Search Oregon LLC, Corporation & Assumed Business Name Records
Use the Oregon Secretary of State Business Registry to look up LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, limited partnerships, assumed business names and other registered entities by business name or registry number.
The registry is also the starting point for checking a registered agent, finding associated business names, reviewing filing history, renewing a business and ordering a Certificate of Existence.
Fastest method: enter the Oregon business name or registry number on the Secretary of State’s Find a Business page. If the name search is unclear, use Advanced Business Name Search rather than assuming the entity is missing.
Best identifier: save the registry number once you identify the correct entity. It is useful for renewals, certificates, associated-name searches, updates and support questions.
Need only active records? Oregon also offers a separate active-registration search that can show registry number, entity name, entity type, registry date, registered agent and address, business mailing address and associated names.
How to Search Oregon Business Records
Start with the shortest reliable information you have. The goal is to identify the exact state record before using renewal, certificate or copy services.
- Open the Oregon Secretary of State Find a Business page.
- Enter the business name or Oregon business registry number.
- Select Search.
- If the basic search is too narrow or returns confusing results, open Advanced Business Name Search.
- Open the matching entity and confirm its name, registry number, entity type, status, registered agent and addresses.
- Save the registry number and check Summary History before ordering paid records.
Image description: this user-help visual shows the Oregon Secretary of State business search area used to enter a business name or registry number. It is provided only to help readers recognize the search area and is not a claim that this website is an official Oregon government site.
Oregon Advanced Business Name Search Options
Oregon’s advanced search is especially useful when you know only part of the name, are unsure of spelling or do not know the order of the words.
| Search style | Use it when | How Oregon describes it |
|---|---|---|
| Exact words in exact order — only | You know the precise spelling and order. | The entity name begins with the words exactly as entered and with the same number of keyed words. |
| Exact words in exact order — followed by anything | You know the opening words but not the full legal name. | Additional words can follow the exact words you entered. |
| Exact words in any order | You know the words but not their order. | The words must be spelled as entered but can appear in any order with other words. |
| Soundalike in exact order | You know the word order but may have the spelling wrong. | Results include matching or similar-sounding words in the same order. |
| Soundalike in any order | You are uncertain about spelling and word order. | Matching and similar-sounding words may appear in any order. |
| Extended search in any order | You are unsure of the business name. | The search can include similarly spelled, similar-sounding or similarly meaningful words. |
What to Check on an Oregon Business Registry Record
Core identity
- Exact business name
- Oregon registry number
- Entity type
- Registry date
- Current active or inactive context
People, addresses & history
- Registered agent and registered address
- Principal or mailing address information
- Associated names where available
- Officer, member or manager information where displayed
- Summary History and available filing images
Records from before 2009 may be stored on microfiche and require a formal copy request. Oregon also notes that annual reports before January 2003 were not kept as permanent records.
Finding Associated Businesses and Registered Agents
Oregon’s Business Name Search includes an associated-business feature that can be useful when one business is connected with several assumed names or acts as registered agent for multiple entities.
- Search the business by name or registry number.
- When the result shows a search option next to the name, use it to view associated businesses.
- Choose a specific associated-name type or leave the type set to All.
- Choose Active, Inactive or both when that option is available.
- Open individual entities to confirm the relationship before drawing conclusions.
How Oregon Business Name Availability Works
The Oregon Secretary of State provides a Business Name Availability Check, but the result is still preliminary. Final approval happens when the Corporation Division reviews the actual filing.
A new business name must be distinguishable from other active names in Oregon’s Business Registry.
Differences that may not make a name distinguishable
- Entity words such as LLC, Inc., Co. or Corp.
- Punctuation or special characters
- Spacing
- Adding or removing an “s” in certain cases
- Articles, prepositions or conjunctions
- Capitalization
Better screening process
- Search the exact proposed name.
- Search the strongest distinctive words.
- Try the advanced soundalike search.
- Check active assumed business names.
- Use Oregon’s formal availability check before filing.
- Open Business Name Search.
- Choose the Business Name Availability Check method.
- Enter the proposed name.
- Review close active names rather than checking only exact matches.
