If you need to search a business entity — an LLC, corporation, LP, or LLP — you need the right link to the official state database. This page covers all 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, with links to official business-registry or service pages. Use each page’s entity-search option where available; fees, account requirements and record coverage vary by jurisdiction.
What Is a Business Entity Search?
A business entity search (also called a corporate record search) lets you look up any company registered with a state. Using the official state database, you can:
- Check recorded registration and status; obtain the appropriate official certificate when formal good-standing evidence is needed
- Check a company’s current status (active, dissolved, suspended, or revoked)
- Find a company’s registered agent and official address
- View filed documents such as Articles of Organization or Incorporation
- Review similar registered names; follow the jurisdiction’s official name-availability or reservation procedure before filing
This is one of the first steps you should take when starting a business, vetting a potential partner, conducting due diligence as an investor, or verifying whether a vendor is legitimate.
Who Manages Business Registrations in Each State?
Business registrations are commonly administered by the Secretary of State, but the responsible agency varies. Examples include Michigan’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Maryland’s Department of Assessments and Taxation, Wisconsin’s Department of Financial Institutions, Virginia’s State Corporation Commission and Arizona’s Corporation Commission. In Washington D.C., the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection operates the BOSS business portal. Use the official agency linked below rather than assuming every state has an SOS corporate registry.
All 50 States: Secretary of State Websites & Business Entity Search (2026)
The links below lead to official business-registry or service entry pages, checked against government pages and the National Association of Secretaries of State directory on 1 October 2026. Follow the entity-search option on the selected page. Some pages restrict automated retrieval or require an account; a search may have fewer fields than another state’s search.
How to Search for a Business Entity — Step by Step
- Identify the state where the company is (or claims to be) registered.
- Find the state in the table above and go to the Business Entity Search link.
- Use the legal business name or state identifier. Search by agent or named person only when that official interface provides the field.
- Review the results — check entity status, formation date, registered agent address, and filed documents.
If you don’t find the company in the state you expected, try searching neighboring states or use a multi-jurisdiction aggregator like OpenCorporates as a starting point — then always verify on the official state portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there a national database to search all 50 states at once?
There is no official national business registry. However, OpenCorporates aggregates data from many jurisdictions and can help narrow down which state a company may be registered in. Always confirm the information on the official state website. - How do I check if a company is legitimate?
Check the claimed jurisdiction, legal name, identifier, dates and filing history. A missing or inactive result needs investigation: it can reflect a different name, an exempt business type, a filing delay or a historical entity. Registration alone does not prove legitimacy, and an administrative lapse does not by itself prove fraud. Verify the obligations applicable to that entity type. - Can I search for an LLC by the owner’s name?
Some states allow you to search by member or manager name, but not all. This functionality varies by state. - Is a business entity search free?
In the vast majority of states, the search itself is free. Some states may charge fees for downloading certified documents or official records. - How long does it take to form an LLC?
Processing times vary widely — from a few hours in states that offer expedited processing to several weeks for standard filings. It depends on the state and the filing method chosen. - What’s the difference between the Secretary of State website and the Business Division?
Where the Secretary of State administers business registrations, its business or corporations division maintains those records. Other jurisdictions assign that role to a different agency; use the jurisdiction-specific official link above. - Why Use Official State Databases?
Third-party sites can pull outdated or incomplete data. The responsible state or territory agency is the primary source for its registry entries. For a formal transaction, obtain the appropriate official records or certificates and review relevant tax, court and licensing evidence where necessary. Confirm third-party results against the primary records.