Setting Up Your Oregon LLC

Home > Startups > Setting Up Your Oregon LLC

January 2nd, 2009

Since it’s the new year, I know a lot of you are thinking about finally getting that dream business on its feet. Many people I’ve talked to about their business are astounded when I tell them how easy it is to set up their own Limited Liability Company here in Oregon. There are many advantages to registering as an LLC compared to a simple sole proprietorship or general partnership, including liability protection and tax benefits. I am not a lawyer, and this cannot be considered legal advice, but here is how to set up your Oregon LLC:

1) Google your business name - just check out what comes up if you type your desired business name into a search engine. If someone is already using the same name, not only would it be confusing, but it’s likely to get you in a lawsuit.

2) Make sure your business name is not already trademarked - Visit the US Trademark Electronic Search System (or, TESS), click ‘New User Form Search’ and type in your desired business name. View the results. If any are in your line of business, it could be considered infringement, so pick a new one.

3) Search the Oregon Secretary of State database - If your name doesn’t come up, it could very likely be yours for keeps.

4) Go to the Oregon Secretary of State Central Business Registry - and click ‘Sign Up Now.’ Here, you will create the account for creating your LLC. The information in this account does NOT have to match anything for your LLC, it’s simply your personal account with the state.

5) Once you have set up your username and password, return to the Central Business Registry, and click to Login. Click ‘New CBR Filing,’ and start the wizard.

6) You’ll select your business category, and then you’ll be subjected to filling out a few forms. It’s mostly entering your name and address (and business partners’ names and addresses), and at the end they give you your Registry Number which you can use to get your Federal EIN (tax number).

Terminology:
‘Principal Place of Business’ - Your office or home, depending on where you’re working out of.

‘Registered Agent’ - Someone with a legal presence in the state who can be contacted regarding legal matters for the company, and served court subpoenas. This can be you if you live in the state.

‘Member’ - ‘Owner’ of the LLC, there can be multiple owners with various levels or percentages of ownership detailed in your LLC Operating Agreement.

‘Manager’ - The person (or people) who will be running the LLC.

‘Member-Manager’ - Someone who is both an owner and will be working in the LLC. Most LLC’s are Member-Managed

–
Tony Kau is co-founder of Portland web design and Internet marketing company Vanivo. For service inquiries, you can contact him directly at tony -at- vanivo.com.

Share and Enjoy: