Secretary of State Business Entity Search
This directory covers the official business entity search for all 50 states and Washington, D.C. — 51 jurisdictions in total. Each state page links directly to the official Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) lookup tool and walks through how to use it. Browse by state below.
This site is an independent, non-government business entity search directory and isn't affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any state government or Secretary of State office. Always verify details directly with the official agency before filing or paying any fee.
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A registration search isn't a license check
Registering an LLC or corporation with the Secretary of State establishes the entity legally — it doesn't mean the business holds every license or permit it needs to operate. Professional and trade licensing (contractors, cosmetologists, real estate agents, and similar regulated occupations) is handled by separate state licensing boards, and an active, good-standing status here says nothing about whether those requirements have been met. To vet a business for licensing compliance, check with the relevant board directly, not just the entity registry.
Helpful Guides
These guides cover what happens before and after the entity search itself — naming a registered agent, requesting a certificate of good standing, or closing an LLC down the right way. Each one lays out the general process, then points you to your state's specific forms, fees, and filing office.
What Is a Registered Agent, and Who Can Be One?
What the job involves and who's eligible — every LLC and corporation is required to name one.
Learn more →Certificate of Good Standing: What It Is and How to Get One
What the certificate proves, who asks for it, and how to order one from your state.
Learn more →How to Dissolve an LLC: The State Filing Process, Step by Step
The filing sequence — member vote, winding up, Articles of Dissolution — every state expects.
Learn more →LLC vs. Corporation: Which Structure Fits Your Business?
Same state filing office, different rules for taxes, ownership, and paperwork — here's how they compare.
Learn more →Articles of Incorporation vs. Articles of Organization: What's the Difference?
The two formation documents look alike on paper — here's which one applies to your entity.
Learn more →How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC? Formation Fees by State
State filing fees for an LLC range from under $50 to $500 — see your state's cost at a glance.
Learn more →LLC Annual Report Fees and Deadlines by State
Report frequency, fees, and due dates for keeping an LLC in good standing, state by state.
Learn more →Business License Search: What It Covers and How to Check
A business license isn't the same as entity registration — where to actually check for one.
Learn more →UCC Filing Search: How to Check for Liens on a Business
How to search UCC filings to see which lenders already have a claim on a company's assets.
Learn more →What is a Secretary of State business entity search?
Every state maintains a public registry of the businesses formed or registered to do business there. The Secretary of State's office — or an equivalent agency in some states — is typically the custodian of that registry. A business entity search is the public-facing lookup tool that lets anyone query it by business name, registered agent, or entity ID number.
People use these searches for a few different reasons. Someone forming a new LLC checks whether their preferred name is already taken before filing. A vendor or potential partner runs a search to confirm a company is in good standing before signing a contract. Attorneys, lenders, and due-diligence researchers pull entity details — registered agent address, formation date, officer names — as part of routine background work. Consumers sometimes use them to verify whether a business they're dealing with is legitimately registered.