New York Business Entity Search (2026 Guide)

The official database is maintained by the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations. This 2026 guide explains how to search business records, check entity status, and review company details. If you want to start a business, verify a company, or check if a name is available, this guide covers everything in one place, step-by-step, clearly, and in detail.

How to Search a Business Entity in New York

The New York Department of State, Division of Corporations maintains the
Corporation and Business Entity Database. Use the official public inquiry
system to locate an entity record, then compare the legal name, DOS ID,
entity type, status, and filing details before relying on the result.

Step 1: Go to the Official New York Business Entity Search Page

Open the New York Department of State Corporation and Business Entity Database
This is the official state source for corporations and other business entities on file with the Division of Corporations.

Step 2: Choose How You Want to Search

For most entity lookups, start with the business name or DOS ID. A name
search is useful when you are researching a company, while the DOS ID is
the better identifier when you need to match one specific state record.

• Entity Name:
  Use the legal name or the main words from the name when the exact spelling
  is uncertain.
• DOS ID:
  Use the Department of State identification number when you already know
  the exact entity.
• Assumed Name:
  Use the public inquiry system’s assumed-name functions when you are
  researching a name filed by an entity instead of its legal name.

Step 3: Enter the Entity Name or DOS ID

Enter the strongest identifier you have. If a full legal name does not
return the record you expected, try the distinctive words from the name
and compare the results carefully. Similar names can belong to different
entities.

When a DOS ID is available, use it to reduce ambiguity. New York also uses
the DOS ID for other state processes, including online Biennial Statement
filing for many corporations and LLCs.

Step 4: Review Matching Business Records

Do not assume the first result is the correct company. Compare the entity
name, DOS ID, entity type, jurisdiction, filing date, county, and status
when those fields are available.

A business name alone may not identify the correct entity because several
records can use similar wording. Open the record that matches the
identifying details you already know.

Step 5: Open the Correct Entity Record

Open the entity profile to review the information maintained by the
Division of Corporations. The state record can help confirm an entity’s
legal identity and filing history, but it should not be treated as proof
that the company holds every required license, is financially sound, or
is suitable for a particular transaction.

What Information Appears in a New York Business Record?

New York business records connect an entity to the identifiers, addresses,
status information, and filings held by the Department of State. The exact
fields can vary by entity type and filing history.

• Current Entity Name:
  The legal name currently shown on the Department of State record.
• DOS ID:
  The Department of State identification number assigned to the entity record.
• Entity Type:
  The legal structure, such as a corporation, LLC, limited partnership, or
  limited liability partnership.
• Date of Organization or Authorization:
  The date shown for the entity’s formation or authority in New York.
• Jurisdiction:
  The home jurisdiction when the entity was formed outside New York.
• County Location:
  The county shown on the Department of State record.
• Service of Process Address:
  The address used for forwarding process served through the New York
  Secretary of State.
• Registered Agent:
  The registered agent, if the entity has designated one.
• Current Status:
  The entity’s status on the Department of State record.
• Filing History:
  The state filing history available for the entity.

Business corporation records may also include the chief executive officer
and principal business location when that information has been reported
to the Department of State.

Types of Business Entities You Can Search in New York

The New York Department of State maintains records for several domestic
and foreign entity types. Domestic entities are formed under New York law,
while foreign entities are formed in another jurisdiction and authorized
to do business or conduct activities in New York.

How to Check Business Name Availability in New York

The Corporation and Business Entity Database is useful for researching names that are already on file, but New York does not treat an ordinary database search as a formal
determination that a proposed name is available.

Search Existing Business Names

Start by searching the public database for the proposed name and similar
wording. This can reveal corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and
other entities with names that may be relevant to your research.

Use the database as a research step only. The New York Department of State
specifically cautions users not to interpret public database results as a
determination that a proposed name is available for use.

Request a Formal Name Availability Inquiry

The formal way to determine whether a proposed corporation, LLC, or
limited partnership name is available is to submit a Name Availability
Inquiry to the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations.
The current state fee is $5 per name.

A finding that a name is available is still not final approval of the name.
The Department makes the final filing determination when it reviews the
formation or other filing that uses the proposed name.

Review the Department’s

Corporations and Business Entities FAQs

before relying on a name decision.

How New York Name Distinguishability Works

New York requires certain entity names to be distinguishable from existing
names on file with the Department of State. An LLC name must also include
an approved LLC designator and comply with restrictions on prohibited or
restricted words.

A database result that looks clear does not replace the Department’s legal
review. Brand owners should also consider a separate federal trademark
search because state entity-name acceptance and federal trademark rights
are different issues.

How to Search Assumed Names and DBAs in New York

An assumed name is different from an entity’s legal name. Corporations,
LLCs, and limited partnerships that conduct business under another name
can file a Certificate of Assumed Name with the New York Department of
State.

The exact legal name used on the assumed-name filing can be confirmed
through the Corporation and Business Entity Database. The public inquiry
system also includes assumed-name search functions.

The base filing fee for a Certificate of Assumed Name is generally
$25 for LLCs and limited partnerships. Corporation filings
can include additional county fees, so check the current Department of
State instructions before filing.

Review the

New York Certificate of Assumed Name instructions

for the current filing requirements.

How to Understand New York Business Entity Status

The status field describes the entity’s position on the New York
Department of State record. It should not be read as a guarantee that
the company is currently trading, financially healthy, properly licensed
for every activity, or suitable for a transaction.

