Last Updated: February 17, 2024, 3:57 pm by TRUiC Team


How to Start an LLC in Oregon (2024 Guide)

Wondering how to start an LLC in Oregon? We’ve got you covered.

To get started, you'll need to pick a suitable business name, choose a registered agent, and file your Articles of Organization with the Oregon Secretary of State ($100 processing fee). 

You can do this independently, consult with a business attorney for specialized legal guidance, or join the other 65% of our readers and hire a specialized Oregon LLC formation service (recommended).

four point eight out of five Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

three point nine out of five LegalZoom ($249 + State Fees)

Cost to Start an LLC in Oregon

How to Form an LLC in Oregon in 6 Steps

In order to form your LLC in Oregon, you’ll need to complete the following steps:

  1. Name Your Oregon LLC
  2. Choose a Registered Agent
  3. File the Articles of Organization
  4. Create an Operating Agreement
  5. Get an EIN
  6. File a Beneficial Ownership Information Report

Step 1: Name Your Oregon LLC

Before you get started, you will need to pick a suitable name for your Oregon LLC. 

This will need to comply with all applicable naming requirements under Oregon law and be both succinct and memorable, as this will make it easily searchable by your potential clients.

1. Important Naming Guidelines for Oregon LLCs:

  • Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company,” “limited company,” or a suitable abbreviation (e.g., LLC, LC, etc.).  
  • Your name must be distinguishable (i.e., visually distinct) from the names of all other business entities registered with the Oregon Secretary of State.
  • Your name cannot include words that in any way imply that your LLC is an agency of the state (or a political subdivision) without written approval. 
  • Your name cannot include words that are associated with other business entities (e.g., Incorporated, Corporation, etc.). 

We recommend checking out the Oregon Secretary of State's guidelines for a complete list of naming rules in this state.

2. Is the name available in Oregon?

To check whether your desired name has already been taken by another business entity in Oregon, you can perform a name search on the Corporation Division’s Business Registry Database.

If you’re not going to start your LLC right away, it might be a good idea to consider reserving your name for up to 120 days. You can do this by filing an Application for Name Reservation form and paying the $100 filing fee. 

For more information, you can have a look at our Oregon LLC Name Search guide.

3. Is the URL available?

You should check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don’t plan to make a business website right away, this is an extremely important step as it will prevent others from acquiring it, potentially saving you both time and money in the long term. 

Find a Domain Now

Once you have verified your name is available, you may now select a professional service to complete the LLC formation process for you.

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If you need additional information before getting started, you can have a look at our in-depth comparison of the Best LLC Services in 2024 instead.

FAQ: Naming an Oregon LLC

LLC is short for “limited liability company.” It is a simple business structure that offers more flexibility than a traditional corporation while still providing legal protection for your personal assets. Read our What is a Limited Liability Company guide for more information.

Or, watch our two-minute video: What is an LLC?

You must follow the Oregon LLC naming guidelines when choosing a name for your LLC:

  • Include the phrase "limited liability company" or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.).
  • Do not use words that could confuse your business with a government agency (FBI, State Department, CIA, etc.).
  • Receive the proper licensing when using the words such as lawyer or doctor.

If you are having trouble coming up with a name for your LLC, use our LLC Name Generator. That will not only find a unique name for your business but an available URL to match.

Most LLCs do not need a DBA, known as an assumed business name in Oregon. The name of the LLC can serve as your company’s brand name and you can accept checks and other payments under that name as well. However, you may wish to register a DBA if you would like to conduct business under another name.

To learn more about DBAs in your state, read our How to File a DBA guide.

Step 2: Choose a Registered Agent in Oregon

After you find the right name for your LLC, you will need to nominate an Oregon registered agent. This is a necessary step in your Articles of Organization, which is the document used to register your LLC with the Oregon Corporation Division.

What is a registered agent? A registered agent is an individual or business entity responsible for receiving important legal documents on behalf of your business. You can think of your registered agent as your business’s primary point of contact with the state.

