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ZenBusiness |
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Northwest Registered Agent |
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Harbor Compliance |
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Visit Harbor Compliance |
Entrepreneurship is an exciting—but often intimidating—path to working for yourself. If you’ve been thinking about launching a business in Oregon, you may be worried that the steps to make everything legal will be too overwhelming and confusing. But transitioning from concept to reality isn’t as complicated as you might think.
No matter whether you’re thinking about offering a service or storefront, you can simply follow these steps to get your business off the ground in the Beaver State. From filing a name and Articles of Organization to getting a Federal Tax ID and designating a registered agent, you’ll be able to work your way through these tasks to form a limited liability company (LLC) in no time.
What is an Oregon registered agent?
Working your way through these forms, you’ll find that several provide a space for you to fill in your chosen registered agent. This business entity or individual must have agreed that they’ll be tasked with receiving important paperwork for your LLC during regular business hours.
Read more: What is a registered agent?
How does an owner select a registered agent in Oregon?
Take some time to look at the rates, services, and reviews from two or three commercial registered agents in Oregon. Then choose one, sign up as a client, and provide that agent’s information where required on forms for the Secretary of State.
Who can be a registered agent in Oregon?
Most of the rules regarding registered agents are the same throughout the United States. They include:
- Any person serving as a registered agent must be at least 18 years of age.
- Regardless of whether the registered agent is an individual or a business entity, they must have a street address in Oregon. Although no post office boxes are allowed, the street address can be a business, office, or home.
- The registered agent must be available to receive important paperwork Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Can I be my own registered agent in Oregon?
Yes, you have the option to serve as your own registered agent in Oregon.
Why would a company choose to work with a registered agent service?
Serving as your own registered agent must seem like a good way to save money, but before you jump on the DIY bandwagon, first consider some of the benefits to paying a commercial registered agent:
- Local options. If you don’t live in Oregon and/or haven’t set up an office or other business yet, you can’t fulfill the requirements to serve as your limited liability company’s registered agent. Thankfully, there are countless commercial registered agents throughout the state that can provide you with a street address to have paperwork delivered.
- Availability. Are you available to sit around and wait for important documents to be delivered at any moment during regular business hours? Probably not. Start-ups usually require a major time commitment from the business owner. You may need to train new employees, select vendors, and/or meet with contractors or investors. By choosing a commercial registered agent, you’ll free up your weekdays to handle your other important business.
- Privacy. Not everyone is aware that sometimes important paperwork is hand-delivered by uniformed law enforcement. And while not every document will be a lawsuit, it can still be embarrassing to have your neighbors, customers or employees witness police coming to your door. If you choose a commercial registered agent, the paperwork will be delivered to a more private location—away from curious witnesses.
- Experience. Most of the paperwork you’re filing is pretty simple but are you familiar with Oregon’s compliance regulations? What about the state and federal deadlines you’ll need to meet to keep your LLC up to date? Unless this is your specialty, you’re probably not going to know as much about these important matters as a commercial registered agent.
- Time savings. So, you’ve got the experience and/or knowledge to handle your own paperwork. Do you really want that commitment on your plate? Most commercial registered agents charge an annual fee that’s less than the cost of taking your family out to dinner at a restaurant. It might just be worth outsourcing the task. Consider it an investment to free up your valuable time.
Read more: Best Registered Agent Services
How much does a registered agent service cost in Oregon?
Oregon’s commercial registered agents tend to charge under $100 for one year of services. You’ll find most fees range from $35 to $99.
List of Oregon registered agent services
Were you persuaded to use a commercial registered agent instead of serving as your own? Here are a few in Oregon worth considering:
- ZenBusiness is fairly new to the market, but it’s grown a strong following. Business owners love the affordable rates for a registered agent service, which are as low as $99 per year. The company also offers worry-free compliance to help business owners file the necessary reports on time.
- Northwest Registered Agent is one of the most recognized names in the registered agent business. The company has decades of experience and local offices scattered across the U.S. to serve small businesses like yours. The cost for a registered agent service is comparable to others. Business owners can also take advantage of additional services like report filing.
- Harbor Compliance is a great fit for organizations that register in multiple states and for those who don’t want to pay excessive service fees. With their network and electronic document delivery, they help ensure your business never misses a legal notification.
Oregon registered agent FAQs
Do I really need a registered agent in Oregon?
Yes. Oregon, like other states, requires you to list a registered agent on some of the documents you’ll be filing to launch your limited liability company.
Can a company change its registered agent?
If you need to change your registered agent at any time, just file an Information Change Form with the Oregon Secretary of State. There’s no fee, whether you submit the form by fax, mail, or online.
The term registered agent is sometimes called an agent for service of process.
What’s a commercial registered agent?
As you work your way through forms, you’ll see a few places you’ll need to indicate if your registered agent is commercial or noncommercial. If you’re representing yourself, choose noncommercial. If you’re paying a professional (an individual or business entity), choose commercial.