Register an Oregon LLC
To register an Oregon LLC, all you’ll need to do is appoint an Oregon registered agent, file your Articles of Organization with the Oregon Secretary of State Corporation Division, and pay the $100 required processing fee. You can use our free guide below to complete your Oregon LLC registration on your own and file online (the fastest way), by mail, or in person.
Looking for somebody who can register your business for you? Our agents in Salem are experienced locals with expert knowledge of Oregon business regulations. No one else can offer a better LLC package for a more affordable price.
How to Start an LLC in Oregon
The bare bones answer is that you can start an LLC in Oregon online today by designating a registered agent, filing your Articles of Organization with the Oregon Secretary of State, and paying the $100 state filing fee.
This is a public filing, though. It’s what will be associated with your business on the public record for anyone to see. With that in mind, there are some common pitfalls to watch out for as you choose a registered agent and fill out your articles. We go over key points below so that you can start your LLC the right way.
Name Your Oregon LLC
First things first—your LLC needs to have an official business name. When it comes to naming your company, here’s what you really need to know when it comes to choosing an LLC name in Oregon:
- Your LLC name must include some variation of LLC or Limited Liability Company at the end of the name (for example, “L.L.C.” or “Ltd. Company”)
- You cannot include words or abbreviations that suggest a different type of business entity (for instance, using “Inc.” in the name)
- You must choose a name that no other business entity registered in state of Oregon is currently using (you can perform an Oregon LLC name search for your LLC name)
You can review OR. Rev. Stat. § 63.04.9 for the specifics, but basically, you need an original Oregon business name that ends with an LLC “identifier.”
Got a business name already? You can reserve a name for 120 days by filing an Application for Name Reservation with the Secretary of State. You can file your registration online through the Oregon Central Business Registry.
Designate a Registered Agent
Every LLC in Oregon must designate a registered agent for the company. Your registered agent can be a person or business entity that accepts your 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.
To qualify, you’d need to meet the following criteria:
- The registered agent (also known as “agent for service of process”) agrees to accept service of process on your LLC’s behalf
- The person or entity must have a physical street address in Oregon
- The agent must be available at this address to accept service of process during regular business hours
If you want to save the money on a registered agent, you will have to maintain regular business hours at the address you’ve listed on your Articles of Organization and be available to accept service of process. And yes, you will need to list your personal information on your Articles, a public document. If that’s OK, you can proceed to filing instructions below and some key things you should do to maintain good compliance and get the most out of your LLC!
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Submit Your LLC Articles of Organization
To officially register your LLC, you’ll need to fill out and submit Articles of Organization to the Oregon Secretary of State. You can file online, by mail, or in person. The filing fee is $100.
Remember, the information you list on this form becomes part of the public record. Here’s what you’ll be asked to provide:
- Name of the LLC. Your unique company name ending with “Limited Liability Company” or the abbreviations “LLC” or “L.L.C.”
- Duration. Most LLCs are perpetual. If you have a known dissolution date for your LLC, list it here.
- Principal office.
- Registered agent. Whoever accepts legal service for the company.
- Registered office. This must be an Oregon street address.
- Mailing Address. The Secretary of State will mail notices to the LLC at this address.
- Management structure. Your LLC can be member-managed (managed by the “members” or owners of the company) or manager-managed (managers are hired or appointed to run your LLC).
- Professional services. Will your company be providing professional services? This includes vocations such as accountants, attorneys, psychologists, and several other fields that you can find a full list off 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 just move along if none of this applies to your LLC.
- Organizer. Name and address of each LLC organizer.
- Member and manager names and addresses. These two are optional. Your LLC members are the owners of the company. Your LLC managers are those appointed or hired to run your LLC (if any).
- Individual with direct knowledge. Here you list a member, manager, or other authorized representative who knows the business operation.
- Contact name and phone number. This is for the state to reach out to resolve any issues with the filing.
It can be a bit tedious, but it takes only a few simple steps to complete and submit your articles with the Secretary of State. Once approved, you get to enjoy the benefits of having an LLC: personal asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a simple management structure, to name the key perks.
How do I file my Oregon Articles of Organization?
You can submit your articles online, by mail, or in person . You can submit online at the Oregon Business Registry. The cool thing about online submission is that the LLC registration process is usually done in about 3 business days. If you would prefer to submit your articles by mail or in person, you can access a print form of Articles of Organization from the Secretary of State website. Just complete the form and deliver it to the address below with your $100 filing fee (check or money order payable to “Corporation Division”):
Secretary of State – Corporation Division
255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310-1327
Why Hire Us to Form Your LLC?
If you hire an LLC formation service to set up your LLC, they’ll take care of this filing for you. If you hire the right Oregon LLC formation service, you’ll also get everything you need to start your LLC the right way from day one, including a permanent business address to list on your public filings instead of your address.
That’s exactly what we do. As a local Oregon company, we’re just able to provide way more value at a much more affordable cost. Our clients have access to a secure online account with all the LLC business documents you might need over the years, all pre-drafted by our local experts. That’s something that can cost you a boatload of money if you have to go to an attorney every time you need to file an amendment or for a trademark. And it’s through that account that you’ll be able to monitor your business and receive compliance notifications to help you maintain compliance with the state.
