How to Look Up an LLC in Oregon (2026)
To look up an LLC in Oregon, search the Secretary of State's business registry. The Corporation Division runs an online lookup tool for this.
This guide covers how to search for an LLC in Oregon and how to reach the Corporation Division directly. A final section explains how to check a name against Oregon's trademark records.
Quick Summary
- Oregon handles LLC lookups through the Secretary of State's online business search.
- Search by business name, or enter a registry number to pull up one exact record.
- Call the Corporation Division directly when the online tool doesn't cover your question.
| Method | What to Enter | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name Search | Full or partial LLC name or a Business Registry Number | Checking name availability or finding a specific entity |
| Advanced Business Name Search | Business name with extra filters | Narrowing results when a plain name search returns too many matches |
How to Search for an LLC in Oregon
The Find a Business tool is the Secretary of State's own search. It covers business entities on file with the Corporation Division. Type a business name or its Business Registry Number and Oregon lists matching filings.
The same tool shows a business's registered agent. Use it to check whether a name is taken or to find out who represents a company.
Pick the Right Search Tool
Oregon splits business lookups into two tools:
- Business Name Search: the standard tool for a plain name or number lookup.
- Advanced Business Name Search: filters active registration records more narrowly. Use this when the standard tool returns too many hits.
Run your term, then open the listing that fits. Try the advanced tool if the first pass buries the entity you want under similar names.
Contact the Oregon Secretary of State's Office
Prefer a person over a search box? Here's how to reach the Corporation Division:
- Phone: 503-986-2200
- Office: Public Service Building, 255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151, Salem, OR 97310
- Front desk: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Phone lines: Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to noon
Have the business name or registry number ready before you call. Say plainly what you need. That could be a record check, a copy of a filing or a Certificate of Existence.
Watch for Renewal Scam Mail
Some Oregon businesses get a mailer styled to look like an official annual report notice. Firms called "Workplace Compliance Services" or "Business Compliance Services" send these forms. They charge a fee the state never asked for.
File and renew directly through the Secretary of State's own site. Skip any mailer from a company you don't recognize.
How to Check if a Business Name Is Trademarked in Oregon
Oregon registers trademarks separately from LLCs and business names. An available business name isn't automatically clear of trademark trouble. Run both a state and a federal check before you settle on one.
1. Search the Federal USPTO Database
The USPTO's Trademark Electronic Search System covers marks registered at the federal level. A federal listing and Oregon's own state registry track different scopes, so check both before you settle on a name.
2. Check Oregon's State Trademark Registry
Oregon also registers trademarks and service marks through the Secretary of State under ORS 647.015 [1]. An application costs $50. A registered mark renews every five years for another $50.
3. Check for Unregistered, Common-Law Use
A name doesn't need a registry entry to create a conflict. Search the open web. Scan business directories. Check domain names and social handles too. A company can trade under a name for years without ever filing to register it.
Reasons to Perform an Oregon LLC Search
One search answers more than a name check. Run it before you start an LLC in Oregon:
- Confirm name availability: search first. That way your Articles of Organization aren't rejected over a name that's already taken.
- Look up a registered agent: useful for comparing registered agent services in Oregon or finding who represents another company.
- Check an entity's status: is it still active? Is it in good standing? Check first, before you sign a contract with it.
- Scope out a filing before you submit one: see what's on record with an Oregon LLC service. Do this before you send in your own paperwork.
Looking up an entity from another state? See our general guide to looking up an LLC. Closing an Oregon entity instead? Our guide to dissolving an LLC in Oregon covers that process.
Searching for Oregon LLCs takes one tool once you know what to enter. As Venture Smarter, we hope this guide gets you to the record you need with fewer wrong turns.
FAQs
How Do I Search by Business Registry Number in Oregon?
Type the Business Registry Number into the Find a Business tool instead of a name. It pulls up that one record directly, without a name search.
What Should I Do if I Can't Find an Oregon LLC on the Website?
If you can't find an Oregon LLC on the website, call the Corporation Division at 503-986-2200. Staff can check if the entity goes by a different name, was never registered or was dissolved.
Does Oregon Require an Annual Report for LLCs?
Yes, Oregon requires an annual report from every domestic LLC, filed for $100 a year. The state mails a renewal notice about 45 days before the due date, and filing online finishes in minutes.
How Do I Get a Certificate of Existence for an Oregon LLC?
Log into your Oregon Business Registry account and select Certificate of Existence. It's issued online in minutes, no mailed paperwork required.
References:
- https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_647.015
Didn’t know you could look up LLCs in Oregon so easily. Helpful for checking if a name’s taken or just seeing who owns what.