Registering your business is an important part of the start-up process. Not only does the process help ensure your business is recognized at the Federal, State and Local level as a legal, licensed operating business, but it helps you finalize your business name and ensures no one else can utilize the same.
 
At the Federal level, part of the process includes registering your EIN, or Employer Identification Number. This number is important even if you are a sole-proprietor and are starting your business without any employees. When registering for an EIN, you will use a different form, dependent upon your business structure either as Sole Proprietor, Corporation, Partnership, LLC, etc.  To find out more information about registering your business for its EIN, click here.
 
The official registration of your business name begins at the State level. Each state has a different set of rules and regulations to register the business name. In Oregon, the law requires someone doing business to file their Assumed Business Name (or, DBA) with the state so it becomes public record. Without having a registered business name with the State, a business would have no legal standing in court, access to other permitting requirements or access to funding. To register your business with the State of Oregon, click here.

To learn more about the requirements of doing business in the State of Oregon, click here.
 
Each County and Municipality may have additional requirements to operating a business. All businesses, doing business in Ashland, are required to have a business licenses from the City of Ashland. To fill out the form and register for your City of Ashland Business License, click here.  A business operating lodging services, a restaurant and/or selling tobacco has a separate set of requirements along with a business operating out of a home. See the Special Consideration page under Registering your Business for additional information.