Hire Us to Form Your LLC Today
How to Maintain Your LLC
You’ve created your LLC in Oregon, but now it’s important to maintain your LLC. Below are some key things to do to make sure your company remains compliant and is set up for success.
Write an Oregon LLC Operating Agreement
An LLC operating agreement sets out how your business will operate. It’s a more detailed and granular breakdown of everything from each member’s investment, voting procedures, how to deal with any potential disputes, and how to go about dissolving the business. While your LLC is not required to file an operating agreement with Oregon, it’s the backbone of your company’s decision-making processes. You want this internal document to be well-thought out and in writing.
This is one of those key business documents our clients have access to through their online accounts. Our attorney-drafted operating agreements are included when you hire us to register your Oregon business. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a lawyer every time you need a professional business document drafted. You can order our LLC formation package and have every base covered in one convenient place.
Get an EIN
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a unique number the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) uses to identify your business on tax filings. You will need to apply for an EIN from the IRS directly. It’s free of charge and you can apply through the IRS online EIN application.
Technically, you may not need an EIN, but only if your LLC doesn’t hire employees and isn’t engaged in business (holding companies are really the only exception). Otherwise, an EIN is essentially a business’ social security number, and will be required to pay taxes and hire employees.You might also find it difficult to pin down a bank that will allow you to open a business bank account without an EIN.
Open a Business Bank Account
The whole point of an LLC for most business owners is the “limited liability” part, and a business bank account is crucial to helping limit your liability. See, starting an LLC creates a distinct legal entity for your business. But if you end up using your personal bank account for your business, you end up mixing your personal and business in a way that will very likely jeopardize your liability protections.
Luckily, if you follow everything in our guide above, you’ll have all that you need to open your bank account: a copy of your Articles of Organization, your LLC’s operating agreement, your LLC’s EIN, and your resolution to open a bank account. And yes, our clients have access to that professionally drafted resolution to open a bank account, too.
File Your Beneficial Ownership Information Report
You have 30 days after formation* to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report for your Oregon limited liability company. Filing is free and must be done online with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). It requires your company’s legal name (plus any DBA names), address and jurisdiction of formation, and tax ID number. You’ll also have to provide the full legal name, date of birth, residential address, and photo ID for each of your company’s beneficial owners and company applicants.
*Companies formed in 2024 have 90 days, and those formed before January 1, 2024 have until 2025 to file their BOI report.
What are beneficial owners and company applicants for my Oregon LLC?
A beneficial owner can be a member or manager, or someone who holds at least 25% of your stock shares. Basically, a beneficial owner is someone who holds substantial influence over your LLC. A company applicant is the person who filed your LLC’s formation documents in Oregon. If the person who directed the formation of your LLC is different from the person who filed your formation documents, this person also must be listed as a company applicant.
Do I have to file a BOI report for my Oregon LLC?
This is a mandatory filing, so chances are yes. There are some exceptions, however the types of LLCs that are exempt from filing a BOI report already operate in highly regulated industries, like government and banking. If this sounds like a headache, you can hire us to form your BOI report for you for just $9.
Obtain Oregon Business Licenses and Permits
There isn’t a universal standard for business licenses and permits in Oregon. But there are plenty of business activities that requires special permits, licenses, or certifications. It’s important for you to look into the rules and regulations for your type of business and your LLC’s local ordinances.You can check via the Oregon License Directory.File Your Beneficial Ownership Information Report
This is a new federal filing that requires virtually every limited liability company in the US to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) within 30 days of formation. The filing is free and the report is not part of the public record.
For LLCs formed before 2024, the deadline to file the BOI is December 31, 2024, and company applicant information is not required.
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.
Our Oregon LLC Registration Package
Our Oregon LLC Registration Package is the best deal in the state. Many Oregon incorporation services hide what they charge instead of showing exactly what you get for your money. Then, they hit you with add-ons that should have been included as part of registering your LLC in Oregon properly.
That’s not how we roll at Oregon Registered Agent LLC. We’ll never surprise you with hidden fees, and our registration process includes everything you need at a transparent, affordable price rather than trying to nickle-and-dime you over the years.
Here’s Where Your Money Goes:
| Service | Fee |
| Oregon State Filing Fee | $100 |
| Our LLC Formation Service Fee | $100 |
| One Year Registered Agent Service | $35 |
| Total | $235 |
Our competitors can’t beat everything Oregon Registered Agent LLC offers:
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After that first year, you can retain us as your registered agent for only $35 a year. That’s it. Everything you need. And if you do want more, we have a host of business services available to you through your client account, including DBA registration and expert guidance on state and federal filings.
Oregon LLC FAQs
How long does it take to open an LLC in Oregon?
You can complete and submit your articles of organization entirely online, pay the state filing fee, and have your LLC formed in as little as 2-3 business days. If you opt to do things by mail or in person, it may take up to 8 weeks.
How much does it cost to set up an LLC in Oregon?
The cost to start an LLC in Oregon is $100. This is the state filing fee charged by the Oregon Secretary of State for reviewing and filing your Articles of Organization.
Where do I register for an LLC in Oregon?
You can register online at the Oregon Business Registry. You can also submit by mail or in person. Just make the check payable to “Corporation Division” and deliver your payment and articles to:
Secretary of State – Corporation Division
255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310-1327