Protecting the Public's Rights
The public has the right to know who they are doing business with. All information collected through this website's online applications, forms or in-person to our office becomes a public record unless explicitly exempted by law (Oregon Public Records Law, ORS Chapter 192).
Oregon has laws designed to ensure open government, which guarantees access to records and information on record with the state. There are exceptions to the public's right to public records, including protecting
the personal safety of qualified individuals. Both state and federal laws limit the public's right to access records when there is a need to protect individual privacy and/or safety. Information that identifies you as an individual, such as your name, address and phone number, is not necessarily protected as private.
Alternative to Registering a Business Name
Sole proprietors don't have to be registered with the State of Oregon unless they are using an assumed business name or a fictitious name. If the name of the business includes the "real and true" name of each owner, there is no requirement to register an assumed business name with our office. ORS 648.005(6) "Real and true name" means:
The surname of an individual coupled with a combination of the individual's given names or initials; For example, the following sole proprietor business names would not need to register with our office:
- Jane Ann Doe Glass Cleaning
- Jane A Doe Glass Cleaning
- J Ann Doe Glass Cleaning
- J A Doe Glass Cleaning
Why a Street Address, and Alternatives to Using a Home Address
Oregon law requires all business registry filings to disclose a physical street address for their Principal Place of Business, Registered Office or Registrant (if applicable).
- The Principal Place of Business allows for the public to know who they are doing business with and identifies a specific physical location where contact can be made with the business.
- The Registered Office is where the registered agent will accept physical delivery of legal papers, including service of process for a lawsuit.
- The Registrant is an owner of an Assumed Business Name, also the person or entity who accepts a physical delivery of legal papers, including service of process.
This requirement may be
an issue for small-business owners and nonprofits working out of their home. To preserve their
privacy, use the following acceptable alternatives to listing their home address in the public record:
- Attorney
- Registered agent
- Service company
Note: A commercial mail receiving agency does not meet this requirement. This includes virtual or cloud based offices.
Requesting a Personal Safety Exemption
The term "personal information" refers to information that readily identifies a specific individual, such as an person's name, address and telephone number. Such information may be exempt from disclosure if releasing it would put the personal safety of the person or family member at risk.
Most information collected by state government is assumed to be open to the public unless specifically exempted.
The Oregon Public Records Law permits individuals to request a personal safety exemption to disclosure of their public information. The law outlines specific circumstances (such as a restraining order, police report or court order) in which records
qualify for nondisclosure, or exemption from the public's right to access. ORS 192.368 and OAR 137-004-0800 specify how to request nondisclosure. Contact Us for more information.
It is important to note that an alternative disclosable physical address will still be required for the Principal Place of Business, Registered Agent address or Registrant.