Last Updated on January 30, 2024

The Corporate Division of the Oregon Secretary of State is responsible for a number of actions related to the incorporation of business entities in the state. The corporation registry of the Oregon SOS acts as a recorder of all those Business Entities that are or once were headquartered in Oregon. The registry contains filing and authorization details of the companies based in the state. It contains information on the following types of registered business corporate entities in the state:

• Corporations
• Limited Liability Companies
• Limited Companies
• Limited partnerships
• Limited Liability Partnerships

This search can’t be used to look up sole proprietorships and general partnerships in the state. To search for the assumed name or fictitious name of these entities, you will need to go to the county clerk’s office in the county where the business is located.

Search by Business Name

The Secretary of State of Oregon business registry provides a business name search tool for the use of the public where one can get access to the details of the corporate entity one is searching for or search business name availability. Once you have the business entity name or the registry number handy, you can easily get the information you want.

Also see: How to start an LLC in Oregon

Read our detailed business search guidelines, which will assist you in the same:

Step 1. Visit the Oregon Secretary of State’s website to go to the search page. You will come across a webpage that looks something like this.

Step 2. Key in the business entity name or the business registration number, whichever you have handy. Let us conduct a sample search using the business entity name. Type in “Mentor Graphics” in the field of Business Name. The screenshot below illustrates the process with clarity.

Step 3. Now click on the Search for Business Name button. Soon, the result page will follow, which looks similar to the screenshot below.

Step 4. Click on an entity named on the result page to get further details about the same. A page carrying information on the business entity includes;

• Registry Number
• Entity Type
• Entity Status (Active, Good Standing, Inactive, etc.)
• Registration Date
• Entity Name
• Principal Office Address
• Registered Agent Information
• Board of Director / Officer / Member / Business Owners Information

Copies of filing documents are available, such as the Articles of Organization (Limited Liability Company), Articles of Incorporation (Corporation), Annual Report, and more, after paying a small filing fee.

Business Licenses

The business name registration is different from a small business license in Oregon.  The Oregon Secretary of State has more information regarding Oregon business licenses.

Also see: How to do an Oregon UCC search

Information on SOS Oregon (OR)

Office :
The Secretary of State of Oregon is an elected constitutional office in the US state of Oregon. The office lies in the first line of succession to the Governor of the state. The current Secretary of State of Oregon is Shemia Fagan.

Functionalities :
Generally, the Oregon Secretary of State takes care of the public accounts and takes responsibility for public administration. The main divisions in which the Oregon SOS plays a dynamic role are as follows:

• Archives Division
• Corporations Division
• Audit Division
• Election Division
• Executive Division

Secretary of State Contact Information

Public Service Building
255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151
Salem OR 97310
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​​503-986-2200​​​​​​

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State Business Name Search Instructions