Get an Oregon Registered Agent

One of the initial things you’ll need to determine before filing your paperwork to form a limited liability company (LLC) in Oregon or an Oregon corporation is who will serve as your registered agent. The state requires all LLCs to have one, but what is a registered agent? What are their duties, and what are the requirements to be one?

What is an Oregon registered agent?

A registered agent is an individual or business that is designated by the LLC to receive important legal documents on behalf of the company. This position is crucial to ensure that the correct people within an LLC are notified in person when there are time-sensitive events, such as service of process for lawsuits. The agent also receives important notices from the state, such as garnishment notices against employees, a notice of annual reports, and tax notifications.

Who can be a registered agent in Oregon?

According to Oregon law (ORS 63.111), a registered agent is an individual or a business entity located at a physical street address in Oregon whose sole responsibility is to accept legal documents on behalf of the business. An entity cannot designate itself as its own registered agent. The registered office is the physical street address where the registered agent is located during normal business hours. The registered office address may be the same as the company’s place of business. The registered office address must be a physical street address located in Oregon and cannot be a post office box or something similar.

A registered agent can be:

• An individual who resides in this state and whose business office is identical to the registered office or
• A registered domestic or foreign (out-of-state) business entity such as a corporation, limited liability company, professional corporation, or nonprofit corporation authorized to transact business in this state whose business office is identical to the registered office.

Benefits of Using an Oregon Registered Agent Service

Opting for a registered agent service offers a plethora of benefits. These services specialize in receiving and relaying official paperwork, helping ensure nothing slips through the cracks. They give you peace of mind to go work around town and travel without worrying about your legal mail. Many services also offer extra perks like digital access to your critical documents, compliance reminders, and more.

More importantly, a professional registered agent company can help protect you from potential embarrassment. If you’re acting as your own agent, you’ll have to accept service of process yourself, which means whomever you’re with at the time — maybe a client or business partner — will know you’re facing a lawsuit. But if you use an agent service, the process server will go to the registered agent’s address. Your agent will handle these notifications privately, discreetly, and promptly.

How is a registered agent appointed in Oregon?

You must name your registered agent when you complete the official paperwork with the state to form your LLC, so you need to decide who your registered agent or registered agent service will be before you begin that process. Of course, you need to be sure to inform whomever you’re appointing and get their permission to serve in that role. 

How much does it cost for a registered agent in Oregon?

The cost of a registered agent in Oregon varies based on whether you choose an individual or a professional service. If you opt to be your own registered agent or designate someone you know, the costs can be minimal, primarily associated with the potential need to maintain a physical street address or office space during business hours. For many small business owners, being their own agent requires no out-of-pocket cost but requires time and attention instead. 

On the other hand, professional registered agent services usually come with a fee. These fees can range from $100 to a few hundred dollars annually, depending largely on the level of services offered. While using a professional service might seem like an added expense, the benefits they provide — like helping ensure compliance, protecting your professional image, and offering added peace of mind — often justify the cost for many businesses.

Cost of Changing Registered Agents

If you need to change your registered agent in Oregon, you’ll file the “Information Change” form with the Secretary of State. You can file this form online or by mail. Either way, there isn’t a filing fee.

Alternatively, if your annual report is coming due, you can make the registered agent change as part of that process. This can be convenient because it’ll cut down on extra paperwork, but it’s only an option if your report is due. For most businesses, this costs $100 (it’s $50 for nonprofits), but it’s an expense you should already be budgeting for. (These are the fees at the time of this writing.)

How to Change a Registered Agent in Oregon

Changing your registered agent in Oregon is pretty simple. The most common method to make this change is by using the Secretary of State’s Information Change form. This is an all-in-one form that Oregon business entities can use to make any changes, from addresses to managers to, of course, registered agents. You can file it online or by mail; either way, you’ll submit the changes with the Secretary of State.

The alternative is to simply make the change when you file your annual report.

Change of Registered Agent Requirements

When changing a registered agent, the new agent must meet the same requirements: be an Oregon resident or a business authorized to conduct business in Florida, have a physical street address in the state, and be available during business hours.

Oregon Secretary of State Contact Information

Resignation of Oregon Registered Agent

If a registered agent needs to resign, they must notify the LLC and submit a formal resignation statement to the Oregon Secretary of State. The agent remains on file for 31 days post-resignation unless a replacement is appointed sooner.

Steps to Remove a Registered Agent

1. Notify your LLC: Inform your LLC that you’ll be resigning. While you aren’t required to do this before filing a resignation statement, it’s recommended to do so. Not only is this a professional courtesy, but it helps the business appoint a successor agent in plenty of time.
2. Submit your resignation: Oregon doesn’t offer a form for filing your resignation; you’ll need to draft your own. After you’ve written one, you’ll need to submit it to the Secretary of State.
3. Hand off your responsibilities: Help your LLC transition to a new registered agent to avoid penalties. A valid registered agent is crucial to maintaining the LLC’s good standing.