Name availability · OR
Oregon business name search
Oregon's Business Registry Business Name Search has a dedicated "Business Name Availability Check" method, plus several stricter and looser match options. The state's own guidance: if nothing close shows up, the name can probably be registered. Assumed business names are filed by county, so identical DBAs can coexist in different counties.
How to check if a name is available in Oregon
- 01
Choose "Business Name Availability Check"
On the Business Name Search, pick the Business Name Availability Check method and enter your name. It's the most restrictive option and is built for this question.
- 02
Widen to sound-alike and extended searches
Run the name again with "Sound-alike words in any word order" and "Extended Search." Search Active and Inactive businesses to see everything.
- 03
Ignore the differences Oregon ignores
Entity words like Inc. or LLC, punctuation and symbols, spacing, capitalization, an added "s," and words like a, and, the or with don't make a name unique.
- 04
Check counties for assumed names
If you're registering an assumed business name, look at which counties existing matches cover. You pick the counties where your registration applies.
- 05
Search the USPTO
Oregon is clear that registering a name doesn't give you the right to use it. A search at tmsearch.uspto.gov helps you avoid trademark disputes.
- 06
Check domains and socials, or generate alternatives
Confirm the domain and handles. If the name is crowded, our free generator at /business-name-generator/ can give you fresh options to test.
Oregon business naming rules
- Entity words such as Inc., LLC, Co. and Corp. don't make a name distinguishable.
- Punctuation or special characters (!, &, +, @, /, #), spacing and capitalization don't count as differences.
- Adding or removing an "s" to make a word plural, singular or possessive doesn't count, and neither do articles, prepositions or conjunctions such as a, an, and, at, by, for, in, plus, the, to and with.
- An assumed business name can't contain an entity identifier like LLC or Inc. unless the name is owned by that type of entity.
- Registering a name doesn't give you the right to use it. Those rights come from use and, if needed, legal action.
Reserving a name
Oregon reserves a name for 120 days with the Application for Name Reservation. Reserving doesn't let you do business under the name, and assumed business names can't be reserved. Check the current fee on the Secretary of State's site.
DBAs and trade names
Assumed business names (DBAs) are registered with the Secretary of State's Corporation Division, but each registration is tied to specific counties. So the same assumed name can appear more than once in the database, once for each county.
Still looking for the right name?
Brainstorm dozens of options with the free generator, then run your shortlist through the Oregon search above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I search business names in Oregon?
Use the Business Registry Business Name Search and choose "Business Name Availability Check." You can also search by registry number and filter for active or inactive businesses.
Why are there identical assumed business names in Oregon?
Assumed business names are filed by county, so the same DBA can be registered separately in different counties.
Does registering my business name in Oregon protect it?
Not by itself. Oregon says registration creates a public record, but the right to use a name comes from using it and asserting your rights.
Can I reserve an assumed business name in Oregon?
No. Reservations, which last 120 days, are for entity names. An assumed business name can't be reserved.
General information, not legal advice. Name approval is decided by the Oregon Secretary of State, Corporation Division; a name showing as available in a search is not a guarantee it will be accepted.