Oregon Registered Agent
What is an Oregon registered agent?
An Oregon registered agent is a person or entity with a physical street address in the state where they accept legal documents on behalf of the businesses they represent. The registered agent must both accept these documents and forward them to the relevant business.
What Does an Oregon Registered Agent Do?
Registered agents in Oregon serve as an important bridge between businesses and any legal action they face. As the recipient and forwarder of legal documents, registered agents help ensure that notices, summons, and demands reach their intended audience. This keeps business owners safe from the consequences of failing to properly respond to the legal documents they receive.
Oregon Registered Agent Requirements
Oregon law requires businesses in the state, including LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, and law firms, to have a registered agent. Appointing an Oregon registered agent is one of the first steps of the business formation process.
In addition to receiving lawsuits, subpoenas, and other legal mail, Oregon registered agents receive correspondence from the state’s Corporation Division. If the business provides a different mailing address, state correspondence will go there instead.
Is a registered agent the same as a registered office?
No. A registered agent and a registered office are different parts of the same machine.
- Registered Agent: Individual or entity who accepts legal mail on behalf of a business.
- Registered Office: Physical address where the registered agent is present during business hours, at which legal mail is delivered.
Who can be a registered agent in Oregon?
Both entities and individuals can serve as registered agents in Oregon. To qualify for the role, they must:
- Have a physical street address in the state
- Agree to the appointment
When an individual serves as the registered agent for an Oregon business, they are typically a member or officer of the business. A business’s attorney or accountant can act as agent, too.
Can I be my own registered agent in Oregon?
You can absolutely be your own registered agent in Oregon. To perform this role, list your name and physical Oregon address (where you’re available during regular work hours to collect legal mail) on your business formation documents.
While you as an individual can serve as your business’s registered agent, your business cannot serve as a registered agent for itself.
Individual Registered Agent vs. Commercial Registered Agent
Whether you should hire a commercial registered agent or designate yourself as an individual agent depends on a few factors. Hiring a commercial registered agent service is an especially good idea if any of the following are true:
- You don’t live in Oregon.
If you don’t live in the state, you won’t be able to list yourself as your business’s registered agent. You’ll still have the option of designating a business partner or friend as your agent, as long as they agree to the appointment and reside in Oregon. - You don’t want your information made public.
The registered agent name and registered office address you provide to the state will go on the public record. This means anyone can look up that information. When you hire a registered agent service, you’re able to keep more of your information to yourself. - You don’t want to miss important documents.
In Oregon, registered agents are required to be at their registered office address during regular business hours. While these hours aren’t defined, they’re generally understood to mean Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. Of course, many small business owners aren’t continuously available at their offices, which could mean being away when legal documents come to the door.
How Do I Appoint a Registered Agent in Oregon?
To appoint a registered agent for an Oregon business, you’ll include their information on your formation documents. For Oregon LLCs, this is your Articles of Organization. For Oregon corporations, this is your Articles of Incorporation.
How Do I Change My Oregon Registered Agent?
Changing your Oregon registered agent involves submitting the Information Change form. It’s free to file, and you can do so online or by mail. If you file by mail, the form can take up to two weeks to process.
The Information Change form is not specific to updating your registered agent. It allows for updates to a variety of information, from business activity to the individual with direct knowledge of your business. You can skip these fields as needed.
If all you’re doing is updating your registered agent, include the following information:
- Business name
- New registered agent name
- New registered office address
- Signature of authorized signer, along with name and date
Your new registered agent needs to agree to their appointment before you officially change your agent with the state.
What Are the Benefits of Hiring Registered Agents Inc?
When you hire Registered Agents Inc, for $200 a year you get a dedicated registered agent at a local Oregon office. Here’s what else we do for you:
We scan your documents.
Once scanned, we add them to your secure online account right away.
We promptly notify you of document delivery.
When we’re your Oregon registered agent, you never have to wonder whether important mail has come your way.
We provide access to all Oregon state business forms.
After you hire us, you’ll find a library of Oregon forms within your online account, as well as forms for any other state your business operates in.
We keep your information private.
When you sign up with us, you don’t need to worry about your information being sold or your documents being leaked. We keep everything private and secure.
We file your annual report.
Our premier Registered Agent service includes annual report filing. This means you don’t have to keep track of that yearly deadline and additional paperwork—we do it for you, helping you stay compliant with the state. All you pay is the state fee.
Looking for wholesale registered agent services? We supply those too. Feel free to send us an inquiry today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an Oregon registered agent cost?
If you hire an Oregon registered agent service, you’ll typically pay $50 to $300 a year. Our premier registered agent service costs $200 and includes annual report filing.
Do I have to file an annual report for my Oregon LLC?
Yes. Oregon businesses need to file an annual report on the anniversary of their filing date. The filing fee for domestic LLCs and corporations is $100. You can file the report online or by mail, though the state encourages the former.
How do I register an out of state business in Oregon?
To register an out of state business in Oregon, you need to submit an Application for Authority to Transact Business form. You can file this by mail or online. To complete the form, list an Oregon registered agent and registered office. If your business was formed elsewhere and you have a registered agent there, this will not suffice. Businesses with alternative home states still need an agent with a physical Oregon address.
At Registered Agents Inc, we provide registered agent service in whichever state you need it. So whether you need service solely in Oregon, or your business has additional locations in California and Washington, we’re here for you.
