To start or operate a business enterprise in Oregon, you will need to do a business search in the Oregon secretary of state Business search section. This division is responsible for maintaining essential state records.
The secretary of state of Oregon is an elected constitutional officer within the executive branch of the government of the state of Oregon in the United State of America. The duties of the secretary of state are the auditor of public accounts chief elections officer and administrator of public records in the state. The secretary of the state is the first in a line of succession to the governor of the state of Oregon.

The business search division of Oregon’s secretary of state handles all filings related to company law, which include the formation of corporations and other organizations and business entities, and matters related to the uniform commercial code. They also operate the notary’s public system; all of this is supported on the official website of the Oregon secretary of state.
Business name search
To check desired business name availability in Oregon, you will need to search the secretary of state website database. On the website, choose “business name availability, under “search method”, enter the intended name on the search box and click on “search”. The result page will let you know if the page is available or not. If the name is already in use by existing businesses, you will get a notice of the list of companies with that company name or related.
Secretary of state – corporation division
This section on the website is used for some specific function, they experience high calls and email volume, and this makes them spend a long time processing some filings. The functions of this division include:
Register, renew, reinstate
In this section, you can register your new business, renew your existing business by filing an annual report to the division or reinstate your business that was dissolved administratively. The following can be done in the section:
Renew existing business (annual reporting)
To renew your business online by filing your business annual report.
Register new business
You can click on that option if you want to register your business with the Oregon business registry online
Reinstate past business
if you have forgotten to file your annual report through the previous year, you can reinstate your business online.
Update business registration
Through the section, you learn how to change information about your business.
Corporation Division services
This section enables you to find your business name, look for a commercial code and get or find a business form. The website offers notary training to you any time of the day; you can certify a public document with authentication. The website offers help to those who need help to cut red tape for their small business or nonprofit and wants to get help from an ombudsman. Through the website, you can be able to perform or obtain the following:
Find a business
The find a business search option enables you to consult the Oregon business registry database, you can perform a business search using a quick search by entering a business name or registry number search you can research a business and do a trademark search.
Business information center
You can learn about opening or closing a business in Oregon, find forms, locate business resources, and review laws and rules.
Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)
You can submit UCC filing, find the name of business entities, and the names of their debtors and get additional UCC information.
Forms
You can obtain Business registration forms, UCC, and notary public forms; you can also order business registry copies and certificates.
Notary
You can become an Oregon notary public, find a notary, get access to a notary toolkit, get remote online notarization, and renew or update your commission record.
Authentication (Apostille)
You can certify a document to obtain internationally recognized acceptance into another country and the website offers a guide on how to get an apostille, authentication FAQ, and US Department of state authentications.
Public record
You can check for business registration search for notaries and find records.
Nonprofit services
You can register your nonprofit organization, review the law, study tax laws, and research any nonprofit organization that is in Oregon.
License directory
You can get access to information regarding all known Oregon state licenses.
Office of small business assistance
This is an independent voice for small businesses within the government.