Oregon Business Entity Search 2026

Oregon Business Entity Search 2026

Oregon business entity search is free, instant, and run by the Oregon Secretary of State. Go to sos.oregon.gov and look up any Oregon business entity in seconds. No account, no fee, and no login.

This guide covers how to search, what every result means, and what to do next. Whether you need to verify a company, check a business name, or research a partner, this is your starting point.

Quick Start

Go straight to the official portal. No setup needed.

• Main search: sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/find.aspx, the only official Secretary of State business registry
• Oregon SOS business home: sos.oregon.gov/business, forms, fees, and filing guides
• Federal trademark check: tmsearch.uspto.gov, run this after your state name check
• Free federal EIN: irs.gov/ein, required before opening a business bank account

Search by business name or registry number. Both options are on the same search page. Results load instantly online.

The Oregon Business Registry is free to search. It is not a third-party tool and it charges nothing for a basic business search.

How to Search Oregon Business Entity: Step-by-Step Guide

The entire process takes under two minutes. Follow each step in order.

Step 1: Go to the Official Oregon SOS Portal

• Open sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/find.aspx
• This is the only correct starting point for your entity search
• Third-party sites charge for what is free here
• Bookmark this URL to save time on future searches

Step 2: Enter a Business Name or Registry Number

• Type the business name into the search box, full or partial name both work
• Or enter the business registry number if you already have it, this returns one exact match
• The system ignores punctuation and spacing automatically
• Do not add LLC, Inc, or Corp to your search term, the system handles designators on its own

Step 3: Use Business Name Search for Advanced Filters

• Click “Business Name Search” to unlock filter options
• Use the radio buttons to set your match parameters:
• Starts With: finds names beginning with your term
• Contains: finds names with your term anywhere in the name, best for availability checks
• Exact: finds only the precise name entered
• Set the status filter to Active when checking name availability

Always use Contains mode when running a name availability check. Starts With misses variations that could still block your filing.

Step 4: Review Your Search Results

• A results list loads with every matching entity
• Each row shows the business name, entity type, and current status
• Active entries in your results block your business name, even if the name looks slightly different
• Click any entity name to open the full record

Step 5: Open the Full Entity Record

• The details page shows the full profile
• Parties: shows the registered agent name and address
• Name History: shows any previous names the entity used
• Summary History: shows the full filing record with dates
• PDF links: download any specific filing directly from the first column

Use this record to verify a company, check compliance, or confirm a registered agent.

How to Read Your Search Results

Your results load as a simple table, one row per match. Here is what each column actually means and why it matters.

Click any entity name to open the full profile. Four sections inside give you the deeper picture:

• Parties: shows who the registered agent is and where they can be reached
• Name History: every name this entity has ever used, in order
• Summary History: a full timeline of every action taken, with dates
• PDF column: click any row in Summary History to pull the actual document

No account needed. No cost. Every section is open to the public.

What Is the Oregon Business Entity Search Tool?

The Oregon Secretary of State maintains the official state business registry at sos.oregon.gov. The Corporation Division runs it and keeps records for every entity registered in the state of Oregon.

This tool lets you search active business registration records for LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, limited partnerships, and foreign entities. It is a free public service with no login required. Oregon has no sales tax, which makes it a popular state for business formation. Every company that wants to legally operate here must register first.

The registry number assigned at registration is a 7 to 8 digit numeric ID. Each entity gets one unique number that stays with it permanently. Use it for precise lookups instead of a name search.

Important: Assumed Business Names (ABNs), also called DBAs, live in a separate registry. They do not appear in the main entity search. You need to search them separately at the same portal.

The Secretary of State Corporation Division address is 255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151, Salem, OR 97310. Phone: 503-986-2200.

Types of Entities Registered in Oregon

Oregon recognizes several company structures. Knowing which one you are looking at helps you search smarter and read results correctly.

The abbreviation in each row tells you exactly what you are dealing with. A DLLC is different from an FBC. Knowing the difference saves you from drawing the wrong conclusions.

One thing most people miss: Assumed Names live in a completely separate section of the state database. A standard name search will not catch ABN conflicts automatically. Always check both sections before committing to a name.

Entity Status Explained

Status is the most important column in your results. It tells you whether a company is real, current, and operating right now. Getting it wrong can mean a rejected name or a wasted filing fee.

The most common mistake is assuming an inactive name is up for grabs. It is not always true. An inactive company missed a payment. It still holds its name in most cases. Only a dissolved entity formally gives the name back.

A clean search with no active conflicts is a good signal. It is not a guarantee. The state makes the final call when your formation paperwork lands on their desk.

Unsure about a specific status? Call 503-986-2200. The contact center runs Monday through Thursday, 8am to 4:30pm, and Friday from 8am to 12pm.

Business Name Search and Name Availability in Oregon

Picking the right name is one thing. Confirming it is actually free to use is another. Do not skip this step.

Oregon law requires every entity name to be distinguishable upon the records from all other active names on file. This comes from Section 63.094 of the Oregon LLC Act. It has one clear rule: if your chosen name is too close to an existing one, your application gets rejected.

What does not create a distinguishable name:

• Changing punctuation or spacing
• Swapping uppercase for lowercase
• Switching LLC to Inc or Corp
• Adding or removing a comma

What actually works:

• Using a completely different second word
• Adding a genuine geographic identifier
• Changing the core concept of the name entirely

Run your name availability check using the Contains filter. It catches the widest range of potential conflicts. A search showing no active matches is a good start. It is not a green light. The state makes its own determination when you submit.

