Delaware Secretary of State Business Search
Free access to Delaware's official Secretary of State business entity database (icis.corp.delaware.gov). Search corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and verify business entities registered in Delaware. Delaware is America's most popular state for business incorporation. Complete step-by-step guide and FAQ included.
Delaware Business Database
Direct link to icis.corp.delaware.gov - Free Delaware business search
Why Delaware is America's Most Popular Incorporation State
Delaware is the most popular state for business incorporation, with over 1.8 million business entities registered. Many Fortune 500 companies and startups choose Delaware for incorporation due to:
- •Business-Friendly Laws: Delaware's corporate laws are well-established and favorable to businesses
- •Court of Chancery: Specialized business court with judges experienced in corporate law
- •Privacy Protection: Delaware offers greater privacy for business owners and officers
- •Tax Benefits: No state corporate income tax for businesses operating outside Delaware
- •Investor Familiarity: Investors and attorneys are familiar with Delaware's legal framework
How to Search Delaware Business Entities
Step 1: Access the Official Delaware Division of Corporations Website
Navigate to the official Delaware Division of Corporations website at icis.corp.delaware.gov/ecorp/entitysearch/namesearch.aspx. This is the free, government-operated database for all Delaware business entities.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
Select how you want to search: by entity name, entity number, or file number. The entity name search is most common and allows partial matches. You can also search by registered agent name.
Step 3: Enter Search Criteria
Type the business name in the search field. Try variations: with and without business suffixes (LLC, Inc, Corp), partial names if exact match doesn't work, and check for common abbreviations. Delaware has many businesses, so be specific if possible.
Step 4: Review Search Results
Browse the results list to find your business. Each result shows the entity name, type, and status. Click on a result to view detailed information. Delaware's database is extensive, so you may see many results.
Step 5: View Detailed Entity Information
The detailed view shows incorporation date, current status, registered agent, principal office address, officers/directors, filing history, and stock information (for corporations). Verify all information matches what you expect.
Step 6: Verify Business Status
Check that the business status is 'Active' or 'Good Standing'. If it shows 'Suspended' or 'Dissolved', the business may not be in good standing with the state. Delaware businesses must file annual reports to maintain good standing.
Step 7: Check Filing History
Review the filing history to see recent annual reports and other filings. This helps verify the business is current with its obligations. Delaware requires annual franchise tax payments and reports.
Official Delaware Business Database
The Delaware Division of Corporations maintains the official business entity database through icis.corp.delaware.gov. This free government database contains information about all business entities registered in Delaware, including over 1.8 million active entities.
What's Included in the Database:
- • Corporations: C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit corporations
- • LLCs: Limited Liability Companies (domestic and foreign)
- • Partnerships: Limited partnerships, Limited liability partnerships
- • Foreign Entities: Out-of-state businesses registered in Delaware
- • Business Trusts: Statutory trusts and other business structures
- • Stock Information: For corporations, includes authorized shares and stock classes
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search for a business in Delaware?
To search for a Delaware business, visit the official Delaware Division of Corporations website at icis.corp.delaware.gov/ecorp/entitysearch/namesearch.aspx. You can search by business name, entity number, or file number. The database includes corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities registered in Delaware.
What is the official Delaware Secretary of State business search website?
The official Delaware Secretary of State business search portal is the Delaware Division of Corporations website (icis.corp.delaware.gov). This is the free, government-operated database where you can search for all business entities registered in Delaware, including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships. Delaware is the most popular state for business incorporation.
What information can I find in the Delaware SOS business database?
The Delaware SOS database provides business entity name, entity type (Corporation, LLC, Partnership), incorporation date, current status (Active, Suspended, Dissolved), registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors information, filing history including annual reports, and stock information for corporations.
Is the Delaware business search free?
Yes, the Delaware Secretary of State business entity search is completely free. The official icis.corp.delaware.gov portal provides free access to search and view business entity information. Some third-party sites may charge fees, but the official state database is free.
Why is Delaware popular for business incorporation?
Delaware is the most popular state for business incorporation because it offers favorable corporate laws, business-friendly courts (Court of Chancery), privacy protection for business owners, no state corporate income tax for businesses operating outside Delaware, and a well-established legal framework that's familiar to investors and attorneys.
How do I verify a Delaware business is legitimate?
To verify a Delaware business, search the SOS database for the business name, check that the status shows 'Active' or 'Good Standing', verify the registered agent and address match what you expect, review recent filing history, check the incorporation date, and cross-reference with business licenses if applicable.
Can I search Delaware businesses by owner name?
The Delaware SOS database primarily searches by business entity name, entity number, or file number. To find businesses by owner name, you may need to search by the business name if the owner is listed as an officer or director in the entity details. Delaware offers privacy protection, so owner names may not always be publicly available.
What is the difference between Delaware incorporation and Delaware registration?
Delaware incorporation means the business was formed (incorporated) in Delaware. Delaware registration (foreign qualification) means an out-of-state business registered to do business in Delaware. Both types of entities appear in the Delaware business entity database and can be searched using the same portal.
About Delaware Secretary of State Business Search
What is the Delaware SOS Business Search?
The Delaware Secretary of State business search is the official government database that contains information about all business entities registered in Delaware. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures operating in DE.
When you search "secretary of state delaware business search" or "DE SOS business search," you're looking for this official database to verify business registrations, check entity status, and conduct due diligence on Delaware businesses.
What Information Can You Find?
- •Business entity name and type (Corporation, LLC, etc.)
- •Incorporation date and current status
- •Registered agent information
- •Principal office address
- •Officers and directors (for corporations)
- •Annual report and franchise tax status
- •Stock information (authorized shares, classes)
Why Use the Official Delaware SOS Database?
The official Delaware Division of Corporations database (icis.corp.delaware.gov) is the most reliable source for business entity information. It's free, updated in real-time, and provides authoritative data directly from the state government. Unlike third-party services that may charge fees or have outdated information, the official database ensures you're getting accurate, current business entity data for Delaware. With over 1.8 million entities, Delaware's database is one of the most comprehensive in the nation.
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