- Treat the result as preliminary until the Corporation Division accepts the actual filing.
Oregon Annual Reports and Business Renewals
Oregon does not use one calendar deadline for every entity. The renewal is tied to the anniversary date of the original filing.
| Registration type | Renewal cycle | Current fee |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic LLC | Every year on the filing anniversary | $100 |
| Domestic business / professional corporation | Every year on the filing anniversary | $100 |
| Domestic nonprofit corporation | Every year on the filing anniversary | $50 |
| Foreign business corporation | Every year on the Oregon registration anniversary | $275 |
| Foreign LLC | Every year on the Oregon registration anniversary | $275 |
| Assumed Business Name | Every two years | $50 |
Oregon says renewal notices are sent about 45 days before the due date.
- Select Renew Existing Business.
- Enter your email address and business registry number.
- Select Retrieve Renewal Detail.
- Select Start Renewal when the renewal is available.
- Enter daytime contact information and review the business details.
- Update permitted fields, sign the filing and submit payment.
- Keep the emailed payment receipt and filed confirmation copy.
Oregon Business Registry Fees Most Relevant After a Search
| Service or filing | Current listed fee | Practical use |
|---|---|---|
| Business registry search | Free | Finding business names, registry numbers and public entity records. |
| Domestic LLC formation | $100 | Articles of Organization. |
| Domestic LLC annual renewal | $100 | Keeping the domestic LLC registration current. |
| Domestic business corporation formation / renewal | $100 | Articles of Incorporation or annual renewal. |
| Domestic nonprofit formation / renewal | $50 | Nonprofit incorporation or annual renewal. |
| Foreign LLC or business corporation registration / renewal | $275 | Authority to transact business in Oregon and annual renewal. |
| Assumed Business Name registration / renewal | $50 | Registering a DBA-style name; renewal is every two years. |
| Certificate of Existence | $10 | Formal proof similar to a Certificate of Good Standing in other states. |
| Certified document copy | $15 | When a normal registry image is not sufficient. |
Open the official Oregon Business Registry Fee Schedule.
Oregon Certificate of Existence & Business Record Copies
Oregon calls its standard status certificate a Certificate of Existence. The state says it is similar to what many other states call a Certificate of Good Standing.
Certificate of Existence
Fee: $10.
Oregon says the certificate can be ordered online and received within minutes.
Certified copy
Fee: $15 for a certified document file or specific document request.
Check free online images first before ordering.
Open Oregon Business Registry Certificates.
- Search the business first and confirm the exact registry number.
- Log into Oregon Business Registry.
- Select Certificate of Existence.
- Confirm that you selected the correct entity.
- Pay the $10 online fee by credit card.
- Save the certificate after it is generated.
Oregon Assumed Business Names
An Oregon Assumed Business Name, often called a DBA elsewhere, is used when a person or entity conducts business under a name different from its “real and true name.”
Registration and renewal
The current registration fee is $50. An Oregon assumed business name is valid for two years and currently renews for $50.
County coverage
The registration must be associated with at least one Oregon county. Oregon’s Start a Business Guide says an assumed name can be registered in all Oregon counties without an additional state filing fee.
The principal place of business must be a physical address. Oregon does not allow a PO Box, commercial mail receiving agency, mail forwarding business or virtual office as the principal physical address.
Oregon Registered-Agent Rules
An Oregon LLC, corporation and other registered entity must maintain a qualifying registered agent for legal documents.
- The agent can be an individual or an eligible registered business.
- The agent must have an Oregon street address.
- The registered-office address must be suitable for personal delivery of legal papers.
- A PO Box alone is not acceptable as the registered office.
- A commercial mail receiving agency, forwarding service or virtual office is not acceptable for the registered-office address.
- The entity cannot act as its own registered agent.
- A newly appointed registered agent must consent to the appointment.
Read Oregon Registered Agents & Service of Process guidance.
What to Do if an Oregon Business Is Inactive
If the Corporation Division administratively dissolved an entity for failure to file its annual report, Oregon allows qualifying entities to request reinstatement.
- Search the entity and save its registry number.
- Open Oregon’s Business Registry Online Renewal service.
- Enter your email and registry number.
