Planning to start a business in Oregon? If so, one of the first steps for you will be giving that business a name. But you can’t choose any name. First, you’ll have to check that your desired business name isn’t already in use in the state.
All business names in Oregon must be unique, so you’ll need to perform a business search to ensure that you can use your preferred name. If it is already in use, you’ll have to search for other name options until you find one that is available.
We’ll explain how a business search works and provide some tidbits and tips to get your LLC off the ground in Oregon.
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How to check business name availability in Oregon
As mentioned previously, you can’t just pick any name for an Oregon business. It must be unique and available. How do you find out if a certain name is available? Here’s how:
1. Go to the Oregon Secretary of State website
The Oregon Secretary of State website has a simple search tool that you can use to check name availability.
2. Enter keywords
Next, just enter your desired business name into the search bar. You can leave out additions like “LLC” and “Company” in your business name as these do not make it legally unique and will not affect your search. You can add these later once you’ve found a business name that is unique from any others in use.
3. Run the search
Next, just click “Search.” The site will return results that have an exact match. If there’s an exact match, the name is not available. If there’s no match, the name is available for you to use.
Oregon law says no two businesses in the state can have the same name, so you should keep searching for names until you find one that’s available. Keep in mind that simply adding “LLC” or “Company” will not make a legally unique name from another already being used.
4. Consider reserving a name
After running an Oregon business name search, you have two options: You can reserve a name or you can register the name. You should reserve the name if you aren’t planning to set up the business immediately.
Oregon allows business owners to reserve a name for 120 days for $100. There is an optional additional fee of $5 for a confirmation copy to be sent to you.
To do so, you’ll fill out a quick form at the link above and provide the payment.
Again, you don’t need to reserve a name if you plan to officially set up your business with the state of Oregon, but if you’re just doing some homework and plan to set up your business later, reserve the name now so it’s not taken when you’re ready.
5. Check domain name availability
We created a tool that makes it easy.
How to name your Oregon business
Now that you know a little more about the business landscape in the state, it’s time to start generating a list of names for your business. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Write down basic details about your business
Start by creating a verbal picture of your business. Think about what your business will offer and who it will serve. Will you sell a specific product or service? Who’s going to buy it? Jot down a few details about your company as a starting point.
Next, start creating a list of adjectives that describe your business. Think in terms of keywords. What keywords would your customer use to find the product or service that you offer? Write them down.
2. Stay away from initials and hard-to-say words
There are plenty of businesses that include initials, like A&J Plumbing, but consider upping your game with something a bit more creative and descriptive.
The same goes for names that are hard to say. If your last name is Stackowaski, for example, it’s not conducive to a business name because it’s too hard to pronounce.
3. Don’t pigeon-hole your business
Be careful not to select a name that limits your company’s potential growth. Think about where your business will be in five, ten, even twenty years, and take that into consideration when creating a name.
A company named Bob’s Bargain Books, for example, is a good name, but what if they plan to sell vintage records and cassettes down the road? The name only refers to books, so when vintage music is added people won’t associate it with the store.
4. Consider using a name generator
At this point, you probably have a list of a few ideas. Rather than brainstorm a bunch of different combinations, why not try a name generator? You simply enter a few of the adjectives that you came up with into the search bar and you’ll get a list of possible names.
Name generators can take some of the hassles out of creating a name. Most name generators will only show you available names too, which is helpful.
Check out some of Namechk’s name generators below:
What kind of business structure is right for your Oregon company?
As you research available business names in Oregon, you’ll also want to think about what kind of business you want to establish. There are a handful of options to choose from, but some of the most common are Sole proprietorship and LLC.
- A sole proprietorship is ideal for small businesses with no employees that want to test their business out. There’s virtually no paperwork to set up this kind of business, which is a plus. However, a sole proprietorship is not a separate business entity, which means you’re financially and legally responsible for any problems that might arise.
- An LLC, or limited liability company, provides a certain amount of liability protection. Your personal assets and your business are separate with this business structure, which means if the business is sued or goes bankrupt, you will not be forced to use your personal cash reserves to bail the business out.
Steps to register your Oregon business
Ready to set up your business in OR? Here’s what you do:
1. File your Articles of Organization
Visit the Oregon Secretary of State website and fill out the Articles of Organization. To fill this out, you’ll need to have an available business name, address, and contact information.
