[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.