A business entity search is a free online lookup that lets you find any company registered in a US state.
Every state keeps an official database of its businesses. You type in a company name, and the state shows you its public record.
It takes about two minutes. You do not need an account, and in almost every state you do not pay anything.
This guide explains how the search works, what it shows you, and how to search any state — including direct links to the state guides on this site.
What Is a Business Entity Search?
A business entity search is a search of a state’s official business registry.
When someone forms an LLC, corporation, partnership, or nonprofit, they file paperwork with the state. That filing becomes a public record.
The search tool is simply the public window into those records.
A few terms, in plain words:
- Business entity means a registered business, such as an LLC or a corporation.
- Secretary of State is the state office that keeps business records in most states.
- Registered agent is the person or company that officially receives legal mail for the business.
A few states are exceptions. Utah, for example, has no Secretary of State for business filings — its Division of Corporations keeps the records.
Why Look Up a Business Entity?
People run this search for a handful of practical reasons:
- Check a company is real. Before you pay a contractor or sign with a supplier, confirm the business is registered and active.
- Check your own business. Owners use it to confirm their company is in good standing and their details are correct.
- Check a name before starting. If you plan to form an LLC, search first to see whether your business name is already taken.
- Find a registered agent. Lawyers, banks, and business partners use the record to find who officially represents a company.
- Research before a deal. Buyers and investors check a company’s age, type, and status before money changes hands.
What Information Does a Business Entity Search Show?
The exact details vary by state, but a typical record shows:
| Detail | What it means |
|---|---|
| Entity name | The legal name the business registered |
| Entity number / file number | The state’s ID number for that business |
| Entity type | LLC, corporation, partnership, nonprofit, and so on |
| Status | Active, inactive, dissolved, or revoked |
| Formation date | When the business was registered |
| Registered agent | Name and address of the official contact |
| Principal address | The business’s main address on file |
| Filing history | Annual reports and changes the business has filed |
One important limit: the search does not show owners’ private details, tax records, or bank information. It only shows what the state makes public.
How to Do a Business Entity Search
The process is nearly the same in every state:
Step 1: Open the state’s official search page. Use the state table below. Always use the official state website — many lookalike sites charge for what the state gives free.
Step 2: Type the business name. Start with the exact legal name if you know it. If not, type part of the name and browse the matches.
Step 3: Open the matching record. Click the business in the results list to see its full detail page.
Step 4: Read the status. The status line tells you whether the business is active and in good standing, or inactive, dissolved, or revoked.
That is the whole process. Our state guides below walk through each state’s tool screen by screen.
Business Entity Search by State
Every state has its own database, its own tool, and its own small differences.
Start with the state where the business is registered:
- Utah Business Entity Search — free search run by the Division of Corporations
- Delaware Business Entity Search — free name search; status reports cost extra
- Texas Business Search — free Comptroller search, plus the $1 SOSDirect records search
- Florida Business Search — the free Sunbiz database
More state guides are being added. If the business is registered in a state we have not covered yet, your state guide is the Secretary of State website for that state (Utah: Division of Corporations).
Business Entity Search vs Business Name Search: What Is the Difference?
These two tools sound alike, but they answer different questions.
An entity search looks up businesses that already exist. Use it to research a company, check a status, or find a registered agent.
A name search (often called a name availability search) checks a name you want to use for a new business. It tells you whether the name is free or already taken.
Some states combine both in one tool. Delaware, for example, has a general entity search and a separate name availability search.
Rule of thumb: researching a company = entity search; starting a company = name search first.
Is a Business Entity Search Free?
In almost every state, yes — the search itself is free.
You normally pay only when you need official documents, such as:
- A certificate of good standing (also called a certificate of status or existence)
- Certified copies of a company’s filings
- Deeper paid records, where a state offers them
Delaware is the best-known example: its name search is free, but an official status check costs $10, and a certificate of status costs $50.
Never pay a third-party website just to “search” a business name. Go to the state tool and search free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a business entity search the same in every state?
No. Each state runs its own database with its own search tool. The information is similar, but the steps, the search options, and the small fees differ — which is why this site has a guide per state.
Can I search businesses in all 50 states at once?
There is no official single US database. Some private sites claim to search nationally, but they only copy state data and often charge for it. Searching the state registry directly is free and more reliable.
What if a business does not appear in the search?
It may be registered in a different state, registered under a slightly different legal name, or not registered at all. Try part of the name, check nearby states, and remember that sole proprietors using their own name may not appear.
Does “active” mean a business is good to deal with?
Active means the business is registered and current with the state. It is a good sign, but it is not a guarantee of quality — check reviews and references too.
What is a registered agent?
A registered agent is the official point of contact the state and courts use for a business. Every LLC and corporation must list one. The agent’s name and address appear in the entity record.
Next step: Pick your state above and run your first search — or, if you are starting something new, read our guide on how to start a small business.