Before you form an LLC, register an assumed name, or start a corporation, you'll need to complete a business name search with the Oregon Business Name Search tool to see if your name is unique.
In our Oregon Business Name Search guide, we'll show you exactly how to check LLC name availability in Oregon.
Recommended: Northwest Registered Agent will register your business name when they form your LLC for $29 (plus state fees).
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Oregon LLC Name Search
The Oregon Secretary of State requires all business names to be distinguishable from other business entities in the state.
It's also important to search for a matching domain name (URL).
How to Search Available LLC Names
You can check your business name availability by searching the Oregon Business Name Search online database.
Recommended: If you don’t have a business name yet or find that yours is taken, use our LLC Name Generator.
How to Check Available Domain Names
When choosing a business name you'll need to find out whether or not a good web domain name is available. Having a URL that clearly matches your business name is important. This small step can make a big difference in how prospective customers find your business.
The best way to determine if your desired URL is available is to search for it using your preferred domain registry, such as GoDaddy.
How to Register Your Business Name
Register Your Name
An LLC name is officially registered when you file your LLC application documents and form an LLC.
Ready to register your LLC name? Use our Oregon LLC guide to get started.
Registering a DBA in Oregon (also known as an assumed name) is a separate process that requires filing with the Secretary of State.
Reserve Your Name
You can optionally reserve your LLC name in Oregon for up to 120 days before you officially register it. This prevents other businesses from registering your name until you have the opportunity to register it yourself.
Name reservation forms can be requested by calling the Oregon Secretary of State at (503) 986-2200 or emailing them on their website. The filing fee is $100.
Oregon Naming Requirements
Some key guidelines for Oregon LLC names include:
- Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.).
- Names submitted for registration must be comprised of the English letters “a” through “z,” and the Arabic and Roman numerals 0 through 9, in integers or spelled out.
- Your name may include the following special characters: asterisk (*); “at” sign (@); backslash (/); left brace ( { ); right brace ( } ); caret (^); dollar sign ($); “equal to” sign (=); “greater than” sign (>); “less than” sign (<); number sign (#); percentage sign (%); plus sign (+); tilde (~); and underscore (_).
- Your name may include the following punctuation: apostrophe ( ‘ ); left bracket ([ ); right bracket( ]); colon (:); comma (,); dash or hyphen (-); exclamation point (!); left parenthesis (( ); right parenthesis ( ) ); period (.); question mark (? ); single quote mark (“ ); double quote mark ( “ ” ); semicolon (;); and slash ( / ).
- Your name must be distinguishable from any existing business in the state. This includes Oregon reserved names.
Keep an eye out for restricted words. These words, such as “FBI” or “Treasury,” are often restricted to keep your LLC from sounding like an official institution.
Oregon also has the following restrictions for LLC names:
- Your name cannot include the following: cooperative, corporation, corp., incorporated, Inc., limited partnership, L.P., LP, Ltd., limited liability partnership, L.L.P., and LLP.
- Your name cannot imply in any way that the business is an agency of the state or any of its political subdivisions without approval.
For more information, check out Oregon's official state statutes on LLC name requirements and name distinguishability.
Distinguishability
It is important that your name be distinguishable from all other business names. In Oregon, a distinguishable name is one that is substantively different from all other existing or reserved business names in the state.
The following differences will make a business name distinguishable in Oregon:
- One or more different letter or numerals (except an "s" to make word plural possessive)
- Letters or numerals in a different order
- Different words or a different order of words
- Creative or unusual spelling
- Expressing a number as a numeral versus as a word
The following differences do NOT make a name distinguishable in Oregon:
- Business entity identifiers at the end of the name
- Plural or possessive forms of words
- Punctuation and special characters
- Spacing
- Articles, prepositions, and conjunctions
Failure to use a distinguishable name could result in your formation filing being rejected.
Is your name already taken? Our free AI-powered LLC name generator will generate thousands of new ideas.
Oregon LLC Name Search FAQ
How do I check if an LLC name is taken in Oregon?
You can use the Oregon Business Name Search tool to see if your business name is available.
Learn more about business entity name availability in the How to Search Available LLC Names section.
Should I name my LLC after myself?
While there’s no rule against naming an LLC after yourself, most experts advise against doing this.
One of the benefits of starting an LLC is the ability to choose a different name for your business, which can make it sound more professional.
To explore other naming options, use your free AI-powered LLC Name Generator.
What words can’t be used in an Oregon LLC name?
Business names generally can’t include words that imply the company is a banking or financial institution or that it’s affiliated with a local, state, or federal government agency.
Additionally, Oregon LLC names cannot include the following: cooperative, corporation, corp., incorporated, Inc., limited partnership, L.P., LP, Ltd., limited liability partnership, L.L.P., and LLP.
Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Oregon Naming Requirements section.
Should I use an LLC name generator?
If you’re having trouble choosing a name for your LLC, an LLC name generator can help you come up with some ideas.
What is a brand name?
A brand name is a name a company gives to a product or line of products. It can be the same as the company’s name or something different.
Learn more about branding with your business entity name with our How to Name an LLC guide.
Do I have to include LLC in my name?
Yes. Oregon requires that its LLCs use “Limited Liability Company” or one of its abbreviations (e.g., LLC or L.L.C.) in their legal name.
Learn more about LLC naming requirements in the Oregon Naming Requirements section.
Do I need to renew my business name in Oregon?
Oregon doesn't require LLCs to renew their legal name, but assumed names must be renewed every two years.
You can renew online, and the filing fee is $50.
Learn more about assumed names with our Oregon DBA guide.
Can my business name be different from my LLC name in Oregon?
Some companies choose to operate under a name that’s different from their legal name. This can either be called a “doing business as” (DBA) name or an assumed name in Oregon.
In Oregon, LLC assumed names are filed with the Secretary of State.
Learn more about assumed names with our Oregon DBA guide.
Does my LLC need a DBA name?
Your LLC doesn’t need a DBA name unless it plans to do business under a name other than its legal name. Learn more about Oregon DBAs by reading our guide to filing for a DBA and selecting Oregon from the dropdown menu.
