An Oregon Registered Agent provides various services, including the acceptance of formal documents and correspondence from the Oregon Secretary of State (OR SOS).
Your LLC must have a Registered Agent at all times. You appoint one when you first start your business. You can also replace your existing Oregon Registered Agent at a later date, provided there is a smooth transition between the old and new agents.
Oregon Registered Agent Requirements
- Every LLC, both foreign and domestic, must have a Registered Agent with a registered office within the State of Oregon at all times
- The Registered Agent can be a domestic or foreign (licensed to transact business in the state) artificial legal entity (Corporation, LLC, LP or LLP) or a natural person.
- The Registered Office must be in the state of Oregon and located at a street address (a P.O. Box only is not acceptable)
- If the Registered Agent is a person, they must live in Oregon.
- If the Registered Agent is a company, they must be authorized to conduct business in Oregon.
- The Registered Agent must be available in person to sign for any correspondence during normal business hours.
Note that the address for your Oregon Registered Agent does not need to be the same as your business address. In fact, you may want to use an Oregon virtual mailbox for your business address.
Important: A virtual mailbox does not replace your Registered Agent. They perform two separate functions, and you are required to have a Registered Agent, per state law.
What an Oregon Registered Agent Does
A Registered Agent’s main function is to accept official documentation and correspondence.
This includes:
- Correspondence from the OR SOS
- Service of process notices (e.g., if your LLC is sued or required to appear in court)
- State and federal government correspondence and notices
- Tax forms and requests to complete permits, company filings and reports
Having a Registered Agent also provides proof to the state that your business exists.
Incfile Provides Free Oregon Registered Agent Service for the First Year
Incfile provides complete Oregon Registered Agent service for any LLC that’s formed in the state. Even better, if you form your LLC through Incfile, your Registered Agent is completely free for the first year and only $119 a year after that.
Incfile is authorized to conduct business in Oregon and can legally act as your Registered Agent. Here’s what our Registered Agent service provides:
An always-available Oregon Registered Agent who can receive correspondence, documents and legal proceedings on your LLC's behalf
Automatic forwarding of all legal correspondence, documentation and information directly to you
Email notification whenever we receive documents for your business
A digital dashboard where you can access, store and retrieve any information we’ve received for your business
Appointing a Registered Agent for Your LLC
When you first form your LLC, you must appoint a Registered Agent. You can change it at any point after that. Here’s how to go about it.
Assign a Registered Agent When You Form Your LLC
Your business needs to have a Registered Agent as soon as it’s formed. You can do this two ways:
When you formally create your business, you’re required to include details of your Registered Agent in your Articles of Organization.
Establish your business through us, and you’ll get a free year of our Registered Agent Service. We’ll also complete and file your Articles of Organization for you with the information that you provide.
Assign a Different Registered Agent After Formation
You can also assign someone else to be your Oregon Registered Agent after you’ve formed your LLC. There are a couple of ways to achieve this.
Once you’ve chosen a new Registered Agent, you can complete the Corporation/Limited Liability Company - Information Change form that’s available on the OR Secretary of State website. Once you’ve filled it out, send it to the Secretary of State and they’ll update your records. There is no fee for this service.
When you use our Registered Agent service, we take care of all the form filling and filing for you. We’ll collect important information about your business, complete the form on your behalf and then send it to the OR SOS. When we officially become your Registered Agent, we’ll let you know.
Oregon Registered Agent Search
In certain situations, it may be useful to know the name of the Registered Agent that represents another LLC in Oregon. This information is available in the state's business database.
If you can’t find the Registered Agent information there, you can request it from the Secretary of State.
What Happens If You Don’t Have a Registered Agent?
If you don’t assign or provide details of a Registered Agent to the Secretary of State, there are several possible ramifications, including:
- Falling out of good standing with the OR SOS. The state may revoke your right to do business if you don’t respond to certain correspondence (such as a request for your annual report).
- Getting sued or served and not knowing about it. You could lose to a default judgment in your absence if your LLC is sued and you don’t respond.
- Losing your status as an LLC in Oregon. A Registered Agent is evidence to the state that your business exists. Without it, you could lose your business entity protections and your LLC may be dissolved.
Acting as Your Own Registered Agent
You can be the Registered Agent for your Oregon LLC if you have a business office in Oregon. There can be some drawbacks to this approach:
- The Registered Agent must have a physical street address in Oregon. If you’re forming an LLC outside the state, you’ll need to use an in-state Registered Agent.
- Someone must always be available during business hours at the Oregon address to sign for important documents.
- The Registered Agent’s name and address are part of the public record and available through the OR SOS website. If you prefer to keep your name and address private, you should use a Registered Agent service.
- If you change your business address or move out of state, you need to file additional documentation with the Secretary of State for the new address. This won't be necessary if you use a Registered Agent service, making a move or address change much simpler.
Other Useful Resources
FAQs About Oregon Registered Agents
Yes. All business entities in the state are required to have a Registered Agent. This is mandated by the OR Secretary of State. Find more information above.
You must assign a Registered Agent when you form your Oregon business with the Secretary of State. You can change your agent afterward by filing the correct form. If you form your business through Incfile, we’ll file all the necessary forms on your behalf. You'll find more information above.
Yes, but we don’t recommend it for the reasons listed above.
Yes. And if you use a company as your Registered Agent, that company must be legally able to conduct business in the state. You'll find more information above.
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