In Oregon, as in most states, the primary step in creating a limited liability company (LLC) is to file articles of organization with the state.This ...
Cost to Start an LLC in Oregon
Written by: Coralee Bechteler
Coralee is a business writer with experience in administrative services, education, and software testing.
Edited by: David Lepeska
David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.
Published on August 7, 2022
Updated on October 2, 2023

If you’re thinking of starting a limited liability company (LLC) in Oregon, you’ll want to know in advance how much it’s going to cost. LLC formation fees vary by state, so it’s wise to do a bit of research and prepare yourself, and your new business, for the necessary steps.
LLC Costs in Oregon
Requirement | Cost/Fee |
---|---|
Articles of Organization | $100 |
Certified Copy – Articles of Organization | $10 |
Certified Copy – Certificate of Existence | $10 |
Name Reservation | $100 |
Registered Agent Service | $50 – $300 |
Operating Agreement | $0 – $2500 |
Annual Report | $100 |
Business Licenses and Renewals | varies – check with state and local government |
Oregon Articles of Organization Cost
In Oregon, you form an LLC by filing Oregon articles of organization, which requires a $100 fee. It’s a simple process you can do online by logging into your Secure Access System account provided by the Secretary of State.
If you need a certified copy of the Articles of Organization, there is a $10 fee. If you need a Certificate of Existence, there is a $10 fee. If you’d like the state to hold your LLC name before you register, you can fill out this form here for $100 to reserve it for 120 days.
Completed paper forms and their accompanying fee should be sent to the address below.
Oregon Secretary of State
Corporation Division
255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310-1327
Oregon Registered Agent Cost
In Oregon, you are required to have an Oregon registered agent, also known as an agent of service in process. A registered agent is a person or business authorized to accept and respond to legal, tax, and financial documents on behalf of your business.
In Oregon, you can be your own registered agent, or it can be another member of the LLC. An individual who is not a member or a professional agency can also serve as the registered agent for your LLC.
Costs for a registered agent service range from $50 a year up to $300 or more. Several online firms, such as ZenBusiness and Northwest Registered Agent, provide quality services at reasonable rates.
Oregon Business Licenses and Permits Cost
Starting an LLC in Oregon requires obtaining the required licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments. Fees for these vary, but most costs are minimal.
Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as, health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific permits.
You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments to learn more.
Business license fees depend on the type of business and the agency issuing the license or permit. On average, business licenses cost between $100 and $300+, plus renewal fees.
You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package ($149 + state fees). They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.
Oregon Operating Agreement Cost
In Oregon, your LLC is not required to have an operating agreement in place. But it’s highly recommended, as an effective operating agreement can help avoid disputes and lawsuits that could threaten the stability of your LLC.
An LLC operating agreement is an important legal document that details who owns the business and provides essential information pertaining to member duties. An LLC operating agreement establishes the financial relationship between members and the basics of the working relationships between those members and the managers who oversee daily operations.
The operating agreement is not filed with the state, but instead remains private. It’s advisable to hire an attorney to ensure your operating agreement is thorough and legally binding.
Creating an operating agreement is free if you just draw it up yourself (here you can find free Oregon LLC Operating Agreement template). Alternatively, you can pay around $100 for guidance from an online business advisory.
This is an extremely important document, so it’s recommended that you use the services of a specialist or legal firm. If you choose to hire an attorney, the price will be around $500 for a single-member LLC and $2,500 for a multi-member LLC.
Oregon LLC Formation Service Cost (Optional)
Forming an LLC in Oregon tends to involve a lot of red tape and paperwork, so for many entrepreneurs just starting out it’s a good idea to hire an experienced service provider.
Some of the best services for forming an LLC in Oregon are ZenBusiness and Northwest Registered Agent. LLC Formation service will take care of all the key steps, keeping you updated while allowing you to focus on launching and growing your business.
The cost of professional services depends on your requirements and LLC formation plan. Most LLC service providers offer different plans/packages and there are many LLC services that offer free LLC formation.
Ongoing Oregon LLC Costs
Every state has a different fee structure and timelines for LLC documents and licenses. It’s important to stay up-to-date or your business could face significant penalties. The fees and timelines for Oregon are detailed below.
Annual Fees
You’ll need to file an Oregon LLC annual report with your state to keep your LLC in good standing. The fee is $100, and you can file online by visiting Oregon’s Business Registry page.
Business License Renewal Fees
Some business licenses and permits must be renewed periodically, which may have a small associated fee. For example, food safety licenses in Oregon typically require annual renewals, but alcohol service permits only need to be renewed every five years for $28.65.
It’s best to create calendar reminders to monitor when expirations are coming up to ensure you have time to apply for renewal and run your business without interruption.
Cost to Start an LLC in Oregon
- LLC Costs in Oregon
- Oregon Articles of Organization Cost
- Oregon Registered Agent Cost
- Oregon Business Licenses and Permits Cost
- Oregon Operating Agreement Cost
- Oregon LLC Formation Service Cost (Optional)
- Ongoing Oregon LLC Costs
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