Oregon Registered Agent

The definition of an agent in Oregon is a person or entity with a physical street address in the state at which they can fulfill their only responsibility: accepting legal documents on behalf of the businesses for whom they serve as agent. The registered agent must both accept these documents and forward them to the relevant business.

Why Do Oregon Registered Agents Matter?

Registered agents in Oregon serve as a bridge between businesses and any legal action they face. As the recipient and forwarder of important legal documents, registered agents help ensure that notices, summons, and demands reach their intended audience. This keeps you, as a business owner, safe from the consequences of failing to properly respond to the legal documents you receive.

Does Oregon Require a Registered Agent?

Oregon law requires businesses in the state, including LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, and law firms, to have a registered agent.

In addition to receiving lawsuits, subpoenas, and other legal mail, Oregon registered agents are sent state correspondence from the 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 at which legal mail is delivered.

This distinction is essential to understand. While you can serve as your own agent and list your business address as the registered office, you cannot list your business as the agent, regardless of its address.

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:

1. Have a physical street address in the state
2. 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. If you’d like to designate a business as your agent, you’ll need to hire an outside party.

Should I Use an Individual Registered Agent or a Commercial Agent?

Whether you should hire a commercial registered agent for your Oregon business, or designate an individual, depends on your specific situation. Hiring a 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.)

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 our service includes:

• 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 sign up, you’ll find these 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 remind you about annual reports. When your business owes Oregon an annual report, we’ll remind you of its approaching deadline every year, helping you stay compliant with the state.

Looking for wholesale registered agent services? We supply those too. Feel free to send us an inquiry today.

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 unless they also need to be updated.

If all you’re doing is updating your registered agent, include the following information:

• Your business name
• New registered agent name
• New registered office address
• Signature of authorized signer, along with name and date

Please note: your new registered agent needs to agree to their appointment before you officially change your agent with the state.

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.

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.

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.