Who can be a registered agent? An Oregon registered agent must be a resident of the state, or a corporation that is authorized to transact business here. This can include an LLC member (e.g., yourself, etc.), a business attorney, or a registered agent service (recommended). 

Get Free Registered Agent Services

Form an LLC with Northwest Registered Agent to get one year of registered agent services free of charge.

FAQ: Nominating a Registered Agent

Yes, you can be your own registered agent as long as you are a resident of Oregon. Having said that, keep in mind that your LLC’s registered agent’s address will become publicly available, so this is generally not recommended for privacy reasons. 

Read more about being your own registered agent.

This will depend on your business’s specificities. In most cases, a registered agent service is worth it because it’s a relatively affordable way of ensuring that you do not miss any important legal notification from the Secretary of State; it can also be a great way of protecting your personal address. 

Step 3: File Your Oregon LLC Articles of Organization

To register your Oregon LLC, you will need to file the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. You can do this online or via mail. 

Oregon LLC Formation Document

Before filing, make sure you have completed your Articles of Organization correctly. You will need to have filled in the following sections:

  • Your LLC’s name 
  • The duration of your LLC (you can choose a perpetual duration)
  • Your principal office address (this must be a physical street address; a P.O. box is not acceptable)
  • Your registered agent’s name and publicly available address
  • Your LLC’s management structure (this can be member-managed or manager-managed)
  • The professional service(s) your LLC will be offering (if applicable)
  • The legal names and addresses of each organizer, as well as of each LLC member 
  • Your LLC’s “Authorized Representative” (i.e., any individual with direct knowledge of the operations and business activities of the LLC e.g., a member or manager)

File the Articles of Organization

OPTION 1: File Online With the State of Oregon

File Online

- OR -

OPTION 2: File by Mail

Download Form

State Filing Cost: $100, payable to the "Corporate Division" (Nonrefundable)

Mailing Address:
Secretary of State, Corporation Division
255 Capitol St. NE
Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310

For help with completing the form, visit our Oregon Articles of Organization guide.

Note: If you're expanding your existing business to the state of Oregon, you'll need to register as a foreign limited liability company (LLC).

FAQ: Filing Oregon LLC Documents

This will depend on how you go about filing. Online filings have an estimated processing time of one business day, according to the Oregon Secretary of State. 

In-person deliveries are processed on the same day for all documents that arrive before 4:00 p.m. Mail filings, on the other hand, take significantly longer, with the average processing time being between seven and 10 business days. 

An LLC is referred to as a "domestic LLC" when it conducts business in the state where it was formed. A foreign LLC must be formed when an existing LLC wishes to expand its business to another state.

Read our What Is a Foreign LLC article to learn more.

The total cost of starting your LLC will depend on several factors (e.g., whether you form the LLC yourself, use a business attorney, etc.). 

Having said that, filing your formation documents with the Secretary of State will cost you $100, so you should expect to pay at least that much. 

To learn more, read our guide on the cost to form an Oregon LLC.

Step 4: Create an Oregon LLC Operating Agreement

An operating agreement is not required in Oregon, but it's a good practice to have one.

What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all LLC owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

For more information on operating agreements, read our Oregon LLC operating agreement guide.

FAQ: Creating an Oregon LLC Operating Agreement

No. The operating agreement is an internal document that you should keep on file for future reference. However, many other states do legally require LLCs to have an operating agreement in place.

Step 5: Get an Oregon LLC EIN

You can get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS for free. It is used to identify a business entity and keep track of a business’s tax reporting. It is essentially a Social Security number (SSN) for the company.

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN number is required for the following:

  • To open a business bank account for the company
  • For federal and state tax purposes
  • To hire employees for the company

Where do I get an EIN? An EIN is obtained from the IRS (free of charge) by the business owner after forming the company. This can be done online or by mail.

FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS: You do not need an SSN to get an EIN. Learn more here.

Get an EIN

Option 1: Request an EIN from the IRS

Apply Online

- OR -

Option 2: Apply for an EIN by Mail or Fax

Download Form

Mail to:
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999

Fax: (855) 641-6935

Fee: Free

FAQ: Getting an EIN

An SSN is not required to get an EIN. You can simply fill out IRS Form SS-4 and leave section 7b blank. Then call the IRS at (267) 941-1099 to complete your application. Learn more here about applying as an international applicant.

