About Business Licenses in Oregon

By Business & Finance Last updated Tuesday, May/07/2024

Types

You must select a business entity type for your business. The entity type determines which forms you submit to register your business. Oregon business entity types include limited liability companies, business corporations, non-profit corporations and limited liability partnerships.

A sole proprietorship is an individual doing business under his own name. He does not need to register for a business license in Oregon. However, to do business under a different name, he has to file for an assumed business name license.

All business entities must have a registered agent. She is an Oregon resident who voluntarily agrees to be the company's point of contact for official correspondence, such as legal paperwork.

Non-profit corporations must be formed for a purpose other than financial profit. Limited-liability partnerships are restricted to a list of specific business types, such as attorneys and nurses. Anyone may form a business corporation or limited-liability company in Oregon.

Oregon business registrations last for one year. Assumed business name registrations last for two years. You will receive a renewal notice approximately 45 days before your renewal date, which is the anniversary of your original registration date.

Register a new business online at the State of Oregon Central Business Registry website. Alternately, locate and print the forms you need for your chosen business entity at the Oregon Secretary of State Corporation Division website and mail or fax them in along with payment. As of June 2010, most Oregon business registrations cost $100.

You will receive an email when your business registration is approved. Print your business registration license by logging on to the Oregon Central Business Registry portal.

Registering a business entity means the business is a separate legal entity from its owners. As long as its owners and employees act in good faith, their personal assets are safe if the business goes bankrupt or is sued. The business can have bank accounts and lines of credit in its own name, not secured by or linked to the owner's assets.