A domestic corporation or LLC can remain active on Department of State
records until it is formally dissolved. A foreign corporation or LLC can
remain active until it surrenders or terminates its authority in New York.
A company may therefore stop doing business while its Department of State
record still shows an active status.

If the record shows a dissolution, surrender, revocation, annulment, or
another non-active status, review the filing history and the specific state
documents before drawing conclusions about the entity.

New York City Business Entity Records

Corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other state-filed entities
located in New York City are researched through the same New York
Department of State database used for entities elsewhere in the state.

New York City also maintains separate systems for local licenses and
regulatory records. For example, the Department of Consumer and Worker
Protection provides a separate lookup for businesses and individuals
that hold DCWP licenses.

If you are reviewing a New York City company, use the Department of State
record for the state entity and check the relevant city or state licensing
agency when the business activity requires a license.

You can check certain city licenses through the

NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection license lookup
.

New York Biennial Statements and DOS ID

Most New York business corporations and LLCs must file a Biennial Statement
every two years with the Department of State. The filing period is the
calendar month in which the entity’s original formation or authority
document was filed.

The current Biennial Statement filing fee is $9. To use
the online e-Statement filing system, the filer needs the exact business
name and DOS ID as they appear on the Department of State record.

This creates a direct connection between the business entity database and
ongoing compliance:

Business Record → DOS ID → Biennial Statement → Updated State Record
.

Review the

New York Biennial Statement guidance

for current filing instructions.

Common New York Business Search Problems and Fixes

• No result appears:
  Check spelling and try the main words from the legal name instead of
  relying on one exact phrase.
• Several similar names appear:
  Compare the DOS ID, entity type, jurisdiction, filing date, county,
  and status before opening the record.
• The company uses another name:
  Check whether the entity has an assumed name in addition to its legal name.
• You are checking name availability:
  Use the public database for research, then use a formal Name Availability
  Inquiry when you need the Department’s availability determination.
• The entity is located in New York City:
  Use the state database for the entity record and a separate city lookup
  when you need local licensing information.
• You need proof of status:
  A public search result is different from an official Certificate of Status.
  Order the appropriate certificate from the Department of State when formal
  proof is required.

How to Use New York Business Records for Due Diligence

The Department of State database is most useful when each field answers
a specific question. Begin by confirming the exact legal entity, then use
other official sources when your decision depends on licensing, taxes,
ownership, finances, court records, or other information outside the
Division of Corporations.

• Confirm identity:
  Match the legal name, DOS ID, entity type, and organization or
  authorization date.
• Check jurisdiction:
  Determine whether the entity is domestic or was formed in another
  jurisdiction.
• Review status:
  Read the current Department of State status together with the filing history.
• Locate process information:
  Review the service-of-process address and registered agent, if one is listed.
• Review filing history:
  Check amendments, mergers, dissolutions, name changes, and other filings
  that may explain changes to the record.
• Check licensing separately:
  Confirm professional, state, or local licenses with the agency that
  regulates the business activity.

A New York business entity search confirms information held by the
Department of State. It is a strong starting point for identifying an
entity, but it is not a complete background check by itself.

Starting a Business After the New York Entity Search

If you are researching a name for a new company, use the state database
to review existing entities and complete the formal name-availability
process when needed. The next filing depends on the business structure
you choose.

• LLC:
  A New York LLC is generally formed by filing Articles of Organization
  with the Department of State.
  
  Start an LLC
  .
• Corporation:
  A New York business corporation is generally formed by filing a
  Certificate of Incorporation.
  
  Register a corporation
  .
• Nonprofit:
  A nonprofit corporation follows the applicable New York not-for-profit
  formation rules.
  
  Register a nonprofit
  .

Entity formation, assumed-name filings, licenses, tax registrations, and
Biennial Statements are separate state or local requirements. Completing
one step does not automatically satisfy the others.

New York Business Entity Search FAQs

Is the New York Business Entity Search free?

Yes. The public Corporation and Business Entity Database can be used to
look up entity records without paying a search fee. Separate fees apply
to filings, formal name-availability inquiries, certificates, copies,
and other Department of State services.

Can the database confirm that a business name is available?

No. The New York Department of State cautions that the public entity
database is intended for research and status inquiries, not as a formal
name-availability determination. A formal Name Availability Inquiry
currently costs $5 per name.

What is a New York DOS ID?

A DOS ID is the Department of State identification number associated with
a business entity record. It helps distinguish one entity from similarly
named businesses and is required with the exact entity name for many
online Biennial Statement filings.

What does Active status mean in New York?

Active describes the entity’s status on Department of State records.
A domestic corporation or LLC can remain active until it formally dissolves,
so Active status should not be treated as proof that the business is
currently operating or that every other obligation is current.

How often do New York corporations and LLCs file a Biennial Statement?

Most New York business corporations and LLCs file a Biennial Statement
every two years. The filing period is the calendar month in which the
original formation or authority document was filed, and the current
filing fee is $9.

Are New York City businesses in the state database?

State-filed entities located in New York City, such as corporations and
LLCs, are searched through the New York Department of State database.
City licenses and certain local regulatory records are maintained in
separate New York City systems.

What information can I find in a New York business record?

A record can include the current entity name, organization date,
jurisdiction, county, service-of-process address, registered agent if one
is designated, status, and filing history. Business corporation records
may also include the chief executive officer and principal business
location when reported.