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Assumed Business Name

Do business under
the name you want,
registered properly.

Oregon requires businesses operating under a name different from their legal entity name to register that name with the Secretary of State. Wayfinder handles the filing, whether it's paired with your LLC formation or added on its own.

Register a business name → Call with questions
Standalone or add-on
$75 one-time
+ Oregon SOS registration fee (currently $50). Wayfinder service fee is separate.
  • Name availability check with Oregon SOS
  • Assumed Business Name registration prepared and filed
  • Linked to your LLC or sole proprietorship as applicable
  • Confirmation delivered to your Wayfinder portal
  • Renewal reminder when your 2-year registration expires
Get started →
$75 flat Wayfinder fee + $50 SOS fee
Available as standalone or add-on
Renewal reminders included
Lake Oswego, Oregon

What it is

Operating under a different name? It has to be registered.

In Oregon, an Assumed Business Name (sometimes called a trade name or DBA, "doing business as") is a registered name that a business uses publicly instead of, or in addition to, its legal entity name.

If your LLC is named "Smith Consulting LLC" but your clients know you as "Portland Business Partners," that public-facing name needs to be registered with the Oregon Secretary of State. The same applies if you're a sole proprietor operating under any name that isn't your personal legal name.

The registration is straightforward. Oregon handles it through the SOS, but there are details that trip people up: name availability, whether it ties to an existing entity, renewal timing, and how it interacts with your LLC's legal name. Wayfinder handles the search and filing so it's done correctly the first time.

Register a name →

Common use cases

LLC operating under a trade name
Different brand than your LLC name
Your LLC is "Morrow Properties LLC" but you operate as "Morrow Home Rentals." The trade name needs to be registered and linked to the LLC.
Sole proprietor doing business as
Business name separate from your personal name
You're an individual running "Cascade Freelance Design." Any name that isn't your legal name requires an Assumed Business Name registration.
LLC with multiple brands
Multiple names under one entity
A single LLC can operate under several assumed business names, each one needs its own registration. Common for businesses with multiple service lines or locations.
Name change or rebrand
Transitioning to a new public name
Rather than amending your LLC's legal name (which requires a more involved SOS filing), registering an assumed business name lets you operate under the new name while keeping the LLC intact.

From name idea to registered, start to finish

Oregon processes Assumed Business Name registrations online. Wayfinder handles every step, from confirming the name is available to delivering your confirmation.

01
You tell us the name
Submit the name you want to register and the entity it should be linked to (your LLC, or yourself as a sole proprietor). Give us your second-choice name in case the first isn't available.
02
We check availability
We search the Oregon SOS database to confirm the name is available and doesn't conflict with existing registrations. If there's an issue, we'll let you know before filing anything.
03
We prepare and file
We prepare the Assumed Business Name application, link it correctly to your entity, and submit it to the Oregon Secretary of State with the required state fee.
04
Confirmation to your portal
Once the SOS processes the registration, we deliver your confirmation to your Wayfinder portal. We also note your renewal date. Oregon Assumed Business Names renew every two years.

What you should know

How Oregon assumed business name registration works

What the registration covers
An Assumed Business Name registration establishes your right to use the name in Oregon commerce and creates a public record linking the trade name to your legal entity. It is not a trademark, it doesn't give you exclusive rights to the name statewide or nationally. For trademark protection, you'd need a federal USPTO filing.
Renewal every two years
Oregon Assumed Business Name registrations expire every two years from the registration date. You'll need to file a renewal with the SOS to keep the name active. If you're a Wayfinder client, we send you a reminder ahead of your renewal date. We can also handle the renewal filing for you when the time comes.
Public record
Your assumed business name registration is part of the public Oregon SOS database. This is how clients, vendors, and licensing agencies can verify that the business name is legitimate and linked to a registered entity. It also protects you, if someone tries to register the same name later, your prior registration establishes your claim.

Flat fee, either way

Whether you're adding a business name during LLC formation or registering one for an existing business, the Wayfinder fee is the same.

Add-on to LLC Formation
$75 one-time
+ $50 Oregon SOS fee. Combined with your LLC formation filing.
  • ✓Name availability check
  • ✓Filed alongside your Articles of Organization
  • ✓Correctly linked to your new LLC
  • ✓Confirmation to your Wayfinder portal
  • ✓Renewal reminder in 2 years
Add to my formation →
Standalone
Existing Business or Sole Proprietor
$75 one-time
+ $50 Oregon SOS fee. For any existing entity or sole proprietor.
  • ✓Name availability check
  • ✓Assumed Business Name application prepared and filed
  • ✓Linked to your existing LLC or sole proprietorship
  • ✓Confirmation to your Wayfinder portal
  • ✓Renewal reminder in 2 years
Register a business name →
Optional add-on
In-Person SOS Filing, Salem, next business day
Need your assumed business name registration processed immediately? Wayfinder can hand-deliver your filing to the Oregon Secretary of State office in Salem for same-day processing. Available for an additional $75. Learn more →
+$75add-on

The Oregon SOS Assumed Business Name registration fee is currently $50, paid directly to the state. Wayfinder's $75 fee covers our service: availability check, preparation, filing, and portal delivery.

Questions

Assumed Business Name questions, answered plainly

Your LLC's legal name is what's registered with the Oregon SOS as your legal entity, for example, "Smith Consulting LLC." An Assumed Business Name is a separate registration that lets you operate under a different public-facing name, like "Portland Business Solutions." Your legal name stays the same; the assumed name is a registered alias you can use in commerce.
Yes, if you're doing business under any name other than your own legal name. Oregon requires sole proprietors using a trade name, even something as simple as "John's Lawn Care" if your name is John Smith, to register that name as an Assumed Business Name with the SOS.
Yes. A single Oregon LLC can have multiple Assumed Business Name registrations, each name is registered separately with its own $50 state fee and its own 2-year expiration. This is common for businesses that operate multiple service lines or brands under one legal entity.
No. An Oregon Assumed Business Name registration gives you the right to use the name for business purposes in Oregon and establishes a public record. It does not give you trademark protection. If you want to prevent others from using a similar name nationally, you'd need to file a federal trademark with the USPTO. Those filings are outside Wayfinder's scope, but we can point you toward trademark counsel.
Operating under an unregistered assumed business name in Oregon is a violation of state law. Practically, it also creates problems: you may not be able to open a business bank account under the trade name, contracts signed under the unregistered name can be harder to enforce, and licensing agencies often require proof of a registered assumed business name before issuing a business license.
Online filings through the Oregon SOS are typically processed within a few business days. If you need same-day processing, Wayfinder can hand-deliver the filing to the SOS office in Salem, this processes the same day and is available as an add-on for $75.
Yes. Once registered, your assumed business name appears in the Oregon SOS public database, linked to your legal entity. This is how clients, vendors, and licensing agencies can verify the name is legitimate and connected to a registered business.
The name you want to register (and a backup in case it's taken), the legal name of your entity or your personal name if you're a sole proprietor, and your contact information. If it's an add-on to LLC formation, we coordinate everything together. Fill out the intake form and we'll take it from there.

Ready to register?

Your business name, officially on record.

Fill out the intake form and we'll confirm availability, prepare the filing, and deliver your confirmation. $75 Wayfinder fee + $50 SOS fee.

Register a business name → Ask a question first

Questions? 503-726-0370  ·  [email protected]
5200 Meadows Rd Ste 200, Lake Oswego, OR 97035