Name reservation costs $100 and holds your chosen name for 120 days. It is optional, not required. If your name gets rejected and you refile within 45 days, you will not pay the state fee again.

One thing worth knowing: Assumed Names cannot be reserved at all. If you want a trade name, you file for it directly. No holding period is available.

Always run a second check at tmsearch.uspto.gov after confirming state availability. A name clear in Oregon can still carry a federal trademark conflict that blocks national use.

How to Find Registered Agent Information

Every entity operating in Oregon must list a registered agent. This is the person or company that receives legal documents on the entity’s behalf.

Here is where to find it:

• Open any entity profile from your search results
• Look for the Parties section inside the full profile
• The agent name and their physical Oregon address both appear here
• If the agent has resigned, the Secretary of State accepts legal service as a fallback

The public profile shows the agent name and address. It does not show personal home addresses of members or owners. Officer names are sometimes visible depending on the entity type and what was filed publicly.

A resigned or missing agent is a red flag. It often signals an abandoned or non-compliant entity. Check this before signing anything. Many Oregon business owners use a commercial registered agent service to keep their personal address off the public record.

Filings, Certificates, and Staying Compliant

Once your entity is active, keeping it that way requires one annual action. Miss it and your status changes immediately.

Annual renewal is due on the anniversary date of your original formation, not a fixed calendar date. The fee is $100 for most entity types. There is no grace period built in. Missing the date moves your entity to inactive status right away.

What you can do through the SOS portal:

• Submit your annual renewal online
• File amendments including name changes and agent updates
• Order a Certificate of Good Standing for banking or out-of-state use
• Download copies of any filed document from the Summary History section
• File an Assumed Name if you want to operate under a trade name

Compliance is straightforward when you track your anniversary date. One missed year creates a problem that takes time and paperwork to fix.

Fees at a Glance

All fees below are current for 2026. Verify current amounts at sos.oregon.gov before submitting anything.

Oregon has no state sales tax, which keeps the overall cost of forming and running a business here lower than in many other states. Online filings process faster than paper, usually within one to three business days.

Oregon Business Entity Search for Due Diligence

Lenders, investors, and attorneys run this search before any deal closes. It takes under two minutes and costs nothing. You can verify a company’s status, check who the agent is, and pull the full timeline of activity on that entity.

Save time by knowing exactly which search terms lead where. Every term below points to the same official source at sos.oregon.gov:

• Oregon business entity search and state of Oregon business entity search are the most direct starting points
• Oregon secretary of state business entity search and sos Oregon business entity search both reach the same SOS portal
• Oregon business search and state of Oregon business search use the same search interface
• Oregon business name search and Oregon business entity search by name both search by the legal name on file
• Oregon business entity search by address is not a direct filter, but the address appears inside each full profile
• Oregon business registration search confirms whether a company has completed its formation
• Oregon LLC search and Oregon corporation search both use the same SOS database, no separate tool exists for each
• Oregon business registry and business registry Oregon both refer to the SOS public database at sos.oregon.gov
• Secretary of state business registry is the official name for the same system
• State of Oregon business registry is another way people describe the same SOS database

Every Oregon-related term above leads to sos.oregon.gov. Always confirm through the official SOS portal directly.

Troubleshooting: Common Search Problems

No results at all

• Remove LLC, Inc, or Corp from your search term
• Try a shorter version of the name, two words instead of the full name
• Switch to the “Contains” mode for a wider sweep
• Check your spelling carefully

Too many results

• Switch from Contains to Starts With
• Add a second keyword to narrow down
• Filter by Active status to remove closed entities

Name shows as taken but entity looks old

• Check the status column first
• Inactive does not mean available
• Only dissolved entities release their name, call 503-986-2200 to confirm

Cannot find by name

• Try the numeric registry ID instead if you have it
• Check the Assumed Name section separately for trade names

Oregon Business Entity Search FAQs

Is the Oregon business entity search free?

Yes. Searching the Oregon Business Registry at sos.oregon.gov is completely free. No account, no payment, and no login required. Fees only apply to formal filings and certified document requests.

Who runs the Oregon business registry?

The Oregon Secretary of State’s Corporation Division maintains the registry. The office is at 255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151, Salem, OR 97310. Phone: 503-986-2200.

Can I find a DBA or Assumed Name in the main search?

No. Assumed Business Names (ABNs), also called DBAs, are kept in a separate registry. They do not appear in the main entity search, so you have to search them separately at the same portal.

What is a registry number in Oregon?

It is a unique 7 to 8 digit numeric ID assigned to each entity at registration. It stays with the entity permanently and gives you a precise, no-ambiguity lookup compared to a name search.

Does inactive mean the business name is available?

Not necessarily. An inactive entity usually just missed a renewal and still holds its name. Only a dissolved entity formally releases the name back into the pool. Call 503-986-2200 to confirm before you file.

How much does it cost to register an LLC in Oregon?

Filing the Articles of Organization costs $100, and the annual renewal is also $100, due on your formation anniversary. Oregon has no state sales tax. If you would rather have it handled for you, BusinessRocket’s LLC formation service files everything and sets up your registered agent.

How long does Oregon take to approve an LLC?

Online filings are typically processed within one to three business days. Mailed filings take longer, usually four to six business days plus mailing time.

Can I reserve a business name in Oregon?

Yes. A name reservation costs $100 and holds your chosen name for 120 days. It is optional. Note that Assumed Names cannot be reserved, you file for those directly.