Look up a US business by state
The US has no single national company register — businesses are registered state by state. Choose the state where a company is formed and search its official Secretary of State database to check the name, status, and formation details.
Opens the selected state's official Secretary of State business search in a new tab and copies the name so you can paste it in.
Why there's no single US company register
Unlike many countries, the United States registers businesses at the state level, not federally. Each state's Secretary of State (or an equivalent agency) maintains its own database of the LLCs and corporations formed there. That's why the first step in any lookup is knowing — or guessing — which state the company was formed in. Delaware is a common choice for startups, but a business is usually registered where it operates.
How to search a state registry
Pick the state above and open its official business-entity search. Search by the exact legal name first, then try partial names if you don't get a hit — registries often require close matches. If you don't know the state, start with where the business is headquartered, then try Delaware, Nevada, or Wyoming, which are popular formation states.
What a lookup tells you
Most state registries show a company's exact legal name, entity type (LLC, corporation, etc.), current status (active, dissolved, or delinquent), formation date, and registered agent. Some also list officers and filing history. This is useful for due diligence on a vendor or partner, confirming a company is in good standing, or checking whether a name is available before you form your own entity.
Forming your own business
If a name is available and you're ready to form an LLC or corporation, you'll file with the state and then set out ownership and governance in an operating agreement. Certyneo provides a free LLC operating agreement template you can fill in and sign online with all members, backed by a legally binding audit trail.
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Frequently asked questions
Is there a national US business registry?
No. Businesses are registered by individual states, each through its Secretary of State or equivalent agency. You search the state where the company was formed.
How do I find out which state a company is registered in?
Start with where it's headquartered or does business. Many companies — especially startups — form in Delaware, Nevada, or Wyoming, so try those if the home state doesn't return a result.
Are state business searches free?
Yes. Every state's Secretary of State business-entity search is free to use. This tool links you directly to the official state database.
What if a business name is already taken?
You'll generally need a distinguishable name to register in that state. Checking availability before you file saves a rejected filing — and you can lock in governance with an operating agreement once you form.