The short answer is no.  The state of Oregon does not legally require a lawyer to form an Oregon Limited Liability Company (LLC).

Our detailed LLC Information page may help you understand some of the implications of forming an Oregon LLC.  However, if there is anything about Forming a LLC in Oregon that you're not sure about you should seek the advice of a competent Oregon lawyer, an Oregon accountant, or an Oregon Business advisor before you form a LLC in Oregon. 

Once you have made the decision to Form a LLC in Oregon, an Oregon lawyer can file your documents and act as a middle man for a few hundred dollars an hour; or you can use an online service provider like All Business Documents to perform these services and save money that you can use in your new

You are not legally required to reserve a Company Name for a new Oregon LLC before you submit your application to Form a LLC in Oregon.

Whether or not you need to reserve a company name for your new Oregon LLC depends entirely on your business situation.  The Oregon Secretary of State uses names on a first come first served basis.  So if you think that someone may snatch the Company Name that you have in mind, you may want to reserve that Oregon Company Name.

If the Name you have chosen for your new Oregon LLC is already in use by a currently active Oregon Corporation or LLC, and you still want to use that LLC Name, then you will have to register a DBA Name with the Oregon Secretary of State.  "DBA" is an abbreviation for "Doing Business As."

In Oregon a DBA Name is called a Assumed Business Name.

1. Choose a name for your Oregon LLC
   
   Your Oregon LLC name can identify the type of products and services your business will provide; or it may be the name of the founder; or it can be a combination of the two or something else.
   
   In any case, the Oregon LLC name that you choose must be distinguishable from the name of any other registered Oregon LLC or other registered Oregon business entity, such as a Oregon Corporation or LLP.  The LLC name must also be different from any reserved names on record with the state of Oregon.  Your Oregon LLC name must not imply that it was formed for a purpose other than that stated in your Articles of Organization; and your Oregon LLC name must not be a name that is likely to mislead the public.
   
   The name of an Oregon LLC must include the word "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company" or an abbreviation of one of these words.
   
   It's important to choose a good name for your Oregon LLC because if you want to change it after you Form a LLC in Oregon you will have to file amended Articles of Organization with the Oregon Secretary of State (and pay a fee).
   We will:
   

   • Check to make sure that your Oregon LLC name is available
   • Make sure your Oregon LLC name conforms to state of Oregon regulations
   • Reserve your Oregon LLC name with the Oregon Secretary of State if necessary
2. Select an official address and a Registered Agent for your Oregon LLC
   
   Every Oregon LLC must have an address that is physically located in the state of Oregon.  This address is "registered" with the Oregon Secretary of State.  The Registered Address is where official and legal correspondence can be delivered.
   
   The individual or company that is registered with the state of Oregon to receive all correspondence on behalf of the Oregon LLC is called a "Registered Agent" or "Agent for Service of Process".  You may act as your own Registered Agent, however, many Oregon LLCs hire a Registered Agent because they don't have a physical address within the state of Oregon or to provide a distinct level of privacy.
   
   We offer Registered Agent Services for your Oregon LLC as part of your Oregon LLC formation package
3. Determine who will be Members and who will Manage your Oregon LLC
   
   The owners of an Oregon LLC are called Members - not Partners or Shareholders.  (a Oregon Limited Liability Company does not issue stock).  Members make all business decisions and realize the financial benefits generated by the Oregon LLC.  Division of ownership and distribution of profits are decided by private agreement among the Members.  Each Oregon LLC must have at least one Member.  Members need not live in the state of Oregon or be citizens of the United States.
   
   Managers are responsible for the day to day operation of the Oregon LLC.  Members elect or appoint Managers and have the power to remove them.  Managers may or may not be Members of the Oregon LLC.  Management for your Oregon LLC may be defined in your Articles of Organization or, more commonly, in an Operating Agreement.
4. Determine how you want your Oregon LLC to be taxed
   
   The IRS does not recognize a Limited Liability Company as a classification for federal tax purposes.  Oregon LLC Members can elect for the IRS to tax the LLC as a sole proprietorship, partnership, C Corporation, or S Corporation.  This decision may be made after the Oregon LLC is created.  If a single Member Oregon LLC does not declare a tax classification it is taxed the same as a sole proprietorship.  A multiple Member Oregon LLC that does not declare a tax classification is taxed as a general partnership.  More specific federal LLC tax information can be found at the IRS web site.
   
