An Oregon LLC operating agreement is an internal document that outlines a limited liability company’s ownership, management, rules, and operations. The agreement creates a framework for the LLC’s taxation, capital distributions, and annual reports and meetings. It also provides the necessary language to protect members from personal liability. The document isn’t filed with the state, and should be kept internally at the registered office and distributed to each member.
Single-Member LLC Operating Agreement – An operating agreement for LLCs that have only one (1) member.
Multi-Member LLC Operating Agreement – Relays the company rules and regulations agreed to by the members of an LLC with two (2) or more members.
Before forming an LLC, the company members will need to decide on a business name that fulfills state requirements. Entity names are are required to be unique (not already registered in the state) and include one of the following designations:
To verify if the chosen name is registered in Oregon, go to the Business Registry Database webpage, enter the name in the “Business Name” field and click Search for Business Name. If another company has already registered the name, repeat the process until a unique name is found.
Before filing the founding documents of an LLC, a name can be reserved for one hundred twenty (120) days to ensure that the name is not taken in the interim. To reserve a name, complete an Application for Name Reservation and file it by mail with the Secretary of State (address below). Include a $100 check or money order payable to “Corporate Division” to cover the filing fee.
Secretary of State
Corporation Division
255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310-1327
To create an LLC in Oregon, the company members will need to apply for acceptance by filing the necessary documents with the Secretary of State. New companies being formed in the state will file as a “Domestic LLC.” If the company is founded in another jurisdiction and expanding into Oregon, they will be considered a “Foreign LLC.” The fees and required forms are different for domestic and foreign companies.
The forms can be filed online through the Oregon Business Registry (requires the creation of an account) or by mail at the below address.
Secretary of State
Corporation Division
255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310-1327
While the forms filed with the Secretary of State form the register the business with the state, an operating agreement governs the company’s operations and internal structure. Unlike the Articles of Organization, it is not legally required or filed with the Secretary of State. However, an LLC operating agreement is essential in protecting its members from personal liability and internal conflict.
Any company that has two (2) or more members is required to obtain an EIN from the IRS to identify the LLC for federal taxation. Applications can be completed online or by completing the Application for EIN (Form SS-4) and sending it to the address below this paragraph. There is no fee for EIN applications.
Internal Revenue Service
Attn: EIN International Operation
Cincinnati, OH 45999
An Annual Report is a form that an LLC must fill out to keep the Secretary of State updated on the current status of the company. Every year following an LLC’s formation, the business will be required to file the Annual Report on the anniversary of the date that the Oregon Secretary of State approved the Articles of Organization. Filing must be completed online.
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