Oregon Registered Agent
LLCs and corporations in Oregon are required to appoint an Oregon registered agent to receive service of process.
Even though you can be your own registered against, many small businesses choose to hire a third-party service. This is because it's relatively affordable and can go a long way in:
- Reducing risk
- Increasing privacy and flexibility
- Ensuring your documents are stored safely online
We’ll help you make the best choice for your business.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent offers free registered agent services with LLC or corporation formation ($29 plus state fees).
Choosing a Registered Agent in Oregon
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An Oregon registered agent will serve as your business’s primary point of contact. This is both with the Secretary of State and with any entity that might wish to file a lawsuit against you (i.e., deliver service of process).
In Oregon, appointing a registered agent is a legal requirement for LLCs and corporations. This can be a registered agent service, yourself, or another individual, so long as:
- They are at least 18 years old.
- They have a physical street address in the state of Oregon.
- They are always available during normal business hours at their specified address.
Oregon Registered Agent Services
- Convenience: Hiring a third-party service will ensure that you will not have to worry about being physically present at your registered office address during regular business hours.
- Privacy: Oregon registered agents’ names and addresses become publicly available. If you want to protect your privacy, you may want to consider using a third-party service instead.
- Compliance and Online Storage: Most third-party services scan your legal documents and upload them online in PDF form. This allows you to operate in a more time-efficient manner.
Let’s Find the Right Registered Agent for Your Business
We’ve tested and reviewed the most popular registered agent services.
Can You Be Your Own Registered Agent?
Yes, you can, although this is generally not recommended unless you are operating on a very strict budget.
This is because being your own agent is quite a time-inefficient approach, and it will not save you a significant amount of money (e.g., you can get a third-party service for as little as $10 per month.).
If you are planning to form a new LLC, it will make sense to use an LLC formation service that includes a free year of registered agent services. These types of services can charge as little as $29 per formation (excluding state fees).
If you are forming an LLC but prefer to file the paperwork yourself and act as your own registered agent, take a look at our How to Start an LLC in Oregon guide.
Best Oregon Registered Agent Service
If you're in Oregon and either looking to form a new LLC or switch your existing registered agent, it's crucial to consider factors like cost, range of services, reputation, and customer support.
Many people seek registered agents offering features like mail forwarding, document scanning, and compliance monitoring.
Northwest Special Offer
If you haven't formed your LLC yet, consider Northwest's LLC formation package for $29 plus state fees, which includes a free first year of registered agent service.
- Premium customer service
- Streamlined ordering
- Robust privacy features
To help you make an informed choice, we've compiled a table comparing the top 5 Oregon registered agent services below.
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Best Registered Agent Services |
|
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Northwest
4.7/5 |
BEST REGISTERED AGENT SERVICE
|
VISIT SITE |
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LegalZoom
4.5/5 |
TRUSTED AND WELL-KNOWN COMPANY
|
VISIT SITE |
|
ZenBusiness
4.3/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
|
Bizee
4.1/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
|
Rocket Lawyer
3.9/5 |
|
VISIT SITE |
Whether you're starting a new business or considering a change, it's crucial to weigh factors like pricing, services, reputation, and customer support when choosing a registered agent in Oregon. Compare quotes and read online reviews to find the best fit for your needs.
Benefits of Using a Registered Agent Service
Many businesses choose to use a third-party service when they form an LLC. This is because it can offer a number of benefits, including:
- Legal compliance: A third-party registered agent company will ensure that you don’t miss an important legal document or notification (e.g., service of process, etc.) as a result of not being in your office (or as a result of a human error).
- Improved privacy: If you act as your own agent, your name and address will become public record on the Oregon Business Registry Search. Using a third-party service will help keep your information private.
- Discretion: When it comes to legal disputes, you will want to avoid receiving lawsuit-related documents in front of your clients and/or some employees.
- Better storage: Your service will generally scan all documents received and upload them online in PDF form. This means that you will always be able to access them online, and won’t have to worry about losing an important document.
A third-party service can also be beneficial if you plan to expand into other states as a foreign LLC. This is because, otherwise, you would need to find an individual or business entity that is a resident — or is allowed to transact business — in each state that you want to register in.
How to Elect a Registered Agent in Oregon
For your LLC in Oregon, you will be required to elect your registered agent when you complete your LLC’s Articles of Organization.
The Articles of Organization is the main formation document that you will need to file with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Corporation Division in order to form your LLC.
Electing a Registered Agent Online
You can form your LLC online on the Oregon Secretary of State website ($100 filing fee required). Your registered agent’s name and contact information will be requested when you file your LLC’s Articles of Organization online under Article IV:
Electing a Registered Agent by Mail
To form your LLC by mail, download the Articles of Organization form ($100 filing fee required), fill out the required fields, and submit a physical copy to the Oregon Secretary of State. You’ll be asked to provide your registered agent under Article IV:
How to Change Your Registered Agent in Oregon
To change your Oregon registered agent, you will need to fill out an Information Change form and file it with the Secretary of State’s Corporation Division. There is no filing fee involved.
This can be done by mail or in person.
Mail or In Person:
Secretary of State
Corporation Division
255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310-1327
You also can change your registered agent online when filing your annual registration renewal.
Check out our full guide on how to change registered agents in Oregon.
Oregon Registered Agent FAQs
Yes, you can, although this is generally not recommended.
Being your own agent is a relatively time-inefficient approach, and it will also not save you a significant amount of capital (e.g., around $10 per month).
For more information, we recommend having a look at our Oregon Registered Agent article.
Yes. All Oregon LLCs are required to appoint an agent in order to be formed.
This is a section in each LLC’s Articles of Organization, which is the official formation document that is filed with the Secretary of State.
You can change your LLC’s agent by filing an Information Change form with the Secretary of State. You will need to include your LLC’s name, registered agent address, and business activity.
See our How Do I Change My Registered Agent in Oregon article for more information.
You need to satisfy the following requirements in order to become an Oregon registered agent:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Have a physical address in Oregon
- Always be available during regular business hours at your specified address
Even so, we recommend going with a registered agent service as a small business owner.
A registered agent service is a third-party service that acts as your business’s commercial agent for a fee.
These services can often offer additional benefits, such as storing your documents online in PDF form and handling annual filings.
See our review of the Best Registered Agent Service in Oregon for more information.