All LLCs with employees, or any LLC with more than one member, must have an EIN. This is required by the IRS.

Learn why we recommend always getting an EIN and how to get one for free in our Do I Need an EIN for an LLC guide.

When you get an EIN, you will be informed of the different tax classification options that are available. Most LLCs elect the default tax status.

However, some LLCs can reduce their federal tax obligation by choosing the S corporation (S corp) status. To learn more, read our LLC vs. S Corp guide.

Step 6: File a Beneficial Ownership Information Report

Beginning January 2024, LLC owners will need to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report with the US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Existing LLCs can file their report any time between January 1, 2024, and January 1, 2025, while new LLCs will need to file their report within 90 days of formation

This contains similar information to that of your Articles of Organization, such as your LLC name and member information, and can be filed online for free. Failure to file an accurate report on time can result in a $500 per day fine.

Note: There are certain filing exemptions, such as for large companies (i.e., more than 20 full-time employees), tax-exempt entities, and publicly traded companies. 

Considering Using an LLC Formation Service?

We reviewed and ranked the top LLC formation services. Find out which is best for you.

BEST LLC SERVICES

How to Maintain Your LLC

After you’ve successfully formed your LLC, there are a couple of steps you’ll need to periodically take in order to maintain it, including:

  • Filing your annual report
  • Sorting out your taxes

We’ve broken down how to complete each of these steps in greater detail below.

File the Annual Report

Your Oregon LLC will be required to file an annual report with the Secretary of State’s Corporation Division in order to maintain its good standing with the state. 

This is meant to ensure that the following information remains up to date:

  • The name of your LLC
  • The name and address of your LLC’s registered agent
  • The names and address of all LLC members
  • Whether your LLC is still active 
  • Whether your LLC has a managing-member
  • Whether your LLC has any foreign filings

The cost of filing this is $100, which can be done online through the Oregon Business Registry portal. 

Note: Your annual report will be due every year before your LLC’s anniversary date (i.e., the date when you initially registered your LLC with the state).

Sort Out Your Taxes

Regardless of where your LLC is registered, you will be required to pay certain federal taxes. This includes corporation and employer taxes (for LLCs filing as a C corporation) and federal income tax and self-employment taxes (for LLCs taxed as pass-through entities).

In addition, there are a number of different taxes you’ll be required to pay at a local and state level, which can vary depending on the nature of your business.

Below are some of the most common taxes in Oregon:

Income Taxes

As is the case in many other states, your LLC will be liable to pay income tax at a state level in addition to its federal income tax obligations. The main types of state income tax you may need to pay in Oregon are:

  • Personal Income Tax: The members of an LLC with a default tax election are subject to a graduated personal tax at a rate that varies between 4.75% to 9.90% on their distribution of the company’s gross revenue. Personal income tax returns can be submitted using Form OR-40.
  • Corporate/Excise Income Tax: Oregon imposes a minimum corporate tax, which affects LLCs that elect to be taxed as C corps. According to the Department of Revenue, corporation income filers are subject to the calculated tax (i.e., 6.6% up to $1,000,000 in annual revenue) but not the minimum tax (flat fee of $150 under $500,000). Excise tax filers are subject to whichever is greater. 
  • Pass-Through Entity Elective (PTE-E) Tax: LLCs can elect to pay PTE-E Tax on the sum of each of the member's share of distributive proceeds using the Oregon Revenue Online platform. After making this election, you’ll need to file Form OR-21-V with the Department of Revenue by March 15th of the tax year.

The Oregon Department of Revenue recommends businesses file their income tax returns electronically through Revenue Online. If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to create a Revenue Online account and then file the relevant form through the website by April 15 each year.

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Steps After LLC Formation

After forming your LLC, you will need to get a business bank account and website, sort out any required business licenses, and get business insurance, among other things. 

Visit our After Forming an LLC guide to learn more.

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