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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Oregon, you file Articles of Organization with the Oregon

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<v Dan>Secretary of State's Corporation Division, and the fee is $100.

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<v Maya>Is the filing online?

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

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Oregon for 2026, six steps with every cost, and the three best ways to have

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<v Maya>it filed for you. Where do we start?

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

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<v Maya>Anything it can't include?

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<v Dan>Corporation, Inc., Ltd., and words like them aren't allowed.

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<v Dan>And it has to be distinguishable from names on record.

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<v Maya>How do I check?

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<v Dan>Oregon has a free business name search.

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<v Maya>And reserving?

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

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<v Maya>Who can be the agent?

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<v Dan>A person or business at a physical Oregon street address, where the agent is located

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<v Dan>during normal business hours.

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<v Maya>Can my LLC be its own agent?

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<v Dan>No. But an owner can be.

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<v Maya>What about a virtual office?

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<v Dan>Mail drops and virtual offices don't count.

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<v Dan>The agent also has to consent, and the address is public.

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

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

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<v Maya>How do I file?

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<v Dan>Through the Oregon Business Registry online, for $100.

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<v Dan>The current estimate for online filings is one to three business days.

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<v Maya>Can I rush it?

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<v Dan>There's no expedite option.

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<v Maya>What do the Articles ask for?

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<v Dan>The name, the principal office, the registered agent, the organizers, how the LLC is

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<v Dan>managed, and one person with direct knowledge of the business.

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<v Maya>And who sees all that?

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<v Dan>Everyone. Everything on the form is public.

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<v Maya>Does Oregon collect the operating agreement?

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

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<v Maya>Does it have to be written?

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<v Dan>Oregon allows a written or oral agreement.

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<v Dan>But put yours in writing.

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<v Maya>What goes in it?

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<v Dan>Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>And the federal piece?

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<v Dan>An EIN. Apply free with the IRS at IRS.gov,

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<v Dan>after the state files your Articles.

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<v Maya>What should I have on hand?

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<v Dan>The Social Security number or ITIN of the person in charge.

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<v Dan>If the online application is approved, the number comes right away.

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<v Maya>What about the ownership report?

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<v Dan>Skip it. FinCEN no longer requires one from U.S.

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>What does Oregon want after I form?

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<v Dan>An annual report, which Oregon calls a renewal.

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<v Dan>You file it by the anniversary of your filing every year.

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<v Maya>What's the cost?

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

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<v Maya>And if I miss it?

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

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<v Maya>Can I come back from that?

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<v Dan>Within five years, you can reinstate by paying a reinstatement fee and the missed

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<v Dan>annual fees.

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<v Maya>Give me the do-it-yourself math.

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<v Dan>$100 to file the Articles. Then $100 a year for the annual report.

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<v Dan>The EIN is free.

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<v Maya>So years one and two together?

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<v Dan>$200 with the Articles and your first report.

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<v Maya>What about the name reservation?

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

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

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<v Dan>You're an owner, so that works.

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<v Dan>But you must be at a physical Oregon street address during normal business hours.

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<v Maya>And if I travel a lot?

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<v Dan>Then a commercial agent is easier.

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<v Dan>They're set up to be there.

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

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<v Dan>Mail drops and virtual offices don't count.

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<v Dan>The agent has to actually be located at the address.

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<v Maya>Any cost to switch agents?

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<v Dan>None. A change is free.

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

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<v Dan>About 45 days before your anniversary.

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<v Maya>Where does it go?

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<v Dan>The state mails it. So keep your address current.

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<v Maya>And what if I never see it?

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<v Dan>Missing it is still your problem.

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<v Dan>After a 45-day notice, the state can dissolve the LLC.

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<v Maya>Then reinstating costs?

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

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<v Maya>You said everything on the Articles is public.

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<v Maya>Walk me through that.

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<v Dan>The name, the principal office, the agent, the organizers, how the LLC is managed,

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<v Dan>and the person with direct knowledge of the business.

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<v Maya>Who is that last person?

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<v Dan>One individual who knows the business.

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<v Dan>Oregon's statute calls for that name on the Articles.

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<v Maya>Does it have to be an owner?

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<v Dan>The source says an individual with direct knowledge of the business.

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<v Dan>It doesn't say owner.

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<v Maya>So choose someone you're comfortable listing.

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<v Dan>Right, because anyone can look it up.

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

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<v Dan>Oregon treats that as a corporation word.

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<v Dan>Corporation, Inc., and Ltd. are all out for an LLC.

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<v Maya>What must it have?

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<v Dan>Limited Liability Company, LLC, or L.L.C.

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<v Maya>And the reservation again?

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<v Dan>Optional. $100 for 120 days.

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

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

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<v Dan>themselves.

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<v Maya>The one to three business days.

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<v Maya>Does that include approval?

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<v Dan>That's the current estimate for online filings.

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<v Maya>So how should I plan?

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

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<v Maya>And the EIN?

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

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<v Maya>Order of operations?

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<v Dan>Search the name. Choose your agent and get their consent.

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<v Dan>File the Articles for $100.

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<v Maya>And the rest?

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<v Dan>Write your operating agreement, get your EIN, and mark your anniversary for the $100

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<v Dan>annual report.

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

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<v Dan>Here are the three best ways to file in Oregon.

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<v Dan>Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the state fee.

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<v Dan>With the $100 state fee, checkout comes to $299.

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<v Maya>What's included?

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<v Dan>Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year.

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<v Dan>It renews at the same $199.

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<v Maya>And the annual report?

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<v Dan>Mainstay files it by your anniversary every year.

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<v Dan>You pay only the $100 state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>OR Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199

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<v Dan>plus the state fee, also $299 at checkout.

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<v Dan>The first year of agent service is free, then $99 a year.

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<v Maya>And number three?

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<v Dan>Oregon Registered Agent.co. Same offer.

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a year.

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<v Maya>How should I choose?

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<v Dan>If you'll file the annual report yourself, numbers two and three cost less from year

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<v Dan>two, at $99 a year for the agent alone.

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<v Dan>The $100 state fee is the same either way.

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<v Maya>Give me the three-year view.

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<v Dan>Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597.

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<v Dan>Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two

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<v Dan>years, for $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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

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<v Maya>Can you recap?

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent at an Oregon street address,

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<v Dan>file the Articles online for $100, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN,

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<v Dan>and file your $100 annual report by your anniversary every year.

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<v Maya>The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes.

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<v Maya>Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new

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<v Maya>Oregon LLC.