Start an Oregon LLC
Starting an Oregon LLC requires filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. But success requires more. And that’s exactly what you get with us:
- Safeguarding your privacy.
Our Portland business address on your filings—not your home address. - Instant internal documents.
Attorney-drafted operating agreement, banking resolutions and more. - Connect to clients fast.
Business website, domain, email, and phone number, free for 90 days. - Compliance peace of mind.
We file your annual reports. You stay in good standing. - Lifetime support.
Our team of local experts is just a call or email away.
Today, we can form your LLC. Tomorrow, we can set you up with mail forwarding or virtual office service. We’re with you as you grow.
This way, you can maintain your privacy from Day One.
Or, click the links here to learn more about each step of the process to forming an Oregon LLC!
Overall, you’ll need a business name, a registered agent, formation paperwork, an operating agreement, and some maintenance filings.
Our Oregon LLC Formation Package
Our Oregon LLC Formation Package is the best deal in the state. Although some of our competitors might claim to offer $0 business formation, they quickly hit you with add-ons and hidden fees—ultimately costing you hundreds each year for services like registered agent (which is included in our package) and an operating agreement (which you’ll get for FREE with us).
After using Oregon Registered Agent, LLC for several years with numerous LLC formations and dozens of filings I can strongly recommend them. They’ve saved me thousands and thousands of dollars in attorney fees without a single problem! — Magnus J., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Perks of Hiring Us
Business Website
As part of our formation service, you also get a 90-day FREE trial of our Oregon Business Presence: Website & Phone package. You’ll get a secure business website with a custom domain (ex: www.YourBusinessNameHere.org), business email, and a phone line with a local Oregon area code, accessible through your personal device using our free app (available in US app stores). Don’t worry if you’re never made a website before–our web team offers FREE website setup assistance.
Business Address
Working with us means that you get access to all the services you need help your business maintain a professional appearance and privacy while staying organized. This includes free use of our professional, permanent business address in Portland. We own our building, so the address will never change.
Business Support Services
Having our own building allows us to offer additional services that other registered agent companies can’t, like Mail Forwarding and Virtual Office. These services are ideal if you work from a home office or don’t have a set work location. We’ll also send reminders before your OR annual report is due and even file your report for you for $100 + state fees.
Our Oregon LLC Formation Service Includes:
| 1 year of Oregon Registered Agent Service | FREE Attorney-Drafted Operating Agreement |
| FREE use of our business address on formation documents | FREE Member Certificates, Initial Resolutions, & more |
| FREE 90-day trial of our website & phone services | UNLIMITED access to our library of business resources |
| Enrollment in Annual Report Compliance Service | Option to order additional services (DBA, trademark, etc.) from online account |
| A secure online account to receive important documents | Lifetime client & business support |
| Same-day mail scans | Your data is NEVER sold |
While many registered agents offer a low “introductory” rate that gets higher every year, our registered service is only $35 a year, no matter how long you’re our client.
How to Start an LLC in Oregon
The easiest (and most cost-effective way) to start an Oregon LLC is to hire us. You get everything (and we mean everything) to start, maintain, and grow your business for one low, affordable price. On top of our expert LLC formation service, you’ll get a full year of local registered agent service and several FREE services, including FREE attorney-drafted business documents and a 90-day FREE trial of our website and phone services.
But, if you’d rather complete the registration yourself, just follow our step-by-step guide below.
1. Name Your Oregon LLC
First things first—your LLC needs a name. When it comes to naming your company, here are a few things you’ll need to consider:
- The name of your LLC must include some variation of LLC or Limited Liability Company (for example, “L.L.C” or “Ltd. Company”)
- You cannot include words or abbreviations that suggest your LLC offers services you’re not legally allowed to provide. For example, if you own a jewelry shop, avoid using words such as “medical” or “at law” in your business name.
- Your business name must be unique, meaning the name of your LLC cannot be identical or too similar to another Oregon business.
You can conduct a business name search to see if the name you want is available. If it is, you can reserve the name for 120 days by filing an Application for Name Reservation ($100) with the Secretary of State.
2. Appoint an Oregon Registered Agent
Every LLC in Oregon must designate a registered agent. Your registered agent can be a person or business entity that accepts legal correspondence on behalf of your LLC (e.g., subpoenas or lawsuits). You can even be your own registered agent—if you don’t mind your personal information like your name and address on the public record.
Would you rather protect your privacy? Hire us to be your Oregon registered agent! We’ll list our address (instead of yours) on public forms whenever possible. Running a business should never mean sacrificing your personal information.
3. Submit Your LLC Articles of Organization
To legally form your Oregon LLC, you must complete and file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. The filing fee is $100.
Ready to begin the formation process? Use our FREE online tool to get started! You can file the Articles of Organization yourself OR make things simple and hire us! Need more time? Easily save your progress and come back when you’re ready.
Remember, the information on this form becomes part of the public record. Here’s what you’ll be asked to provide:
- Name of your LLC
- Duration. Most LLCs are perpetual. If you have a known closing date for your LLC, list it here.
