees on historic preservation issues. ​

​The Advisory Board holds four meetings each year to recommend Ohio properties for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.​

​Board recommendations can include approval with no additional recommendations or changes, approval with additional recommendations, not approved or tabled. Expectations for the outcome of the board's decisions can be seen in the nomination flow chart.

Listing in the National Register of Historic Places

Following the advisory board meeting, the State Historic Preservation Office staff will work with nomination authors to make any necessary edits before it is transmitted to the National Park Service in Washington D.C. final approval. ​

​Upon receipt, the National Park Service will begin its 45-day review period. If the National Register of Historic Places staff approves the nomination, the property is officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places. ​

​SHPO is notified of weekly listings and then notifies, by letter, property owners and interested parties of the listing.

Search the State Historic Preservation Office National Register Database for Ohio listings. This database includes Ohio properties listed in the National Register as of September 30, 2021.