Do you have the perfect name idea for a new business entity in the state of Oregon, but you’re not quite ready to form your company?
Oregon allows you to reserve a business name until you’re prepared for the business formation process, but how does the reservation process work and how long will the state reserve the name for you? In this guide, we’ll run down all the important details of reserving a business name in Oregon.
How to Reserve a Business Name in Oregon
The first step is to determine if your desired business name is even available in Oregon to begin with. Oregon has an intuitive business name search tool available through the Secretary of State’s website right here. You can also learn more about checking the availability of your desired name at this link. Once you’ve determined the availability of your desired name, you can begin the process of reserving it with the state.
In Oregon, individuals or businesses that wish to reserve a business name prior to registering their business with the state must file the Application for Name Reservation form with the Secretary of State. This form requires the following information: Secretary of State Corporation Division
255 Capitol St. NE, Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310-1327
The form must be accompanied by a check for $100 made payable to the “Corporation Division.” Once the form and check are ready, you can mail them both to the following address:
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How Long Is My Business Name Reserved For?
Oregon name reservations last for a period of 120 days. You will need to register your business during this time so that you don’t risk losing your desired name to someone else once the reservation expires.
Conclusion
Just because you aren’t ready to form your Oregon business entity doesn’t mean you can’t lock down your desired business name.
While reserving a name in Oregon has a much higher filing fee than most other states, it does reserve your desired name for approximately 4 months, which should give you plenty of time to register your business. Additionally, the Application for Name Reservation does not require much information, and can be processed in a matter of days.