- If the entity is eligible, select the reinstatement option.
- Correct inaccurate business information.
- Submit the reinstatement and required payment.
Oregon says a business administratively dissolved for less than five years can generally be reinstated online or with a paper form. The business name must still be available, and missed annual fees plus reinstatement charges may apply.
Common Oregon Business Search Problems
| Problem | Best next step |
|---|---|
| No business appears | Search fewer words and remove LLC, Inc., Corporation, punctuation and extra branding. |
| Spelling is uncertain | Use the Soundalike or Extended advanced search. |
| Word order is uncertain | Use Exact Words in Any Word Order or Soundalike Words in Any Word Order. |
| Too many similar names | Compare registry number, entity type, registry date, agent and address. |
| Need only active businesses | Use Oregon’s Search Active Business Registration Records tool. |
| Need an old filing image | Check Summary History first. For older records or missing images, use the Request for Copy process. |
| Renewal link is not visible | The printable annual-report link appears only when the entity is due for renewal. Use Renewal Help or contact the Corporation Division if the record should be eligible. |
| Safari or registry page has issues | Oregon advises users experiencing Online Business Registry problems in Safari to try another supported browser. |
What the Oregon SOS Record Does Not Prove
The Oregon Business Registry is a state filing record, not a complete business background check.
Check elsewhere for
- Professional or occupational licenses
- Local permits
- Tax compliance
- Insurance coverage
- Contractor licensing
- Customer complaints or reputation
Address caution
A registered-agent address, mailing address or public filing address should not automatically be treated as a retail storefront, job site or current operating location.
Oregon Corporation Division Contact Information
Walk-in office
Oregon Secretary of State
Corporation Division
Public Service Building
255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310
Front desk: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Official Oregon Business Entity Resources
Main Oregon Secretary of State lookup for a business name or registry number.
Explains exact, soundalike, word-order and extended search methods.
List-style active business data including registry number, entity type, agent, mailing address and associated names.
Official distinguishability rules and name-availability instructions.
Online annual-report / renewal instructions and mail-filing steps.
Certificate of Existence and other certificate-request information.
Free online images, certified copies, older records and document-file requests.
Official entity registration, renewal, assumed-name and related Corporation Division fees.
Instructions for eligible administratively dissolved entities and inactive assumed business names.
Agent rules, registered-office requirements and service-of-process information.
Oregon Business Entity Search FAQ
Is the Oregon business entity search free?
Yes. Oregon’s Business Name Search and public registry lookup are available without a search fee. Fees apply to filings, renewals, certificates and certified-copy requests.
Where do I search for an Oregon LLC or corporation?
Use the Oregon Secretary of State Find a Business page. Enter the business name or Oregon registry number, then open the matching entity record.
What should I do if I do not know the exact Oregon business name?
Use Advanced Business Name Search. Oregon offers exact-word, any-order, soundalike and extended search methods for incomplete or uncertain names.
What is an Oregon business registry number?
It is the state identifier attached to the business registry record. Save it after finding the correct entity because it is useful for renewals, certificates, record requests, updates and associated-name searches.
When is an Oregon LLC annual report due?
An Oregon LLC renews every year on the anniversary date of its original filing. Oregon sends the renewal notice about 45 days before the due date, and the current domestic LLC renewal fee is $100.
How often does an Oregon assumed business name renew?
An Oregon assumed business name renews every two years. The current registration and renewal fee is $50.
How much is an Oregon Certificate of Existence?
The current fee is $10. Oregon says the Certificate of Existence can be ordered online through Oregon Business Registry and received within minutes.
Can I view Oregon business filing documents for free?
Often, yes. Oregon says many business-registration documents filed since 2009 are available free through Summary History on the entity’s registry page. Older or unavailable records may require a copy request.
Can an Oregon LLC or corporation be its own registered agent?
No. Oregon requires an individual or eligible registered business with an Oregon street address to serve as registered agent, and the entity itself cannot act as its own registered agent.
What happens if an Oregon business misses its annual report?
A business can become administratively dissolved for failing to file the required annual report. Eligible entities that have been inactive for less than five years can generally request reinstatement, subject to name availability, address requirements and required fees.