Oregon Secretary of State Corporation Division OFFICIAL Government website

Corporation Division News & Announcements

General Announcements
Private Information is Not Public Record: [Posted June 19, 2007]
“Unfortunately, it’s a public record,” has been the Secretary of State Corporation Division’s constant refrain whenever we were asked about private information available to copy requesters. Although our forms did not request such information, and we tried to convince filers not to give us any, people still filed business registry, UCC and notary public document with social security and account numbers of their debtors. The debtors rarely knew the information, by law, could be published on-line or handed out to anyone willing to pay for a copy. For more information click here.

Public Records: [Posted June 19, 2007]
In accordance with Oregon Revised Statute 192.410-192.490, the information on all applications are public record. We must release this information to all parties upon request and it will be posted on our website.

Business Registration
Confusing, Deceptive, Fraudulent & Suspicious Solicitations: [Posted July 25, 2007]
We often hear from business owners who are concerned about receiving offers and solicitations that are confusing, deceptive, suspicious or even fraudulent. On this page, we will highlight some of the recent examples reported to us, to raise awareness and help other Oregon businesses avoid being taken advantage of. For more information click here.

Notary Public
Driver’s Licenses: [Posted April 1, 2009]
The Oregon DMV is changing their procedure when issuing new licenses. The old license will be returned with a hole punched in the name and address area. The driver license has been made invalid and therefore cannot be used for identification by itself. For identification purposes when notarizing documents, notaries can continue to use the temporary driver licenses. For more information on the new licences.

Notary Name and Signature Rule: [Posted October 15, 2008]
The Secretary of State has issued a new Oregon Administrative Rule, effective October 15, 2008 OAR 160-100-0020 Name of Notary Public and OAR 160-100-0030 Signature of Notary Public. This rule addresses the requirements for the notary’s commission name, which is the name that will appear on the official notary seal and official notary seal embosser. Read more on this announcment.

Notary Journal Rule: [Posted May 1, 2008]
The Secretary of State has issued a new Oregon Administrative Rule, effective May 1, 2008 OAR 160-100-0210 Information Required to Be Recorded in Notarial Journal. This rule addresses protections for Notaries and the clients they serve, by helping Notaries comply with the Oregon Consumer Identity Theft Protection Act. Read more on this announcement.

Driver’s Licenses: [Posted July 18, 2007]
New state law will change how Oregon issues driver licenses and identification cards. Drivers will not be able to pick up their new license in person. They will receive a temporary paper license.

There is no grace period for expired commissions.

These interim licenses are valid for identification purposes. Treat it as you always have treated licenses. Exception: do not use if they are more than 30 days past the issue date (it is then expired) or if it is laminated.

For more information on the new licenses, go to http://www.oregon.govv/ODOT/DMV/news/nr_real_id_sb_640.shtml

Mandatory Notary Public Education: [Posted May 26, 2006]
On July 1, 2006 all first-time applicants for an Oregon Notary Public commission, and any former notaries without a current commission at the time of application, must take a 3-hour course on Oregon notary laws, rules and procedures. The Secretary of State Corporation Division offers classes and online tutorial, or you may choose to use a certified education provider.

Notaries with active Commissions when reapplying, must continue to submit a completed application and test along with the $20 processing fee.

If you have any questions about this new law or the Oregon Notary Public Education Course, please email online.education@state.or.us.

Uniform Commercial Code
UCC Filings with Social Security Numbers Rejected: [Effective July 15, 2007]
A new state law, allows the Secretary of State to refuse to file documents containing a Social Security number, a state identification number, a driver license number, a credit or debit card number, or an account number that is not redacted to at least the last four digits of the number. Note: The filings will be acceptable if they are redacted to the last four digits. "Redacted" means altered or truncated so that no more than the last four digits of a number are accessible. A typical format to show a redacted number is XXXXX1234

UCC Document Images: [Effective June 19, 2006]
Online access to view images of UCC filings has been discontinued to allow for clean-up of all public record documents that may contain sensitive personal information, like social security numbers. We do not have an estimate for how long this clean-up effort will take, or when the “clean” document images will be available for online access. We will update this page when more information is available. In the meantime, copies of UCC filings are available through our office by using a UCC-11 "Information Request” form. The form and required fees are available at www.filinginoregon.com/forms/pdf/ucc/411.pdf

Sorry for the inconvenience - please keep checking our web page for more information.