If you want to know how to start an LLC in Oregon, start with the price: the minimum is $100. That’s the state filing fee for the Articles of Organization, according to the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division (Business Registry) fee schedule. You can file it yourself on the state’s website. A formation service is optional, and it only adds a fee on top of the state’s.
This guide walks you through the steps in order, shows what you’ll pay, and points out which extras you can skip.
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Last updated: October 11, 2026
Key Takeaways
- The Oregon state fee to form an LLC is $100, paid to the Corporation Division (Business Registry).
- An EIN from the IRS is free. Never pay a third party for one.
- Oregon LLCs file an annual report every year, and the required state fee is $100.
- A formation service is optional. It costs extra on top of the state fee.
How to Start an LLC in Oregon: Costs at a Glance
“Free” in “incorporate for free” means no middleman fee. The state fee is unavoidable, and it goes to Oregon, not to a company.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (formation) | $100 | Paid to the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division (Business Registry) |
| Annual report | $100 | Due every year, per the Corporation Division |
| EIN (federal tax ID) | $0 | Free from the IRS at irs.gov |
| Operating agreement | $0 if you write it yourself | Not filed with the state |
Sources: Oregon Secretary of State fee schedule; Oregon Secretary of State annual report page; IRS. All figures were current as of October 11, 2026.
Processing times, name-reservation options and expedited handling change often. Check the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division (Business Registry) website before you file.
Step-by-Step: How to Start an LLC in Oregon
1. Choose and Check Your Business Name
Your LLC name must be distinguishable from other businesses already registered in Oregon. Start with the business name search on the Oregon Secretary of State’s Business Registry site. Search your exact name and close variations.
Read the Registry’s naming rules too. They cover what the name must include, such as an “LLC” designation, and which words are restricted. Read those rules on the Corporation Division’s site rather than relying on a summary.
Before you commit, check that a matching web domain and social handles are available. A state registration doesn’t guarantee you can use a name everywhere.
2. Appoint a Registered Agent
A registered agent is the person or company that receives legal papers and official state mail for your LLC. You generally have three options:
- Yourself, if you meet the state’s requirements and are reliably available to receive documents.
- Someone you trust, such as a business partner, who meets the same requirements.
- A registered agent service, a company that does this for a yearly fee.
Check the Oregon Secretary of State’s website for the exact requirements, including address rules, before you list anyone. Whoever you choose will be named on your Articles of Organization.
3. File the Articles of Organization
The Articles of Organization is the document that legally creates your LLC. You file it with the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division (Business Registry). The fee is $100, per the state’s fee schedule.
Expect to provide:
- Your LLC’s name
- Your registered agent’s name and address
- Your business’s address information
- Details about who organizes the LLC
The exact fields and any optional items are on the state’s current form. Use the Secretary of State’s Business Registry site, not a third-party copy of the form. Filing directly with the state is how you avoid a middleman fee.
Here’s an example. Say you’re forming a one-person LLC for a freelance design business. You search the name on the Business Registry, name yourself as registered agent, file the Articles and pay the $100 state fee. Your out-of-pocket cost to create the LLC is $100.
4. Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is an internal document that sets out how your LLC runs: who owns what, who makes decisions and how profits are split. A member is an owner of the LLC. If the members run the business day to day, it’s “member-managed.” If they appoint someone else to run it, it’s “manager-managed.”
Even a one-person LLC benefits from a written agreement. Oregon law (ORS 63.057) doesn’t require one and allows an agreement to be written or oral, and your LLC becomes a separate legal entity when you file the Articles of Organization, not when you adopt an agreement; a written agreement simply helps show you treat the LLC as separate from yourself. It isn’t a state filing, so there’s no state fee.
Check the relevant Oregon statutes to confirm how they apply to your situation. If you have co-owners, consider having an attorney review it. The SBA’s guides on choosing a business structure are a free starting point too.
5. Get a Free EIN From the IRS
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your LLC’s federal tax ID. The IRS says you can get one directly from the agency in minutes for free, and you never have to pay a fee for an EIN.
