Hawaii Secretary of State Business Search
Free access to Hawaii's official Secretary of State business entity database (Hawaii Business Express (hbe.ehawaii.gov)). Search corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and verify business entities registered in Hawaii. Complete step-by-step guide and FAQ included.
Hawaii Business Database
Direct link to Hawaii Business Express - Free Hawaii business search
How to Search Hawaii Business Entities
Step 1: Access the Official Hawaii Business Express Website
Navigate to the official Hawaii Business Express business entity search portal at hbe.ehawaii.gov/documents/search.html or portal.ehawaii.gov/home/online-services/business-search/. You can also access it through cca.hawaii.gov/breg/online/biz-name_link/ or hbe.ehawaii.gov/BizEx/. These are the free, government-operated databases maintained by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for all Hawaii business entities.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
Select how you want to search: by business name (most common), entity number, or registered agent name. The business name search allows partial matches and is the most frequently used method for finding Hawaii businesses. You can also search by document type or filing date range.
Step 3: Enter Search Criteria
Type the business name in the search field. Try variations: with and without business suffixes (LLC, Inc, Corp, L.L.C.), partial names if exact match doesn't work, and check for common abbreviations. Hawaii's search is case-insensitive and supports flexible matching. Be aware that Hawaii uses General Excise Tax (GET) instead of traditional sales tax.
Step 4: Review Search Results
Browse the results list to find your business. Each result shows the entity name, type, status, and entity number. Click on a result to view detailed information. Hawaii's database typically shows multiple results if there are similar business names, so review carefully to find the correct entity.
Step 5: View Detailed Entity Information
The detailed view shows registration date, current status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved), registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors, entity number, filing history including annual reports and amendments, and document images. Verify all information matches what you expect for the business you're researching.
Step 6: Verify Business Status
Check that the business status is 'Active' or shows 'Good Standing'. If it shows 'Inactive', 'Dissolved', or 'Revoked', the business may not be in good standing with the state. Active status indicates the business is current with all required filings and annual reports. Hawaii requires annual reports and businesses must comply with General Excise Tax requirements.
Official Hawaii Business Database
The Hawaii Secretary of State maintains the official business entity database through <strong className="text-white">Hawaii Business Express (hbe.ehawaii.gov)</strong>. This free government database contains information about all business entities registered in Hawaii.
What's Included in the Database:
- • Corporations: C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit corporations, Professional corporations
- • LLCs: Limited Liability Companies (domestic and foreign), Professional LLCs
- • Partnerships: General partnerships, Limited partnerships, Limited liability partnerships
- • Foreign Entities: Out-of-state businesses registered to do business in Hawaii
- • Professional Entities: Professional corporations and professional LLCs
- • Business Trusts: Statutory trusts and other business structures
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search for a business in Hawaii?
To search for a Hawaii business, visit the official Hawaii Business Express business entity search portal at hbe.ehawaii.gov/documents/search.html or portal.ehawaii.gov/home/online-services/business-search/. You can also access it through cca.hawaii.gov/breg/online/biz-name_link/ or hbe.ehawaii.gov/BizEx/. You can search by business name, entity number, or registered agent name. The database includes corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities registered in Hawaii.
What is the official Hawaii Secretary of State business search website?
The official Hawaii business entity search portal is Hawaii Business Express, maintained by the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, available at hbe.ehawaii.gov/documents/search.html or portal.ehawaii.gov/home/online-services/business-search/. You can also access it through cca.hawaii.gov/breg/online/biz-name_link/ or hbe.ehawaii.gov/BizEx/. This is the free, government-operated database where you can search for all business entities registered in Hawaii, including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
What information can I find in the Hawaii Business Express database?
The Hawaii Business Express database provides business entity name, entity type (Corporation, LLC, Partnership), registration date, current status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved), registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors information, entity number, filing history including annual reports and amendments, and document images for viewing filed documents.
Is the Hawaii business search free?
Yes, the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs business entity search through Hawaii Business Express is completely free. The official search portals (hbe.ehawaii.gov and portal.ehawaii.gov) provide free access to search and view business entity information. Some third-party sites may charge fees, but the official state database is free to use.
How do I verify a Hawaii business is legitimate?
To verify a Hawaii business, search the Hawaii Business Express 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 entity number, and cross-reference with business licenses if applicable. Always use the official Hawaii Business Express database maintained by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for verification.
Can I search Hawaii businesses by owner name?
The Hawaii Business Express database allows you to search by registered agent name, which may include business owners. You can also search by business name or entity number. To find businesses by owner name, use the registered agent search function if the owner is listed as a registered agent, or check the officers and directors information in the detailed entity view.
What types of business entities are registered in Hawaii?
Hawaii registers various business entity types including corporations (C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit), Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), partnerships (General, Limited, Limited Liability), professional entities, and foreign entities registered to do business in Hawaii. All of these can be searched through the official Hawaii Business Express database maintained by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
How do I check if a business name is available in Hawaii?
To check if a business name is available in Hawaii, use the official Hawaii Business Express business search at hbe.ehawaii.gov/documents/search.html or portal.ehawaii.gov/home/online-services/business-search/. Search for the exact name you want to use. If no results appear, the name may be available. However, you should also check for similar names and consult with the Hawaii Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for official name availability confirmation before filing.
About Hawaii Secretary of State Business Search
What is the Hawaii SOS Business Search?
The Hawaii Secretary of State business search is the official government database that contains information about all business entities registered in Hawaii. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures operating in HI.
When you search "secretary of state hi business search," you're looking for this official database to verify business registrations, check entity status, and conduct due diligence on Hawaii businesses.
What Information Can You Find?
- •Business entity name and type (Corporation, LLC, etc.)
- •Registration date and current status
- •Registered agent information
- •Principal office address
- •Officers and directors (for corporations)
- •Annual report filing status
Why Use the Official Hawaii SOS Database?
The official Hawaii Secretary of State database (Hawaii Business Express (hbe.ehawaii.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 Hawaii. Always verify business entities through the official HI SOS database before entering into business relationships or financial transactions.
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