Oregon entity search: How to find your business information

All Oregon business entity information, including entity name, type, number, and formation date, is available through the Oregon Secretary of State business search portal. This free online database provides access to the details you need for onboarding, compliance, or business transactions.

Here, we'll show you exactly how to search the Oregon database, where to find each piece of information, and what format each data point takes in Oregon's system. 

Summary table: Finding your Oregon entity information

How to search for Oregon business entities

Navigate to the Oregon Business Search portal and enter your business name or entity number in the search field. While Oregon's system supports partial matches (searching "Cascade" will return "Cascade Technologies LLC"), using your complete legal name as registered ensures you get precise results.

Oregon's search engine ignores punctuation, spacing differences, and doesn't require business identifiers like "LLC" or "Inc." in your search terms. This broad search capability means you're more likely to find your entity even with incomplete information. However, for the most accurate results, we advise that you use your exact legal name as registered.

What you'll see in search results

Oregon's search results display comprehensive information immediately:

• Legal entity name (exact spelling and punctuation)
• Entity type (LLC, Corporation, Limited Partnership, Limited Liability Partnership, Nonprofit Corporation, etc.)
• Registry Number (Oregon's format)
• Formation/file date
• Current status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved, Administratively Dissolved, Inactive-Withdrawn)
• Next renewal date
• Registered agent information

How to find your entity number in Oregon

Your Oregon entity number, officially called your 'Registry Number,' is a 7- or 8-digit number assigned by the Oregon Secretary of State when your entity was formed.

Where to locate your Oregon entity number

1. Oregon business search (fastest method)

• Located: Prominently displayed in search results as a clickable blue link
• Labeled as: "Registry Number"
• Format: 123456-89 or 837329 (typically 6-8 digits, usually without the dash)

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Usually at the top of the document
• May be labeled as "File Number" or "Registry Number"
• Stamped by the Oregon Secretary of State with the official seal

3. Annual reports and state correspondence

• Appears on all official Oregon Secretary of State documents
• Used as your account identifier for renewals and amendments
• Referenced in all compliance correspondence

Oregon entity number format

• Format: Typically 6-8 digits, sometimes with internal formatting like 123456-89
• Example: 123456-89 or 12345678
• Pattern note: Numbers are assigned sequentially; newer entities have higher numbers

How to find your entity type in Oregon

Oregon recognizes multiple business entity types, listed exactly as shown in your business search results and formation documents.

Where to find your Oregon entity type

1. Oregon business search (most accessible)

• Displayed: Prominently in search results under entity information
• Listed as: "Entity Type"
• Clear abbreviations: DLLC (Domestic LLC), FLLC (Foreign LLC), DBC (Domestic Business Corporation), FBC (Foreign Business Corporation), etc.

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• At the top of your formation document
• May state "Certificate of Formation of [Entity Type]" or similar
• Uses full legal terminology

3. Annual reports

• Listed in entity information section
• Cannot be changed without formal amendment

How to find your formation date in Oregon

Your formation date (when the Oregon Secretary of State officially filed and approved your business entity) appears in Oregon business search results and on your Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation.

Where your Oregon formation date appears

1. Oregon business search (easiest access)

• Listed as: "Registry Date"
• Location: Displayed clearly in search results and on the detailed entity page
• Date format: Not explicitly confirmed to be MM/DD/YYYY; public information does not specify exact formatting.

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Top of the document with official state stamp
• May say "Filed on [date]" or show stamped date
• Includes both the filing date and the effective date if different

3. Annual report confirmations

• References original filing date
• Used to calculate annual report due dates and renewal schedules

Formation date vs. effective date

Oregon allows businesses to specify a future effective date when filing, creating two different dates:

• Formation date (file date): When the Oregon Secretary of State processed your paperwork (use this one)
• Effective date: When your entity officially began operations (if you specified a later date)

For most Oregon entities, the formation date and effective date are the same. Oregon's search portal displays the filing date as your formation date.

Next steps: Onboard your entity to Discern

You've got what you need from Oregon's system: business name, entity type, registry number, and formation date. Now get those details into Discern and let our platform handle annual reports, deadline tracking, registered agent coordination, and compliance management across all your jurisdictions.

Managing one Oregon LLC or fifty entities across multiple states? Discern ensures you never miss a filing deadline. Book a demo to see our platform in action.