Apply only at IRS.gov. Sites that charge for EIN applications are third parties, and you don’t need them.
You’ll typically need your LLC’s formation details and a responsible party’s information, so apply after your Articles are filed. You’ll generally need an EIN to open a business bank account and to hire employees. If you’re deciding how your LLC is taxed, read our breakdown of LLC vs. S corp differences.
6. Open a Business Bank Account
Keep business money separate from personal money. Bring your EIN, your filed Articles of Organization and your operating agreement to the bank. Mixing funds can weaken the legal separation between you and your LLC.
Online business banking is one option. Novo is an online business checking provider aimed at small businesses and freelancers. Compare its features and fees with a local bank or credit union, and check current terms on the provider’s own site.
7. File Your Annual Report on Time
Oregon LLCs file an annual report every year. According to the Oregon Secretary of State, the required state fee is $100.
Check the Business Registry for your LLC’s specific due date and any late fees. Then put a recurring reminder in your calendar.
How to Start an LLC in Oregon Yourself vs. With a Formation Service
Here’s the first-year formation cost both ways:
| Route | State fee | Service fee | First-year formation total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do it yourself | $100 | $0 | $100 |
| With a formation service | $100 | Varies by provider and package | $100 + the service’s fee |
The annual report is $100 either way, so it doesn’t change the comparison.
A formation service doesn’t replace the state fee. It adds its own charge on top. Services like Bizee typically prepare and submit your filing for you. Many also offer extras such as registered agent service, compliance reminders or document templates. Check the provider’s website for current pricing and what each package includes. You can read more in our look at incorporating with Bizee.
Our recommendations don’t change the state’s costs or requirements.
A service can genuinely help in a few cases:
- You want a registered agent who isn’t you. If you don’t have a reliable address to use, a service can fill that role.
- You want reminders. Missing the annual report is an avoidable mistake.
- You’d rather hand off the paperwork. If you’re short on time, paying someone to prepare the filing is a reasonable choice.
You can skip a service for the filing itself. Filing directly with the state is how you pay only the $100.
For a side-by-side look, see our guide to comparing LLC formation services. To see how Oregon stacks up, check LLC filing fees by state.
Keeping Your Oregon LLC in Good Standing
Forming the LLC is the one-time part. Staying in good standing is the ongoing part, and in Oregon it centers on the annual report:
- Fee: $100, according to the Oregon Secretary of State.
- Frequency: every year.
- Deadline and late fees: check the Corporation Division (Business Registry) website for your LLC’s due date and the current late-fee rules.
Keep your registered agent information current too. If your agent changes or your address moves, update the state’s records through the Business Registry so official notices reach you.
Missing state filings can put your LLC’s active status at risk. Treat the annual report like any other bill.
For more pitfalls to dodge, read our list of common incorporation mistakes.
Oregon LLC FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Oregon?
The state filing fee for the Articles of Organization is $100, according to the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division (Business Registry). If you file yourself and get a free EIN from the IRS, that’s the only required formation cost. A formation service would add its own fee.
Do I need to pay for an EIN?
No. The IRS says you can get an EIN directly from the agency for free and never have to pay a fee. Apply at IRS.gov.
Is there an annual fee for an Oregon LLC?
Yes. The Oregon Secretary of State says the required state fee for an Oregon LLC annual report is $100, due every year. Check the Business Registry for your specific due date.
Do I have to use a formation service?
No. You can file the Articles of Organization directly with the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division (Business Registry). A service is optional and costs extra on top of the state fee.
How long does it take to get approved?
Processing times change. Check the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division (Business Registry) website for current processing times before you file.
Your Next Step
Search your name on the Oregon Business Registry today, then work through the steps above in order. To see the whole process laid out for any state, open our 7-step incorporation overview and keep it beside you as a checklist.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Business formation rules, fees, and deadlines vary by state and change often. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional before making decisions about your business.
