How to do a business entity search
- Go to the business filing website for the state, usually the Secretary of State’s
- Open the business entity search (it may be called business search, corporations search or similar)
- Choose how to search: by entity name, ID number or registered agent
- Enter your search and submit it
- Review the list of matching businesses
- Click a business to see its filing details
- Check its status (active, inactive or dissolved) and filing dates
- Order a certificate of good standing if you need one (most states charge a small fee)
What does the Secretary of State do for businesses?
In most states, the Secretary of State handles business filings and keeps the public records. A few states use another office, such as the Arizona Corporation Commission, the Virginia State Corporation Commission or Maryland’s State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT). The office:
- Registers new LLCs, corporations, partnerships and nonprofits
- Keeps Articles of Organization, Articles of Incorporation and amendments
- Records annual reports and statements of information
- Keeps records of registered agents and business addresses
- Certifies a business’s status, such as active, dissolved or in good standing
For anyone starting a business, the state’s business filing website is usually the first stop: it’s where you check that a name is available and file your formation paperwork.
Why do a business entity search?
Business entity searches are useful well beyond the formation stage. Here are the most common reasons:
1. Check business name availability
Before registering an LLC or corporation, make sure your name isn’t already taken or too similar to an existing business. Your name must be distinguishable from other names on the state’s records to be approved.
A search result is a good first check, but it isn’t a guarantee. Some states, such as Georgia, review names only when you file, and a name can still conflict with a trademark. To use a different brand name, you can register a DBA; to protect your name nationwide, consider a federal trademark.
2. Verify a business’s existence or status
Customers, investors and vendors can look up a company to check that it’s registered in a state, active and in good standing.
3. Identify registered agents
Every state requires businesses to name a registered agent, and those records are public. That makes them useful when you need to send legal papers to a business.
4. Do your due diligence
Whether you’re considering a partnership or checking a vendor or client, an entity search shows key details such as the business’s formation date, filing history and whether it has been dissolved.
Business entity search links by state
Every link below goes to an official government website.
Business entity search links for DC and U.S. territories
How to use a business entity search portal
Every state’s search tool looks a little different, but most are free and easy to use. A few tips for accurate results:
Use the correct business name
Start with the full business name, if you know it. If not, search part of the name or a keyword. Some states also let you filter by entity type or status.
Review the status
Most search tools show whether a business is active, inactive, administratively dissolved or revoked. That tells you whether it’s currently in good standing with the state.
Examine the filing history and documents
Some portals let you view the original Articles of Organization, annual reports and other filings. These give you insight into the company’s history.
Confirm the registered agent and office address
The registered agent name and address show where to send legal notices and where official correspondence is handled.
Watch out for third-party websites
Always use official government websites when you do an LLC search. Many third-party sites charge unnecessary fees or show out-of-date information. Bookmark your state’s official search page.
Conclusion
Whether you’re forming an LLC, checking a vendor or researching a business’s filings, your state’s official business search is the go-to source for accurate information. Knowing how to find and read these records helps you make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary risks.
Use these tools early in the formation process, and come back to them to keep an eye on your own company or the businesses you work with. Every state and territory has its own system, so use the one where the business is registered.
If you’re just starting out, Tailor Brands can check your name and form your LLC for you, so you meet all of your state’s requirements.
Common questions about business entity searches
Almost never. State business entity searches are free in nearly every state; Texas charges $1 per search. Most states charge a fee for official documents, such as a certificate of good standing.
Usually not. Business entity searches show basic filing information, such as the registered agent, formation date and status, and sometimes the managers, officers or directors. They rarely show ownership or financial details.
Try other spellings, search part of the name or remove punctuation. If you still find nothing, the business may be registered under a different name or in a different state.
It’s a good first check, but not a guarantee. Some states review names only when you file, and a name that’s free in your state can still conflict with a trademark.