What Does the Secretary of State Do for Businesses?

In most U.S. states, the Secretary of State is responsible for managing business entity filings and maintaining public records. This includes:

• Registering new LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and nonprofits.
• Storing Articles of Organization, Articles of Incorporation, and amendments.
• Recording annual reports and statements of information.
• Keeping records on registered agents and business addresses.
• Certifying a business’s status as active, inactive, dissolved, or in good standing.

For anyone starting a business, the Secretary of State’s website is often the first stop to ensure a name is available and to file the necessary formation paperwork.

Why Perform a Business Entity Search?

Business entity searches serve a variety of purposes and are useful well beyond the business formation stage. Here are some of the most common reasons:

1. Check Business Name Availability

Before registering an LLC or corporation, it is essential to verify that your desired name is not already in use or too similar to another entity’s name. A business name must be distinguishable to be legally approved.

2. Verify a Business’s Existence or Status

Consumers, investors, and vendors can look up a company to verify if it is active, registered in a particular state, and in good standing with state authorities.

3. Identify Registered Agents

Each state requires businesses to designate a registered agent. These records are publicly accessible through business search portals and are useful for sending legal or tax correspondence.

4. Perform Due Diligence

Whether you are considering a business partnership or verifying the legitimacy of a vendor or client, entity search tools can reveal important details such as the business’s formation date, filing history, and whether it has been dissolved.

Secretary of State Websites and Business Entity Search Links by State

State	Secretary of State Business Website	Business Entity Search Portal
Alabama	sos.alabama.gov	Business Entity Records
Alaska	commerce.alaska.gov	Corporations Database
Arizona	azcc.gov	Entity Search
Arkansas	sos.arkansas.gov	Corporation Entity Search
California	sos.ca.gov	Business Search
Colorado	sos.state.co.us	Business Database Search
Connecticut	portal.ct.gov	Online Business Search
Delaware	corp.delaware.gov	Entity Search
Florida	dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/	Search Records
Georgia	sos.ga.gov	Business Search
Hawaii	hdcca.hawaii.gov/s/	Business Name Search
Idaho	sos.idaho.gov	Business Search
Illinois	ilsos.gov	Business Entity Search
Indiana	in.gov/sos	INBiz Business Search
Iowa	sos.iowa.gov	Business Entities Search
Kansas	sos.ks.gov	Business Entity Search Station (BESS)
Kentucky	sos.ky.gov	Business Search
Louisiana	sos.la.gov	Commercial Search
Maine	maine.gov/sos	Corporate Name Search
Maryland	sos.maryland.gov	Business Entity Search
Massachusetts	sec.state.ma.us	Corporation Search
Michigan	michigan.gov/sos	Business Entity Search
Minnesota	sos.state.mn.us	Business Filings Search
Mississippi	sos.ms.gov	Business Search
Missouri	sos.mo.gov	Business Entity Search
Montana	sosmt.gov	Business Search
Nebraska	sos.nebraska.gov	Corporate & Business Search
Nevada	nvsos.gov	Business Search
New Hampshire	sos.nh.gov	Business Name Lookup
New Jersey	state.nj.us/state	Business Name Search
New Mexico	sos.state.nm.us	Business Search
New York	dos.ny.gov	Corporation & Business Entity Database
North Carolina	sosnc.gov	Business Entity Search
North Dakota	sos.nd.gov	Business Records Search
Ohio	sos.state.oh.us	Business Search
Oklahoma	sos.ok.gov	Business Entity Search
Oregon	sos.oregon.gov	Business Name Search
Pennsylvania	pa.gov/agencies/dos.html	Business Entity Search
Rhode Island	sos.ri.gov	Corporate Database
South Carolina	sos.sc.gov	Business Name Search
South Dakota	sdsos.gov	Business Information Search
Tennessee	sos.tn.gov	Business Information Search
Texas	sos.state.tx.us	Business Search (Login required)
Utah	utah.gov	Business Search
Vermont	sos.vermont.gov	Business Search
Virginia	scc.virginia.gov	Business Entity Search
Washington	sos.wa.gov	Corporations Search
West Virginia	sos.wv.gov	Business Entity Search
Wisconsin	sos.wi.gov	Corporate Records Search
Wyoming	sos.wyo.gov	Business Entity Search

Websites and Business Entity Search Links for U.S. Territories and the District of Columbia

Jurisdiction	Secretary of State or Equivalent Website	Business Entity Search Portal
District of Columbia	DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection	CorpOnline (DLCP) (Login required)
Puerto Rico	Departamento de Estado	Registry of Corporations and Entities
Guam	Department of Revenue and Taxation	Business License and Permit Center
U.S. Virgin Islands	Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs	Business License Search
American Samoa	Department of Commerce	Business Licensing
Northern Mariana Islands	Department of Commerce	Registrar of Corporations

How to Use a Business Entity Search Portal

Although the design and features vary slightly by state, most Secretary of State websites provide a free, easy-to-use business entity search tool. Here are a few universal tips for getting accurate results:

Use the Correct Business Name

Start by typing the full business name, if known. If you’re unsure, try searching by partial names or keywords. Some states also offer advanced filtering by entity type or status.

Review the Status Column

Many search tools show whether a business is active, inactive, administratively dissolved, or revoked. This status helps determine if the entity is currently compliant with state requirements.

Examine Filing History and Documents

Some portals allow you to view original Articles of Organization, annual reports, and certificates of good standing. These documents offer insight into the company’s operational history.

Confirm the Registered Agent and Office Address

The registered agent’s name and address are key for sending legal notices or verifying where official business correspondence is handled.

Watch for Third-Party Websites

Always use official government websites when conducting a business entity search. Many third-party sites charge unnecessary fees or provide incomplete information. Bookmark the correct state pages and use them directly.

Conclusion

Whether you are forming an LLC, confirming the legitimacy of a vendor, or researching a business’s public filings, Secretary of State business search portals are the go-to source for accurate and official information. By understanding how to access and interpret these records, you can make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary risks.

Use these tools early in the formation process and revisit them regularly to stay informed about your own company or others you may do business with. Every state and territory has its own system, so be sure to use the correct portal based on where the business is registered.

If you’re just starting out and looking for help with forming an LLC or choosing a business name, consider using a service that can automate these steps and ensure you’re meeting all the necessary state requirements.

Common Questions About Business Entity Searches