   If you choose to be taxed as an S Corporation, we can prepare the S Corporation election form for your Oregon LLC and include it with your LLC formation documents.
5. File Articles of Organization with the Oregon Secretary of State
   
   An Oregon Limited Liability Company is a type of business that is authorized by the state of Oregon - not by the federal government.  In order to form a LLC in Oregon you must file Articles of Organization with the Oregon Secretary of State. The Articles of Organization must include certain specific information about your Oregon LLC.  If the Articles do not conform exactly to state of Oregon requirements they will be rejected.  You may subsequently amend the Articles of Organization for your Oregon LLC but you will have to pay a fee to the state of Oregon in order to make the changes official.
   
   We can prepare and file your Articles of Organization with the Oregon Secretary of State.  We've been doing it for over 20 years.
6. Get a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) for your Oregon LLC
   
   A Federal Employer Identification Number, also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is used by the IRS to identify a business entity.  An FEIN is like a Social Security Number for your Oregon LLC.  All Oregon LLCs electing to be taxed as a C-Corporation or S-Corporation are required to have a FEIN.
   
   If you do not elect to have your Oregon LLC taxed as a Corporation you may still need to get a FEIN if it is composed of multiple members or if you plan to have employees.
   
   If you plan to form a Single Member Oregon LLC you may not need a separate FEIN for the LLC if you have no employees.  The sole Member of a Single Member Oregon LLC may be able to use his or her Social Security Number instead of applying for an FEIN.  You may request a FEIN for your Oregon LLC for banking or state tax purposes, but an FEIN may not be required for federal tax purposes depending on your business circumstances.
   
   We can get a FEIN for your Oregon LLC as soon as it is approved by the Oregon Secretary of State.

1. Conduct an Organizational Meeting and adopt an Operating Agreement
   
   An Operating Agreement defines the rules by which your Oregon LLC will operate.  It is the core document that is referred to when issues concerning your LLC need to be resolved.  Operating Agreements may include requirements for almost anything that involves the management and operation of your Oregon LLC.  By having an Operating Agreement all Members will be provided with a clear set of rules they have agreed upon thus reducing the likelihood of disagreement in the future.
   
   Items commonly included in an Operating Agreement for an Oregon LLC:
   
   
   • Rights and duties of Members
   • Member contributions
   • Record keeping and reporting requirements
   • Distribution of profits
   • Allocation of losses

   • Management duties
   • Meeting requirements
   • Voting requirements
   • Admission and termination of Members
   • Dissolution procedures
   
   Although an Operating Agreement is not required in the state of Oregon, if you plan to form a multiple Member Oregon LLC it is highly advisable to have one.  Having an Operating Agreement will save you a lot of time and money should conflict arise down the line.  As your Oregon LLC grows over time, you may amend your Operating Agreement as necessary.
   
   When your Oregon LLC has an Operating Agreement your business will be governed by your own rules and not some canned business rules created by the state of Oregon.
   
   We can create a customized Operating Agreement for your new Oregon LLC and include it with your final Document package
2. Open a Business Bank Account in Oregon
   
   It's very important that you have a separate business bank account for your Oregon LLC.  Mixing personal and business funds may get you in a lot of trouble with the tax man down the line.  It's a good idea to contact the bank before you open a business bank account for your Oregon Limited Liability Company.  Specific requirements vary from bank to bank. 
   
   In most cases you will need a FEIN, a copy of your Oregon LLC Articles of Organization, and a resolution identifying authorized signers if those names are not listed in the Articles.
   
   
3. Obtain Business Licenses from the cities and counties in which you plan to do business
   
   Note that forming an Oregon LLC doesn't take the place of obtaining a business license, tax registration certificate, or other required business permits.  An Oregon LLC merely creates an ownership structure that limits the owner's personal liability.  You may still need to take care of getting set up to do business with your local government.
   
   Depending on the nature of the business and the location of your Oregon LLC you may need to get one or more city business licenses or permits.  The business licenses or permits that are required for your Oregon LLC vary depending on your business activities and the specific locations within the state of Oregon in which you want to conduct business.
   
