Business Registration in Oregon
To find articles of incorporation in Oregon, you can visit the Oregon Secretary of State website. Select the “Business” tab and scroll down to “Forms”.
Obtaining Certified Copies and EIN
- Articles of Incorporation/Organization: A certified copy can be ordered by fax, mail or in person, but faxing is recommended.
- Oregon Unemployment ID: You can get your ID by bringing a photo ID to a WorkSource Oregon center. Ask a Department representative.
- Federal EIN: Call the IRS Business & Specialty Tax Line at 800-829-4933 to search for your EIN. Hours are 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Oregon Business Registration Cost: To file Articles of Incorporation, Oregon charges a $100 filing fee. Corporations must also file an annual report with a $100 fee.
- Checking Business Status: Contact your state’s Department of State to find old business information. Or search the National Association of Secretaries of State website.
- Registering Business Name: Register your DBA with the Secretary of State.
Forming Corporations and LLCs
- Nonprofit Corporation Types: Oregon recognizes three nonprofit corporation types. Determine which one fits before filing.
- Registered Agent: Your articles of incorporation must name the registered agent. This individual or company must provide consent to serve.
- LLC Documentation: In Oregon, creating an LLC starts with filing articles of organization. An LLC offers liability protection and pass-through taxation.
- Corporate Recordkeeping: Keep corporation records in a book including significant papers.
- Local Business Registration: Registering your business in Portland or Multnomah County is required.
- Corporation Benefits: Forming a corporation in Oregon protects assets and adds legitimacy. First steps include starting a corporation to help protect personal assets.
- Business Filings: To find articles of incorporation, first search online databases.
Administrative Details
- Corporate Documents Cost: The cost for a certified copy of articles of incorporation or articles of organization from the Oregon Secretary of State is $15. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee.
- Opening a Bank Account: To open a bank account, you’ll need to provide a copy of the articles of incorporation, valid ID, and a resolution authorizing opening the account.
- Nonprofit Formation: You can form an Oregon nonprofit corporation by filing the appropriate nonprofit articles of incorporation forms. Conduct a name availability check before filing to avoid conflicts.
- Banking and Taxes: The annual franchise tax for an Oregon corporation is $150. To obtain an employer identification number, submit an application to the IRS.
- Lost Articles: To replace lost articles of incorporation, you likely need to file paperwork and pay fees.
International Aspect
- Copying Documents in Ontario: In Ontario, you can obtain a copy of your articles of incorporation by submitting a manual request at the Provincial Office in Toronto. While articles of incorporation do not expire, you must renew your business registration every 5 years.