Why Look Up a Business Entity?
There are many reasons to search for a business in a state database. Here are the most common ones.
Verify legitimacy
Confirm a company is real and legally registered with the state.
Check business status
See if a company is active, dissolved, or in bad standing.
Find registered agent
Look up who handles legal documents for the company.
Due diligence
Research a company before investing, partnering, or signing contracts.
Name availability
Check if a business name is already taken before forming your own company.
Legal purposes
Find the correct entity to serve legal documents to.
Step-by-Step: How to Search for a Business
Determine the State
Figure out which state the business is registered in.
A company is usually registered in the state where it was formed. Some companies register in multiple states. Popular formation states include Delaware, Nevada, and Wyoming.
If you are not sure, start with the state where the company is headquartered.
Go to the State's Business Search
Each state has a free online database run by the Secretary of State (or equivalent office).
Use our complete state directory to find the direct link for any state.
Tip: Always use the official Secretary of State website. Third-party sites may have outdated information or charge fees for searches that are free on the official site.
Enter the Business Name
Type the company name into the search field. Most databases let you search by:
- Business name (full or partial)
- Entity number or filing number
- Registered agent name
- Officer or director name
If you get too many results, try using the exact legal name. If you get no results, try a shorter version of the name.
Review the Results
Click on the business name to see its full details. You will typically find:
What Information Can You Find?
State business databases are public records. Anyone can search them for free. Here is what you can typically find.
Basic Information
- Legal business name
- Entity type (LLC, Corporation, LP, etc.)
- Date of formation or incorporation
- Current status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved)
- State entity ID number
- State of formation
Contact & Agent Details
- Registered agent name and address
- Principal office address
- Mailing address
- Officers and directors (for corporations)
- Members or managers (for LLCs)
- Filing history
Tips for a Successful Search
Try different name variations
Search for "ABC Corp," "ABC Corporation," and "ABC Inc" separately. Databases match exact characters.
Remove common words
If you get too many results, try searching without words like "The," "LLC," or "Inc."
Use the entity number
If you have a filing number or entity ID, search by that for an exact match.
Check multiple states
A company may be registered in its formation state and also in states where it does business as a foreign entity.
Look for DBA names
Some businesses operate under a "Doing Business As" name that is different from their legal name.
Search by State
Jump directly to the state you need. Each page has a direct link to the official business search database.
Related Resources
What Is a Registered Agent?
Learn what registered agents do and why businesses need one.
Business Entity Types Explained
Understand the differences between LLCs, corporations, and more.
What Is Good Standing?
Why business status matters and how to check it.
State Filing Fees Comparison
Compare incorporation and annual report fees across all 50 states.