The influence of different counterions (F-, Cl-, Br-, I-) on the electric surface properties ("permanent" dipole moment and electric polarizability) of beta-FeOOH ellipsoid particles in dilute aqueous dispersions is studied by electric light scattering method and electrophoresis. An additional longitudinal permanent dipole moment appears with the increase of ionic strength for all added counterions, but is most pronounced in the case of I- ions. The additional orientation moment is most likely due to the distortion of the counterions distribution close to the particle surface.