An Oregon LLC is one of the most simple, cost-effective, and quick business structures to form. Even so, navigating the formation process can seem daunting without clear guidance and an actionable plan.
In this How to Start an LLC in Oregon guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to form your LLC, from the steps you’ll need to take to get started to maintaining your structure.
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In order to form an LLC in Oregon, you’ll need to complete the following steps:
In the sections below, we’ve broken down each of these steps in more detail.
The first thing you’ll need to do before getting started is picking the right name for your LLC. This is important because your business’s name will need to represent your brand accurately, as well as be as memorable as possible.
In Oregon, all LLC names need to abide by the following statutory guidelines in order to be accepted by the Secretary of State:
Even if a name is available, it might still infringe on trademarks and/or existing business rights, particularly if it is phonetically similar to a known brand.
This is why — in addition to verifying your prospective name’s availability with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Business Name Search tool — you should also conduct a thorough trademark search.
Keep in mind that even though picking an LLC name in itself has no cost, there are certain fees that can be associated with the overall process.
If you’re not yet ready to launch your business and still need a little more time, you can choose to reserve your desired LLC name for later by submitting an Application for Name Reservation with the Secretary of State Corporation Division ($100 fee). This will keep anyone from being able to take the name you plan to use for 120 days.
If you need any longer than this, you’ll have to submit a renewal for an additional 120 days once the initial period ends.
Another potential cost associated with naming your LLC is a “doing business as” (or DBA) name — known as an assumed business name in Oregon.
This is essentially a nickname that you can choose to register for your business to operate under.
Registering a DBA name can be done by filing an Assumed Business Name New Registration with the Secretary of State and paying a $50 fee.
Note: DBA names in Oregon remain valid for a period of two years.
Finally, you’ll want to focus on securing a good domain name (which is your website’s URL address) for your business. For this, try to focus on choosing one that’s easy for customers to remember, relevant to your business, and accurately reflects your brand.
After confirming the domain name you want to use is actually available, you can purchase it through a trusted registrar.
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The next step you’ll need to take toward forming your LLC is to pick a registered agent.
This is an individual or business entity that accepts legal correspondence on behalf of your business, such as service of process, notice of lawsuits, and official government communications; you’re required to continuously maintain one as long as your LLC is active.
Your registered agent can be an individual or business entity, but will need to satisfy the following requirements:
Keep in mind that you can choose to act as your registered agent (e.g., if you’re looking to save money, etc.).
Having said that, this is generally not recommended for several reasons, including the fact that your personal name, address, and contact information will become publicly available.
A registered agent service is also relatively inexpensive, and can give business owners a certain “peace of mind” when it comes to ensuring that someone will always be physically present during regular business hours in order to receive service of process (if need be).
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Note: To have a look at some of our other top recommendations, you can also check out our Best Registered Agent Service of 2024 guide.
In Oregon, the Articles of Organization is the filing document that you’ll need to submit with the Secretary of State in order to officially register your LLC.
Completing this document requires specific information, including:
You can file your LLC’s Articles of Organization either online through the Oregon Secretary of State’s business portal or by downloading this form and mailing it to the following address:
Secretary of State
Corporation Division
255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151
Salem OR 97310-1327
Regardless of your submission method, you will need to pay a $100 processing fee.
Note: If you are registering a foreign LLC, you will need to fill out and submit an Application for Authority to Transact Business form and pay a $275 filing fee instead.
Once this is completed, the next step you’ll need to take is to create an operating agreement.
This is an internal document that clearly outlines the ownership and management structure of your company in order to reduce potential future conflict.
While this document isn’t legally mandated in Oregon, all LLCs are recommended to have one as it can help maintain both: smooth operations and your LLC’s corporate veil.
A number of companies provide drafting services for operating agreements online, typically for a fee of around a few hundred dollars. However, it’s quite easy to sort this out by yourself if you want to save money, and you can even find a number of free templates online to help with this.
Even though it’s not a legal requirement (unless your LLC has employees or multiple members), all Oregon LLCs should apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
This is a free, nine-digit number used by the IRS to identify your business and keep track of its tax reporting — much like a Social Security Number (SSN) for individuals.
