How to Start an LLC in Oregon (2026)

Full transcript

0:00 The short answer

Dan To start an LLC in Oregon, you file Articles of Organization with the Oregon Secretary of State's Corporation Division, and the fee is $100.

Maya Is the filing online?

Dan It can be. You can use the Oregon Business Registry, or file by mail.

Maya This is The Business Formation Podcast. Today, Oregon for 2026, six steps with every cost, and the three best ways to have it filed for you. Where do we start?

0:28 Step 1: Choose a name

Dan Your name needs limited liability company, LLC, or L.L.C.

Maya Anything it can't include?

Dan Corporation, Inc., Ltd., and words like them aren't allowed. And it has to be distinguishable from names on record.

Maya How do I check?

Dan Oregon has a free business name search.

Maya And reserving?

Dan Optional, and pricey for a reservation: $100 for 120 days.

0:58 Step 2: Name a registered agent

Maya Who can be the agent?

Dan A person or business at a physical Oregon street address, where the agent is located during normal business hours.

Maya Can my LLC be its own agent?

Dan No. But an owner can be.

Maya What about a virtual office?

Dan Mail drops and virtual offices don't count. The agent also has to consent, and the address is public.

Maya I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

Dan Glad to be here, Maya. And changing agents later is free.

1:26 Step 3: File the Articles

Maya How do I file?

Dan Through the Oregon Business Registry online, for $100. The current estimate for online filings is one to three business days.

Maya Can I rush it?

Dan There's no expedite option.

Maya What do the Articles ask for?

Dan The name, the principal office, the registered agent, the organizers, how the LLC is managed, and one person with direct knowledge of the business.

Maya And who sees all that?

Dan Everyone. Everything on the form is public.

1:57 Step 4: Write an operating agreement

Maya Does Oregon collect the operating agreement?

Dan No. It isn't filed, and there's no state fee.

Maya Does it have to be written?

Dan Oregon allows a written or oral agreement. But put yours in writing.

Maya What goes in it?

Dan Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a member leaves.

2:18 Step 5: Get a free EIN

Maya And the federal piece?

Dan An EIN. Apply free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state files your Articles.

Maya What should I have on hand?

Dan The Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge. If the online application is approved, the number comes right away.

Maya What about the ownership report?

Dan Skip it. FinCEN no longer requires one from U.S. companies.

2:47 Step 6: File the annual report

Maya What does Oregon want after I form?

Dan An annual report, which Oregon calls a renewal. You file it by the anniversary of your filing every year.

Maya What's the cost?

Dan $100. The state mails a notice about 45 days ahead.

Maya And if I miss it?

Dan After a 45-day notice, the state can administratively dissolve the LLC.

Maya Can I come back from that?

Dan Within five years, you can reinstate by paying a reinstatement fee and the missed annual fees.

3:18 What it costs

Maya Give me the do-it-yourself math.

Dan $100 to file the Articles. Then $100 a year for the annual report. The EIN is free.

Maya So years one and two together?

Dan $200 with the Articles and your first report.

Maya What about the name reservation?

Dan Optional. It's another $100, so most people skip it unless they need the time.

3:41 Why the agent rules matter

Maya Back to the agent. If I'm my own, what do I need?

Dan You're an owner, so that works. But you must be at a physical Oregon street address during normal business hours.

Maya And if I travel a lot?

Dan Then a commercial agent is easier. They're set up to be there.

Maya What about an address that's just a mailbox?

Dan Mail drops and virtual offices don't count. The agent has to actually be located at the address.

Maya Any cost to switch agents?

Dan None. A change is free.

4:10 Reading the renewal notice

Maya The annual report notice. When does it show up?

Dan About 45 days before your anniversary.

Maya Where does it go?

Dan The state mails it. So keep your address current.

Maya And what if I never see it?

Dan Missing it is still your problem. After a 45-day notice, the state can dissolve the LLC.

Maya Then reinstating costs?

Dan A reinstatement fee, plus the missed annual fees, within five years.

4:36 What goes on the public record

Maya You said everything on the Articles is public. Walk me through that.

Dan The name, the principal office, the agent, the organizers, how the LLC is managed, and the person with direct knowledge of the business.

Maya Who is that last person?

Dan One individual who knows the business. Oregon's statute calls for that name on the Articles.

Maya Does it have to be an owner?

Dan The source says an individual with direct knowledge of the business. It doesn't say owner.

Maya So choose someone you're comfortable listing.

Dan Right, because anyone can look it up.

5:09 Name rules in more detail

Maya Let me come back to the name. Why can't I use Inc.?

Dan Oregon treats that as a corporation word. Corporation, Inc., and Ltd. are all out for an LLC.

Maya What must it have?

Dan Limited Liability Company, LLC, or L.L.C.

Maya And the reservation again?

Dan Optional. $100 for 120 days.

Maya Honestly that's steep for just holding a name.

Dan It is. If you can file right away, the $100 is better spent on the Articles themselves.

5:41 Timing your filing

Maya The one to three business days. Does that include approval?

Dan That's the current estimate for online filings.

Maya So how should I plan?

Dan Don't promise a launch date to a client before the state accepts the Articles.

Maya And the EIN?

Dan That comes after the filing, so build in a little time for both.

6:00 First-year checklist

Maya Order of operations?

Dan Search the name. Choose your agent and get their consent. File the Articles for $100.

Maya And the rest?

Dan Write your operating agreement, get your EIN, and mark your anniversary for the $100 annual report.

6:16 The 3 best ways to file in Oregon

Maya What if I'd rather have someone else handle it?

Dan Here are the three best ways to file in Oregon. Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee. With the $100 state fee, checkout comes to $299.

Maya What's included?

Dan Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year. It renews at the same $199.

Maya And the annual report?

Dan Mainstay files it by your anniversary every year. You pay only the $100 state fee.

Maya Number two?

Dan OR Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199 plus the state fee, also $299 at checkout. The first year of agent service is free, then $99 a year.

Maya And number three?

Dan Oregon Registered Agent.co. Same offer. $199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

Maya How should I choose?

Dan If you'll file the annual report yourself, numbers two and three cost less from year two, at $99 a year for the agent alone. The $100 state fee is the same either way.

7:32 Three years of service fees

Maya Give me the three-year view.

Dan Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597. Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years, for $397.

Maya A $200 gap.

Dan Yes. With Mainstay, that gap covers your annual report being filed for you.

7:58 Recap

Maya Can you recap?

Dan Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent at an Oregon street address, file the Articles online for $100, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and file your $100 annual report by your anniversary every year.

Maya The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes. Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new Oregon LLC.