The importance of distinguishing your business from others in the marketplace cannot be understated. You will likely face significant competition over the goods and services you offer the local community as well as those provided in the digital landscape. That’s one of the reasons why professionals who establish sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies (LLCs) all need a name that stands apart. It doesn’t matter what type of business entity you own or operate because industry leaders can all reap the benefits of filing a “doing business as” (DBA) in Oregon.
Sometimes referred to as an “assumed business name” or “fictitious name,” the DBA Oregon entrepreneurs and other decision-makers file must attract clients and customers in a meaningful way. Once registered with the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office, the company’s public-facing title allows sole proprietors and small partnerships to enjoy a degree of separation between their surname and professional life. It’s also a routine practice for experienced LLC leaders to file for a DBA in Oregon and attach that moniker to a specific product line or service. While savvy business professionals understand the value of investing in a DBA in Oregon, some developing startups may harbor concerns about using a fictitious name. The following information should ease any concerns and highlight the process of getting an Oregon DBA.
If you recently started a business in Oregon, it may seem redundant to now file for a DBA. After all, you probably made a list of names that you believe offered excellent branding and marketing opportunities. While that may be true, there are numerous fictitious names available that can also further your goals and interests. This may involve syncing a moniker with a domain name you reserved for later exploration. That notion can also work in reverse. For a modest fee and the time it takes to navigate the Oregon business bureaucracy, an assumed business name can be an integral part of your long-term planning.
If you own or operate a growing Oregon LLC, a DBA allows you to mesh the name with new services and products. For example, if you opened “Steve’s Ice Cream” a few years ago and have expanded to serving lunch and dinner, a new name makes sense. Rather than retool your entire LLC, simply secure a DBA such as “Steve’s Ice Cream and Eatery.”
The DBA Oregon entities select help them better connect with community members without having to change the corporate structure. It’s essential to keep in mind that a doing business as a label applies to every allowable business entity in Oregon, including sole proprietorships, partnerships and LLCs, among others.
To maximize the benefits of a DBA in Oregon, it’s crucial to tie the name to your organization’s strategic goals. The assumed business name registered by an owner, operator, or third-party firm usually supports profit-driving endeavors or other things of importance. While the process of securing a DBA in Oregon can prove tedious and temporarily take away from other duties, it typically delivers the following benefits.
It’s also important to keep in mind that you do not necessarily need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) to register an Oregon DBA.
If there is a disadvantage to onboarding a DBA, it stems from not connecting it to a legally recognized LLC in Oregon. In some cases, sole proprietors and people in the gig economy establish a doing business as lable to distinguish what they do from their personal life. While that proves useful, not having the liability protections of an LLC leaves people vulnerable to civil lawsuits. In other cases, work-related contracts that are not backed by a formal structure may not be fully enforceable. These are other negatives regarding the use of a fictitious name alone.
The benefits of filing for and securing a DBA in Oregon easily outweigh any negatives. That being said, following the appropriate steps for registering an Oregon DBA is critical.
If an organization does not properly register a DBA with the Oregon Secretary of State, the entity cannot participate in a civil lawsuit in court. The state may also penalize the company with a $100 fine.
Adding a DBA seems to imply that your organization will be required to file separate taxes in addition to the business entity. Nothing could be further from the truth. A fictitious name in no way changes your tax position, regardless of how many DBAs you acquire.
Before visiting the Secretary of State’s platform, remember that Oregon has specific rules regarding fictitious name appropriateness. This facet is entirely consistent with other states, and you’ll need to understand these regulations to avoid receiving a rejection notice. You will also be tasked with following tedious steps. If the following feels time-consuming, you can outsource filing a DBA to an authorized party.
There are commonsense name restrictions that include not using profanity, obscenities, and look-alikes. For example, the Secretary of State typically denies filing when adding a word or changing the spelling of a DBA that is already in use. These are other name requirements to consider before starting the process.
An Oregon fictitious name may use the generic term “company” regardless of its legally recognized structure.
Before going to the Oregon Secretary of State’s website, consider compiling a list of possible fictitious names. As you start the process, you will likely discover that some of the popular choices have already been taken. The good news is there are plenty of suitable DBAs that can get the job done.
To complete the DBA filing process, you’ll need to complete the following series of steps in order. Have your list handy and a credit card, in the event you want to file and pay electronically.
Type your first choice into the Secretary of State Business Name Search. This will tell you whether another organization has already reserved the handle. If it is not available, continue to run searches until you find one that can be secured.
On the Assumed Business Name Registration page, you’ll find an option to download the form or file digitally. Oregon requires the following information to approve a request.
You have an option of filing electronically at the Oregon Business Registry or mailing a hard copy to the following address.
Secretary of State
Corporation Division
255 Capitol St. NE
Suite 151
Salem, OR 97310-1327
The filing fee is $50, regardless of whether you send a check with the application through the mail or use the online system. The state typically requires 5-7 business days once the application has been received.
Acquiring a DBA in Oregon allows businesses of all sizes and structures to explore wide-reaching opportunities. Sole proprietors generally appear more professional, and LLC owners and operators can better brand and market new goods and services. There are no real obstructions or negatives to having a fictitious name. It’s a positive asset that helps drive profits, open new markets, and achieve goals.
If you are considering registering a DBA but don’t have the time to invest right now, there are third-party business platforms that specialize in forming LLCs and securing DBAs. These professional firms streamline the process while avoiding mistakes that may cause delays.
The short answer is: No. You can run your operation under the name you used in the initial business entity registration. Sole proprietors are not required to separate their personal identity from the way they earn a living. However, onboarding a DBA in Oregon can be a useful asset.
This portion of our website is for informational purposes only. Tailor Brands is not a law firm, and none of the information on this website constitutes or is intended to convey legal advice. All statements, opinions, recommendations, and conclusions are solely the expression of the author and provided on an as-is basis. Accordingly, Tailor Brands is not responsible for the information and/or its accuracy or completeness. It also does not indicate any affiliation between Tailor Brands and any other brands, services or logos.
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