How do I search for a business entity by state?

Each state maintains its own Secretary of State database for business entity searches. Select your state from our directory to access the official database link, learn what the search covers, and understand how to read the results — for LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits.

Official Secretary of State Database

Every State's Business Entity Search, In One Place.

Q: Is there a national business entity search database?

No. There is no national company registry. Companies register state by state, so a nationwide search means checking each state's database in turn. Start with the state where the business was formed, then check any state where it operates.

Q: Can a business name be taken in one state but available in another?

Yes. Names are only reserved within one state. A name that is free in Delaware may already be taken in Texas, so check every state you plan to operate in before you file.

Fifty states and D.C. Each guide links straight to the official Secretary of State database and shows you how to run the search — for LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits.

Updated August 30, 2026 6 min read

Business Name State

Runs the live name check on that state's guide page. Leave the name blank to open the guide.

Free Name Check 51 Official Databases Linked Independent — Not A Government Agency

Census Bureau Data

Where New Businesses Are Forming.

Employer identification applications and year-over-year growth, July 2026. Hover a state for its numbers, click it to jump to that state's guide.

Total U.S. Applications

578,926

New business filings across all 50 states this month.

Fastest Growth

Alaska +95.8%

Largest year-over-year increase in new formations.

Most Active

Florida 65,332

Highest volume of new applications this month.

Year-over-year growth, six equal groups of states. Alaska sits far above the range at +95.8%.

Under 9%

20% And Up

There Is No National Company Registry. Here's How To Search Anyway.

Companies register state by state, so a nationwide search means checking each state's database in turn. Start with the state where the business was formed. Then check any state where it operates, since it has to register there as a foreign entity.

Names are only reserved within one state. A name that is free in Delaware may already be taken in Texas, so check every state you plan to operate in before you file.

Browse All 51 Guides Check A Name For Free See Formation Trends

State Guides

Business Entity Search By State.

Pick your state. You get the official database link, what the search covers, and how to read the results.

Filter States

Every U.S. state maintains its own Secretary of State business entity database. This directory links to the official database for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Pick a state above and we send you straight to the live search — the same page a lawyer would use to check a name, verify status, or pull a filing history.