Start an LLC in Oregon

Naming your business is one of the first—and most important—steps in forming your LLC. Beyond simply meeting state requirements, your name plays a big role in how customers perceive your brand. Aim for something that reflects your services or products, is easy to remember and spell, and can grow with your business over time. It’s also a smart idea to check whether your desired name is available as a domain so you can build a consistent business identity from the start.

Oregon’s official naming rules (outlined in OR. Rev. Stat. § 63.094) require your LLC name to include “limited liability company,” “L.L.C.,” or “LLC,” and prohibit words that suggest it’s a different type of business entity, like “corporation” or “limited partnership.” Your name must also be unique and distinguishable from other businesses registered in the state. Once you’ve landed on a name you like, check its availability before moving forward. If you’re not quite ready to form your LLC, Oregon allows you to reserve your chosen name for up to 120 days, giving you time to plan your next steps.

Your domain name opens up a world of options. From launching a website, building social media profiles, setting up email communications, and printing business cards, there’s a whole lot of new-business stuff you can’t do until you choose a domain name.

When you choose your business domain, consider:

• Does your domain work well with your business name?

• Is your domain easy to remember and spell?

• Is your domain available wherever else you want it, like social platforms, trademarks, or business name registries?

Once you have a domain you’re happy with, it’s time to claim it. When you order your domain through Northwest, we’ll also set you up with a website, custom built by our business website experts, hosted and secured through us.

All LLCs in Oregon are required to have a registered agent. This is someone (yourself, another individual, or a company like us) designated to accept legal mail on behalf of your business. You’ll need to have your registered agent’s name and address ready before you fill out your Articles of Organization.

The requirements for a registered agent in Oregon are outlined in OR. Rev. Stat. § 63.111. In addition to accepting legal mail on your behalf, your registered agent must:

• Have a physical address in Oregon. (No P.O. Boxes or virtual offices allowed)
• Keep regular business hours (9 AM to 5 PM)

You can be your own registered agent in Oregon as long as you don’t mind listing your name and address on the public record. You’ll have to keep regular business hours at this address and be available to accept legal mail in person.

To officially create your LLC, you’ll complete a form called Oregon Articles of Organization. If you don’t submit this form to the Oregon Secretary of State and pay the $100 filing fee, your business cannot become an LLC. All of the information on this form will become part of the public record.

To complete the Articles, you’ll need to provide the following information:

• Company name: Include an indicator like LLC or something similar.
• Duration: Check a box to signify whether your LLC has a known end date or not. Tip: Most people leave this blank.
• Principal office: This is the physical street address where primary business operations occur.
• Registered agent: This is the person or company designated to accept service of process on behalf of your LLC.
• Registered office: The physical address in Oregon where your registered agent is present during business hours.
• Mailing address: You can use a P.O. Box if you want.
• Management structure: Indicate whether your LLC will be managed by members or managers.
• Professional services: This is only for PLLCs (LLCs that provide a state-licensed service like law or medicine).
• Optional provisions: Anything you’d like to add goes here. For example: Check the box to make your LLC a benefit company and attach supporting documents.
• Organizer: This is the person who is preparing and signing the document. If you hire us, we sign here.
• Member names and addresses: Members are your LLC’s owners. This step is optional.
• Manager names and addresses: Managers are people hired to run your LLC. This step is optional.
• Individual with direct knowledge: This is a member, manager, or someone else who knows what your business is up to.
• Contact name and phone number: If there’s a problem with your filing, the Oregon Secretary of State will reach out to this person.

An operating agreement is an internal document that specifies, in detail, how your business will be run. It’s the nitty gritty—how much each member invested, how profits and losses are allocated, how voting works, how membership is transferred, and how your LLC will handle disputes.

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a unique nine-digit number issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify your business for tax purposes. You can apply for an EIN directly from the IRS for free—applying online is the fastest option, though you’ll need to use a paper form if you don’t have a Social Security number. If you choose to have us form your Oregon business, we can also handle the EIN application for you to simplify the process.

Oregon LLCs are required to file an Oregon Annual Report ($100) each year to keep their business information up to date with the state. This report confirms details like your LLC’s address, registered agent, and member or manager information. It’s due annually on the anniversary of your LLC’s formation and must be filed with the Oregon Secretary of State. Staying on top of this requirement helps keep your business in good standing and avoids late fees or administrative penalties. If you’d rather not handle the filing yourself, you can hire Northwest to take care of it for you and help ensure everything is submitted accurately and on time.

No matter what business you’re in, you need a reliable way to manage your mail and correspondence. That might mean a traditional office you commute to each day, or a virtual setup that lets you stay organized no matter where you work. With an Oregon Virtual Office, you can keep your business communications professional while protecting your privacy by separating your personal phone number, email, and address from your business.

Our Oregon Virtual Office service includes a phone line with a local area code, mail forwarding, a unique business address at our Portland office, and access to our expert Corporate Guides®. If you don’t need the full suite, you can opt for Oregon Mail Forwarding instead, with options like same-day digital scans or weekly physical mail delivery—helping you keep your personal address private while staying on top of important correspondence.