2. Name a registered agent
You’ll also need to name a registered agent. A registered agent is the point-person for your company who will receive important documents like tax notices or legal documents.
A registered agent must be trustworthy and be available during regular business hours when documents are delivered. The business owner can serve as the registered agent in [Oregon], or another person or company can be named.
You might decide to name your accountant or co-founder, for example. You can also hire a registered agent service to serve in this role. Northwest Registered Agent, ZenBusiness, and Bizee are a few examples. These companies will receive documents on your behalf and notify you of their arrival.
3. Pay the filing fee
Every state charges a filing fee to file LLC formation documents with the government. In Oregon, the cost is $100.
4. Wait for approval
Oregon will review your application and typically provides approvals within five business days. Once approved, your business is officially set up.
Our picks of the best registered agent services
Oregon small business facts
Before you start considering business name availability in Oregon, take a look at these small business statistics from the U.S. Business Administration:
- Oregon small businesses employed 871,241 people, or 54.6% of the private workforce, in 2017.
- The median income for self–employed individuals at their own incorporated businesses was $51,240 in 2018. For self– employed individuals at their own unincorporated firms, median income was $24,693.
- The number of proprietors increased in 2018 by 2.9% relative to the previous year.
- Small businesses created 17,795 net jobs in 2019. Firms employing fewer than 20 employees experienced the largest gains, adding 14,145 net jobs. The smallest gains were in firms employing 20 to 99 employees, which added 668 net jobs.
- In the fourth quarter of 2019, Oregon grew at an annual rate of 2.4%, which was faster than the overall US growth rate
- of 2.1%. Oregon’s 2019 overall growth rate of 2.7% was down from the 2018 rate of 3.8%.
- Private-sector employment decreased 14.4% during the 12-month period ending in April 2020. This was below the increase of 1.7% during the prior 12-month period.
- In April 2020, the unemployment rate was 14.2%, up from 4.0% in April 2019. This was below the April 2020 national unemployment rate of 14.7%.
- Firms with fewer than 20 employees have the largest share of small business employment. Figure 1 provides further details on firms with employees.
FAQs
To further help entrepreneurs, check out these frequently asked questions about starting a business in Oregon:
Why is it so important to check on business name availability?
Oregon will not allow two businesses in the state to have the same name. There are many reasons for this, but at its core, it’s to avoid any confusion. For example, if someone plans to sue Bob’s Fruit Stand and there are two of these companies in the state, things can get complicated quickly.
All businesses must have a unique name. And, you can’t just add a hyphen to a name to make it different. Each name must be “distinguishingly different.”
Is registration required for an assumed business name or DBA?
If the name of your business includes the “real and true” name of each owner, then you don’t have to use or register an assumed business name.
A real and true name refers to your last name combined with your given name or initials. For example, if your name is Tom G. Sorenson, and you conduct business under the name Tom G. Sorenson Construction, you would not be required to register an assumed business name. For corporations, limited liability companies, and other business entities, the business name registered with the Corporation Division is the real and true name of the business – no additional name registration is required.
An assumed business name is only required for entities like corporations and LLCs if they are conducting business under a name other than the registered name for the entity.
How should a business buy products wholesale?
The state of Oregon does not assign resale numbers for wholesale purchases. Use your business registry number to buy wholesale.
Do businesses need to collect sales tax in Oregon?
No. Oregon is one of only five states that do not collect sales tax.
Does Oregon have an annual LLC tax?
Yes. Oregon requires LLCs to file an annual report on or before the anniversary date of when the business was started. The filing fee is $50.
Does Oregon require an operating agreement?
No. Oregon does not require an operating agreement. However, having an operating agreement will set clear rules and expectations for your LLC while establishing your credibility as a legal entity. So setting one in place is a good idea and a best practice for small businesses.
Are there financial assistance programs for startups in OR?
Yes, there are several options to consider pursuing. The Small Business Development Center’s Capital Access Team offers planning, training, and strategy for getting capital, and assists with funder relations and connections.
The Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) is a non-profit business support organization that offers financing for small business owners who are unable to access capital through traditional banking institutions. They offer loans up to $50,000.
How do you dissolve a business in Oregon?
While you’re focused on starting a business, it’s still a good idea to know what the process is to dissolve a business just in case things go wrong and you need to make a change of plans.
To dissolve a business in Oregon, you’ll need to fill out the Articles of Dissolution form. There will be a processing fee of $100 to submit the form.
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