How to Find the Best Registered Agent in Oregon
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This guide will help you find the best registered agent in Oregon. We’ll explore key factors to consider, evaluate top providers, and equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision for your business’s registered agent needs.
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What is an Oregon registered agent?
The Oregon Secretary of State defines a registered agent as a person or business entity that accepts service of process and official correspondence as a third-party representative for a business. An Oregon registered agent is required to be the point of contact between a company and the Secretary of State.
It’s the role of a registered agent to receive legal notices and other important documents that include:
- Articles of Organization– the formation documents for an LLC in Oregon
- Articles of Incorporation – corporations submit the document upon formation
- Annual report fee – due annually on the anniversary of business formation
- Certificate of Existence– proof of good standing in Oregon
- Corporation excise and income tax – due quarterly
An agent is a physical presence when you can’t be
Oregon state law requires a registered agent to have a street address and be physically available during normal business hours to receive official notices.
The physical availability of a registered agent allows you to list them on your business registration and public record.
A registered agent is the point of contact between you and Oregon
The registered agent you appoint is the point of contact between you and the Oregon Secretary of State. It’s the role of an agent to receive time-sensitive documents such as subpoenas.
You have 14 days to respond to a legal summons in Oregon.
Failing to respond to a subpoena can lead to default judgments and monetary sanctions.
Resident agent services is a due date schedule
The annual report is due on the anniversary of the formation of your business.
Submitting the fee late can mean losing good standing and liability protection in Oregon.
Professional registered agent services keep a current compliance calendar to remind you when fees and documents are due.
Cost of a registered agent in Oregon
A registered agent in Oregon must be 18 years old and have a street address in the state.
You can appoint yourself, a friend, an employee, etc., for free if they meet Oregon registered agent requirements.
A commercial registered agent service in Oregon will cost between $50 and $500.
When to appoint a registered agent
A business appoints a registered agent when submitting formation documents to the Oregon Secretary of State Corporation Division.
Limited liability companies (LLCs) provide the registered agent address and name on the Articles of Organization.
For corporations, the Articles of Incorporation will ask for the registered agent’s name and contact information.
How does an Oregon LLC appoint a registered agent?
1
File the Articles of Organization
You can complete the Oregon Articles of Organization form and submit it by mail to the Secretary of State Corporations Division.
Mailing address & physical address:
Oregon Secretary of State
Corporation Division
255 Capitol St. NE
Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310
You can use the Oregon Business Registry to file the Articles of Organization online.
2
Appoint your registered agent
Sections 4, 5 & 6 will ask for registered agent information.
- Registered agent name
- Registered agent publically available address
- Registered agent mailing address
3
Pay your Oregon filing fees
The filing fee for Oregon Articles of Organization is $100.
The Secretary of State Corporations Division does not offer expedited business filing services.
The cost to file your LLC Articles of Organization in Oregon is $100.
How to change your registered agent in Oregon
The Secretary of State requires a business to send an official notification if they switch registered agents or any registered office address changes.
Submit the information change form by mail
You will download and complete the appropriate information form and submit it to the Oregon Secretary of State Corporations Division by mail.
Oregon does not charge a fee to switch registered agents.
How to resign as a registered agent in Oregon
First, you must send a written notice to the company from which you’re withdrawing consent to act as a registered agent.
You will then complete the statement of resignation of registered agent form and submit it to the Oregon Secretary of State Corporations Division by mail, in person, or by fax.
You will need to provide certain information on the statement of resignation.
- Business entity name
- Resigning registered agent name
- Statement of resignation
- Date
- Signature
The Oregon Secretary of State does not charge to resign as a registered agent.
Benefits of appointing a registered agent in Oregon
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You remain in compliance with the state of Oregon
The annual report in Oregone is due on the anniversary of the business formation.
Any business that submits the fee late can face losing good standing and asset protection in Oregon.
Registered agent services utilize compliance calendars to keep up with due dates to notify you when the annual report or state taxes are due. Most services will help you file the proper paperwork and dues to avoid losing liability protection.
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Your private office address remains private
Small business owners and entrepreneurs often work from private offices or even home addresses.
When a business owner appoints themselves as the registered agent, the personal address becomes public record.
Anyone can search the Oregon Business Registry Search by business name or registry number.
Hiring an outside agent or service means you can use that address as the business address to avoid having your private office listed in the public record.
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You get the discretion you need for peace of mind
A process service can arrive unannounced at your place of business to serve legal documents, including subpoenas.
Appointing a registered agent will provide the peace of mind that your personal business remains private and out of the view of customers.
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You remain the boss of your work schedule
Oregon statutes require registered agents to be available during regular business hours to accept official documents from the Secretary of State and the Oregon Department of Revenue.
A business owner that appoints themselves are responsible for being available Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
By appointing a professional registered agent service, you ensure someone is available during normal business hours, so you aren’t stuck in the office.
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You’re Oregon Certificate of Existence is always available
You must present bank proof that you’re in good standing with the Oregon Secretary of State.
The best-registered agent services give business organizations 24/7 access to the Certificate of Existence and other formation documents to make doing business more convenient.
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Quick and easy foreign LLC formation
Expanding into a different state requires appointing a registered agent for the foreign LLC formation process.
An appointed registered agent or service will help you start the formation process quickly and go through the process with you.
FAQs
Can a registered agent use a post office box or virtual address for the registered office address?
You can’t use a virtual address or a post office box for your business registration. The Oregon Secretary of State requires a physical street address. You can use a virtual address or PO box for mailing, shipping, and billing purposes.
Do I have to pay an Oregon registered agent to be my agent?
You aren’t obligated by state law to hire an outside registered agent or service. You can appoint yourself, a friend, a family member, or an employee for free to you or your company.
What do I do when my Oregon registered agent resigns?
Once you’ve received the statement of resignation from the Oregon registered agent, you must appoint a new registered agent or service to avoid losing good standing and possible involuntary dissolution.
How are my Oregon documents delivered to me?
Once a registered agent receives the official correspondence from the Oregon Secretary of State, they will scan the document and make it available on your online account immediately.
When should I use my registered agent address in Oregon?
You will use the registered agent address on your business registration forms. You can list it with the Oregon business address to keep yours out of public record. You don’t use a registered agent address for mailing, billing, or shipping purposes.
How do I remove myself as a registered agent in Oregon?
You will appoint a new agent, list it on the appropriate change of agent form (Corporations LLC LPs), and submit it to the Oregon Secretary of State Corporations Division.
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