How to Look Up a Business or LLC in Any State (Free SOS Entity Search)

Every US state maintains a free public database of registered business entities. Whether you want to check if a business name is available before forming your LLC, verify that a company is legitimately registered, or find a registered agent's contact information, the state's official business entity search tool is where you start. This guide explains how the search works and links directly to the official search page for all 50 states and Washington DC.

Quick Answer

To search for a business entity, go to your state's Secretary of State website (or equivalent agency), enter the company name or entity number, and review the results. The search is free and takes under a minute. Results typically show the entity's legal name, status, formation date, registered agent, and filing number. Direct links to all 50 states and DC are in the directory below.

IN THIS GUIDE

1. Why people use a business entity search
2. What a search shows you
3. How to do a business entity search (5 steps)
4. All 50 states and DC: official search links
5. Frequently asked questions

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Why People Use a Business Entity Search

There are four main reasons someone searches a state's business entity database.

• Check if a business name is available. Before you file your LLC, confirm that no active entity already uses the same name in your state. Most states require names to be "distinguishable" from existing registrations: minor variations may not be enough.
• Verify that a company is legitimate. If you are hiring a contractor, signing a contract, or considering a business partnership, a quick entity search confirms whether the company is actually registered and in good standing.
• Find registered agent information. Every LLC and corporation is required to maintain a registered agent. Their name and address appear in the public search results.
• Research a competitor or potential acquisition. Formation date, filing history, and status (active vs dissolved) are all public record and available through the search.

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What a Business Entity Search Shows You

• Entity name: the exact legal name registered with the state
• Entity type: LLC, Corporation, Partnership, Nonprofit, etc.
• Status: Active, Dissolved, Suspended, or Administratively Dissolved
• Formation date: when the entity was officially registered
• Registered agent: name and address (public record in most states)
• Entity or filing number: unique state-assigned identifier
• Principal office address: the business's official address on file
• Filed documents: some states provide downloadable Articles of Organization, annual reports, and amendments

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How to Do a Business Entity Search (5 Steps)

1. Go to your state's search page. Use the directory below. Each link goes directly to the official state or agency search tool.
2. Choose your search type. Most tools let you search by entity name or by filing number. Name search is the most common starting point.
3. Enter the name. Type the business name you are looking for. Most tools support partial name searches: you do not need the full exact name.
4. Review the results. Each result shows entity status, formation date, registered agent, and entity type. Click on an entry for full details and filed documents.
5. Confirm what you need. If checking name availability, confirm no active entity uses that name. If verifying a company, check that its status shows active and in good standing.

Good to know
Some states have different agencies handling business registrations. Arizona uses the Arizona Corporation Commission (not the Secretary of State). Maryland uses SDAT (State Department of Assessments and Taxation) and calls it a "Resident Agent" instead of Registered Agent. Virginia uses the State Corporation Commission. All three are noted in the directory below.

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All 50 States and DC: Official Business Entity Search Links

All links below go directly to official government search tools. No third-party sites. URLs are verified as of September 2026. If a link changes, go to your state's Secretary of State homepage and search for "Business Entity Search."

URL NOTE
Government websites update periodically. If any link above returns a 404 or redirects to a homepage, search "[State name] Secretary of State business entity search" on Google to find the current URL. All links were verified in September 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a business entity search free?

Yes. Every state's official Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) provides a free public business entity search. You do not need an account or subscription. All links in the directory above go directly to the free official search pages. Third-party services that charge for business name searches are optional and unnecessary for a basic search.

How do I check if an LLC name is available in my state?

Go to your state's business entity search tool using the links above, search for the name you want, and review the results. If no active entity with that exact name (or a confusingly similar name) appears, it is likely available in your state. Brendat performs a name availability check as part of every LLC formation order before filing your Articles of Organization.

What does "good standing" mean in a business entity search?

Good standing means the entity has met all of its state compliance requirements: annual reports filed on time, fees paid, and no outstanding violations. An LLC in good standing can legally conduct business, enter contracts, and open bank accounts. An LLC that is not in good standing may be restricted from operating and may lose its liability protection. Restoring good standing typically requires filing overdue reports and paying any accumulated fees and penalties.

Can I find out who owns an LLC through a business entity search?

It depends on the state. Registered agent information is always public. Ownership information (member names) is publicly disclosed in some states but not others. Wyoming and New Mexico do not require member names in public filings, which is one reason they are popular with business owners who value privacy. Even in states that do require member information, beneficial ownership details are generally not part of public state records.

What is a registered agent and why does it appear in search results?

A registered agent is a person or company designated to receive official legal documents on behalf of an LLC, including court notices, state compliance warnings, and tax correspondence. Every LLC in every US state is legally required to maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the formation state. The registered agent's name and address are public record and appear in business entity search results. Using a professional registered agent service keeps your personal home address out of these public records.

Can I look up a foreign (out-of-state) LLC?

Yes. When an LLC formed in one state registers to do business in another state, it files as a "foreign LLC" in that second state. Most state business entity search tools show both domestic LLCs and foreign LLCs registered to operate there. If a company operates in multiple states, you may find it listed in several states' databases under its home state formation details.

Why does Arizona use the Corporation Commission instead of the Secretary of State?

Arizona is one of the few states where business entity filings are handled by the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) rather than the Secretary of State. This is specific to Arizona's state government structure. If you search "Arizona Secretary of State business search," you will not find what you need. Use the Arizona Corporation Commission link in the directory above instead.

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Further Reading

• Does Your LLC Name Have to Match Your Business Name?
• What Happens If You Don't Keep Your LLC Filings Updated?
• How Much Does an LLC Cost? (All 50 States)