   If your Oregon LLC will be selling products in Oregon you may be required to obtain a Reseller's Permit from the appropriate Oregon state agency.  If your Oregon LLC will be selling products in Oregon you will also be responsible for all applicable local and state of Oregon sales taxes if there are any.
   
   We can research and prepare the necessary forms for your required business licenses and permits and include them in your Oregon LLC package.
4. File the required Oregon LLC reports
   
   Each Oregon LLC must file an Annual Report with the Oregon Secretary of State.
   
   The Oregon Annual Report includes basic information about your Oregon LLC.  Failure to submit a properly completed Oregon Annual Report to the Oregon Secretary of State on or before the due date may subject the Oregon LLC to being administratively dissolved in the state of Oregon or having its authority to transact business in the state of Oregon revoked by the Oregon Secretary of State.  Penalties may accrue if you fail to file any Oregon LLC Annual Report to the Oregon Secretary of State by the due date.
   
   
5. Keep proper records of your Oregon LLC on file
   
   Keep the following records on file and available at the principal business office of your Oregon LLC:
   
   • Names and addresses of all Members and Managers of the Oregon LLC
   • Articles of Organization for the Oregon LLC and any Amendments to them
   • Copies of all tax returns and reports for the Oregon LLC for the last 3 years
   • If the Oregon LLC has an Operating Agreement, a copy of the Operating Agreement and any Amendments
   • Copies of any LLC Resolutions which have been adopted by the Oregon LLC

In order to Form a LLC in Oregon you'll need the following information about your new Company:

• The name of your new Oregon LLC along with your second choice of a name in case the name that you want is not available
  
• Physical address of the LLC office in Oregon (not a PO Box)
  
• Name and address of your Oregon Registered Agent (not a PO Box)
  
• Who is going to manage the day to day operation of your Oregon LLC
• When your Oregon LLC will start and when it will cease to exist (normally the LLC starts on the date the application is filed and will exist perpetually)

You do not have to name the Members of an Oregon LLC in the Articles of Organization.  While you are not required to name the Members of a new Oregon LLC you still may include Member information with your initial Oregon LLC filing.

Note that ALL the information that you provide when you Form a LLC in Oregon becomes part of the public record.  The less information that you make public the better.  Our data entry forms include the absolute minimum amount of information that is required in order to Form a Limited Liability Company in Oregon.

Processing times for new Oregon LLC applications vary depending on the work load of the Secretary of State's staff.  We've found that normal processing of new Oregon takes the state around 2-3 business days.  Add 2-3 days for the time period for shipping the final documents by mail.  Choosing our Express Mail option can shave a couple of days off the total processing time for your Oregon LLC. We are dependent on, and have no control over, the staff and systems of the Oregon Secretary of State.

In our experience 2-3 business days is the time it usually takes the Oregon Secretary of State to process a new Oregon LLC application. We get your Oregon LLC application to the OR Secretary of State ASAP. Once it is at the state we have no control over the new Oregon LLC application process.

The Oregon Secretary of State does not offer expedited filing options for new Oregon LLC filings.

The state of Oregon charges $115.00 to form a new LLC.  This is the cost of filing and getting a Certified Copy of your Articles of Organization from the OR Secretary of State.  If you choose All Business Documents to help you form your LLC in Oregon, our processing fees are $125.00.  We start processing your new Oregon LLC order as soon as we get it.

Total cost includes:

• Name Check and Reservation
• Prepare Articles of Organization
• File Articles of Organization with the Oregon Secretary of State
• Certified Copies of Articles
• Oregon LLC Checklist
• Priority Mail Delivery
• Unlimited Customer Support

You want to do business in the state of Oregon but are registered as a Domestic LLC in another state.  In order to legally conduct business in the state of Oregon you must register with the Oregon as an Oregon Foreign LLC.  The process of registering as a Foreign LLC in the state of Oregon is called Oregon LLC Foreign Qualification. 

The process of Oregon LLC Foreign Qualification is similar to the process of forming a Domestic LLC in the state of Oregon.  Your original formation documents (usually called Articles of Organization) and LLC Operating Agreement apply to your Oregon Foreign LLC.  The Members and Managers of your Domestic LLC have the same roles in the Oregon Foreign LLC.