You’ll need an EIN to be able to:
On top of this, using an EIN instead of a Social Security Number (SSN) helps to protect your personal information and safeguard your anonymity as the business owner of your LLC.
You can quickly apply for an EIN for your LLC online through the IRS website. You’re also able to submit a paper application using Form SS-4 either via fax to (855) 641-6935, or by mailing it to the following address:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
Note: Don’t worry if you don’t already have an SSN, it’s not necessary to have one in order to apply for an EIN — instead, you can just leave Section 7b of the application blank and call the IRS on (267) 941-1099.
Starting January 2024, the vast majority of LLC owners will be required to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report with the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
This is part of an initiative by the U.S. government to stop individuals and entities engaging in illegal or unethical activities from being able to conceal this using “opaque ownership structures”, like shell companies, to hide their true identities.
Existing LLCs will be able to file this report anytime between January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, while new LLCs will have up to 90 days after the date they were initially formed to do so (30 days for LLCs formed after the start of 2025).
Keep in mind that failure to file your LLC’s BOI report on time can result in exorbitantly high fines (i.e., $591 per day) or even jail time (up to two years).
Note: Not every LLC owner is required to file a BOI report. For example, companies with more than 20 full-time employees, accounting firms, and banks are exempt. For a full list of filing exemptions, you can have a look at FinCEN’s website.
In order to keep operating legally in the state of Oregon, you’ll need to file an annual report with the Secretary of State.
Don’t worry if you’re not sure how to complete this step, as we’ve detailed all the information you’ll need to know in the sections below.
You will need to file an Annual Report with the Secretary of State’s Corporation Division in order to maintain your Oregon LLC’s good standing with the state.
This report includes information such as your LLC’s name, registered agent’s details, and member information, and can be submitted online via the Oregon Business Registry portal.
You will need to pay a $100 processing fee when submitting your LLC’s annual report.
Note: It should be noted that the annual report is due every year before the anniversary of your LLC’s initial registration date (i.e., if you registered your LLC on February 29, you’ll have to submit your form every consequent year by this date.).
Oregon distinguishes itself as a favorable location for business due to its streamlined regulatory environment and lack of state sales tax, which can lower operating costs in comparison to several other states.
Moreover, the state’s formation and maintenance costs are on par with national averages, making it a financially viable option for many entrepreneurs.
Regardless, keep in mind that the best state to form your LLC is almost always the state that you will be operating in; this is because otherwise you’ll likely be required to register as a foreign LLC in your home state, meaning that you’ll need to pay registration and maintenance fees twice.
Recommended: More than 84% of our readers form their LLC through a specialized LLC formation service in order to save time and avoid being caught up in procedural rigmarole.
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Mailing Address:
Corporations Division
Public Service Building
255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151
Salem OR 97310
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Contact Information:
Email: corporation.division@oregon.gov
Phone: (503) 986-2200
To start an LLC in Oregon, you’ll need to choose a unique name, appoint a registered agent with a physical Oregon address, and submit your LLC’s Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State.
For more information on this topic, you can check out our guide on How to Start an LLC in Oregon.
In Oregon, the approval time for an LLC varies depending on the submission method used.
Online applications submitted through the Oregon Secretary of State’s business portal are usually approved within the same — or the next — business day.
On the other hand, applications submitted via mail typically require up to 10 business days in order to be processed.
Starting an LLC in Oregon requires a minimum of $100 to be paid, which covers the processing fee for your LLC’s Articles of Organization.
Having said that, keep in mind that your total cost could be higher — especially if you choose to hire a registered agent service or an LLC formation service.
For a more detailed breakdown, you can have a look at our Oregon LLC Cost guide.
While not legally required in Oregon, creating an operating agreement is highly recommended.
This is because it can help clarify the operational structure and management roles within your LLC, averting potential misunderstandings in the future.
For more information on LLC formation, you can have a look at our state specific How To Start An LLC article.
Forming an LLC in Oregon provides a legal structure that separates your personal liabilities from your business assets.
Having said that, you can choose to purchase business insurance in order to also protect the assets of your LLC (e.g., as a result of negligence, etc).
Information on this page was researched and gathered from a multitude of sources and was most recently updated on September 5, 2024
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