- Principal office. This must be a physical address
- The name and Oregon street address of your registered agent
- Address where the Secretary of State can send notices
- Management structure
- Professional services. This includes services such as accounting, law, psychology, and other professional fields. You can find a full description under OR. Rev. Stat. § 58.015(5)(m).
- Optional provisions. You can list any provisions here and include a separate attachment. There are two optional provisions listed already with check boxes, one to make your LLC a benefit company and the other for indemnification. You can check either of those or leave blank if none of this applies to your LLC.
- Name and address of each person forming your LLC.
- Names and addresses of each member/manager (optional).
- Individual with direct knowledge. Here you list a member, manager, or other authorized representative who knows the business operation.
- Name, signature, and title of the person filing your articles.
- Contact name and phone number. This is for the state to reach out to resolve any issues with the filing.
The Articles of Organization can be submitted online, by mail, or in person.
Online:
Oregon Business Registry
Mail or in-person:
Secretary of State
Corporation Division
255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310-1327
4. Best Practices for LLC Business Operations
Now that you have your Oregon LLC formed with the state, there are a few more documents and federal filings you’ll need to get your business underway.
Write an Operating Agreement for your Oregon LLC
Legally, you are not required to have an operating agreement for your LLC. However, writing an operating agreement will allow you to open a business bank account, protect your limited liability, and establish specific rules for how the business should function.
When you hire us to form your Oregon LLC, we’ll provide a FREE attorney-drafted operating agreement that you can easily customize to suit your needs.
Get an EIN
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a unique number the IRS uses to identify your business for tax purposes.
Oregon state does not require LLCs to have an EIN. However, you will need one if you hire employees or open a business bank account. You can obtain an EIN for free through the IRS website.
Why Hire Us to Form Your LLC?
Our LLC formation package is jam-packed with value. For example, we include a year of registered agent service where other business formation companies offer registered agent as an expensive add-on.
We also provide the essential services your company will need as you evolve, such as mail forwarding so you can stay organized and business website & phone so you can communicate professionally and advertise online.
- Timely, accurate formation filing
- A year of Oregon registered agent service
- FREE use of our Oregon Business Address
- FREE trial of our Oregon Business Presence
- FREE attorney-drafted operating agreement
- Expert business support for the lifetime of your LLC
All this, for just $135 plus state fees. We promise you won’t find a more comprehensive and affordable deal.
5. How to Maintain Your LLC
Once you’ve formed your Oregon LLC, you need to know how to maintain your business—ensuring it’s compliant and successful.
Open a Business Bank Account
For most business owners, the whole point of forming an LLC is to take advantage of limited liability protection. A business bank account is crucial to maintaining that protection. Starting an LLC creates a distinct legal entity that’s completely separate from you (the business owner). But if you use your personal bank account for your business, you will likely mix your personal and business accounts, jeopardizing your liability protections.
Luckily, when you hire us to form your Oregon LLC, you’ll have everything needed to open a bank account: a copy of your Articles of Organization, an LLC operating agreement, and an EIN.
Launch Your Oregon Business Presence
In today’s marketplace, a website and online presence are essential for businesses to reach and engage with their audience, establish credibility, and remain competitive. Whether you offer services or products online or in person, most businesses need an online presence.
- Domain name (ex:MyBusinessNameHere.com)
- Customizable website + SSL Web Security to protect your customer’s information
- Up to 10 individual email addresses directly linked to your domain (ex: [email protected])
- Phone service with a local area code
The entire Oregon Business Presence package is free for the first three months. However, you will own your business domain free for one year, then pay only the registration fee to keep it (around $25 per year). Keep all the other monthly services in the package and receive a 20% monthly discount. Or, keep only the ones you want for just $9 a month. Easily manage all your services from your computer or phone through your account.
Obtain Oregon Business Licenses and Permits
Oregon doesn’t require a general business license at the state level. However, specific professions and business types require a license, certification, and/or permit. For example, tattoo artists must obtain a license from the Board of Electrologists and Body Art Practitioners and pay the $50 filing fee.
In addition, some cities and counties may require licenses to operate within their jurisdiction. For example, all businesses in Portland, Oregon, must obtain a license and pay an annual business license tax.
For more information, you can check out the Oregon Business License Directory.
File Oregon Annual Report
Oregon LLCs must file an annual report with the Secretary of State. This yearly report keeps the state up-to-date on your LLC, including current ownership and how to get in touch with the business.
Your annual report will be due on the anniversary day of filing your Articles of Organization. So if you formed your LLC on October 1st, 2023, your annual report and annual report fee will be due October 1st, 2024, and so on.
Oregon LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Oregon?
The filing fee for the Oregon Articles of Organization is $100.
How long does it take to form an Oregon LLC?
The processing time for the Articles of Organization will vary depending on how you file. Online submissions typically take 1-3 business days. Paper forms typically take a full week to process.
Can I register as a foreign LLC in Oregon?
Absolutely! For just $135 plus state fees, we’ll handle your filing and provide Oregon registered agent service. Check out our Foreign LLC page for more information.