Quick Answer
Use the New York Department of State Corporation and Business Entity Database to run a New York entity search by business name or DOS ID. For name research, search the proposed wording, compare exact and similar registered names, and open records when available. A no-match result is only preliminary until New York reviews the filing or name reservation.
How to Search New York Business Entity Records
New York business registrations are administered by the Division of Corporations, State Records and UCC under the New York Department of State (DOS). The department provides a free online search database to verify active business details, check entity status, and view public records.
Access the Entity Database
Go to the official New York Division of Corporations Business Entity Search portal to begin.
Enter Search Parameters
Select the first drop-down menu item to search by entity name. Type the target business name into the search field. Select the entity type from the provided list. Click Search The Database.
Review Table Results
Review the columns of information in the search results table:
- Name
- DOS ID#
- Assumed Name ID #
- Status
- Entity Type
- Date of First Filing
- County
Click on the business name to view its public information.
Obtain Entity Public Information
Review the public records for the selected entity. Use the buttons at the top right of the page to return to the search results or start a new search. The information is divided into the following sections:
Entity Details:
- Entity Name & Foreign Legal Name
- Entity Type & Section Law
- Date Of Initial DOS Filing & Effective Date Initial Filing
- Foreign Formation Date, County, & Jurisdiction
- DOS ID & Fictitious Name
- Duration Date/Latest Date Of Dissolution
- Entity Status & Reason For Status
- Inactive Date, Statement Status, Next Statement Due Date, & NFP Category
Contact and Structure Information:
- Service Of Process Name And Address
- Chief Executive Officer’s Name And Address
- Principal Executive Office Address
- Registered Agent Name And Address
- Entity Primary Location Name And Address
- FarmCorpFlag & Stock Information
Filing History Tabs:
- Name History, Filing History, Merger History, & Assumed Name History
If the search results return no close matches for New York, treat that as a preliminary screening signal only. Verify the name in the official state database, and wait for the state filing or name-reservation review before treating the name as accepted.
How to Interpret New York Results
A New York business search helps you verify registration details or determine name availability:
- Active: The business is registered, active, and in good standing with the state of New York.
- Inactive / Dissolved: The business registration has ended, typically due to voluntary dissolution, merger, or administrative termination for failing to file Biennial Statements or pay taxes. These names may become available for registration.
- Name Availability & Distinguishability: New York law requires a proposed business name to be distinguishable from all other active registered names, including LLCs, corporations, partnerships, and reserved names. Minor variations in spacing, punctuation, capitalization, or entity designators (like LLC, L.L.C., Inc., or Corp.) do not make a name distinguishable.
New York Business Name and Filing Notes
New York entity lookup, formation, publication, name reservation, and biennial statement filings are separate Department of State steps:
- LLC Filing Fees: Filing the Articles of Organization online for a domestic New York LLC costs $200.
- Name Reservation: You can reserve a business name for 60 days by filing an Application for Reservation of Name. The fee is $20 and can be extended up to two times.
- Publication Requirement: New York LLCs must publish a copy of their Articles of Organization or a notice of formation in two newspapers in the county where the office is located once a week for six consecutive weeks, then file a Certificate of Publication with a fee of $50.
- Biennial Statements: Every domestic and foreign New York LLC must file a Biennial Statement online every two years. The statement is due during the anniversary calendar month of formation. The filing fee is $9.
- Foreign LLCs: To register an out-of-state LLC to do business in New York, the initial application for authority fee is $250.
Common Mistakes
- Searching Only for the Exact Proposed Name: Always run broad searches using just the core keyword of your proposed name. If you only search for the exact phrase, you might miss closely matching active names that the state will reject as indistinguishable.
- Including LLC Suffixes in Search Queries: Do not type designators like “LLC” or “L.L.C.” into the search form. The system ignores suffixes, and adding them can restrict results or return false matches.
- Failing to Satisfy the Publication Requirement: New York requires LLCs to complete the publication process within 120 days of formation. Failing to do so can result in suspension of the LLC’s authority to carry on business.
- Forgetting the Biennial Statement Renewal: New York LLCs must file biennial reports every two years. Keeping your contact and agent information current is essential to receive legal notices and stay compliant.
- Assuming Availability Equals Official Approval: A search showing no matching results is a preliminary indicator of availability, but only the Department of State can officially approve your name when they process your filing.