Kentucky Secretary of State Business Search
Free access to Kentucky's official Secretary of State business entity database (Kentucky Business Entity Search (sosbes.sos.ky.gov)). Search corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and verify business entities registered in Kentucky. Complete step-by-step guide and FAQ included.
Kentucky Business Database
Direct link to Kentucky Business Entity Search - Free Kentucky business search
How to Search Kentucky Business Entities
Step 1: Access the Official Kentucky SOS Website
Navigate to the official Kentucky Secretary of State business entity search portal at sosbes.sos.ky.gov/BusSearchNProfile/search.aspx. You can also access it through sos.ky.gov/bus/business-filings/OnlineServices or kentucky.gov/business. These are the free, government-operated databases for all Kentucky business entities.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
Select how you want to search: by business name (most common), organization number, city, or zip code. The business name search allows partial matches and is the most frequently used method for finding Kentucky businesses. 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, L.L.C.), partial names if exact match doesn't work, and check for common abbreviations. Kentucky's search is case-insensitive and supports wildcard searches for more flexible results.
Step 4: Review Search Results
Browse the results list to find your business. Each result shows the entity name, type, status, and organization number. Click on a result to view detailed information. Kentucky's database typically shows multiple results if there are similar business names, so review carefully.
Step 5: View Detailed Entity Information
The detailed view shows registration date, current status (Active, Dissolved, Merged, Withdrawn), registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors, and filing history. 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 If it shows 'Dissolved', 'Merged', 'Withdrawn', or 'Revoked', the business may not be in good standing with the state.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.
Official Kentucky Business Database
The Kentucky Secretary of State maintains the official business entity database through <strong className="text-white">Kentucky Business Entity Search (sosbes.sos.ky.gov)</strong>. This free government database contains information about all business entities registered in Kentucky.
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 Kentucky
- • 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 Kentucky?
To search for a Kentucky business, visit the official Kentucky Secretary of State business entity search portal at sosbes.sos.ky.gov/BusSearchNProfile/search.aspx. You can search by business name, organization number, city, or zip code. The database includes corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities registered in Kentucky.
What is the official Kentucky Secretary of State business search website?
The official Kentucky Secretary of State business search portal is available at sosbes.sos.ky.gov/BusSearchNProfile/search.aspx. You can also access it through sos.ky.gov/bus/business-filings/OnlineServices or kentucky.gov/business. This is the free, government-operated database where you can search for all business entities registered in Kentucky.
What information can I find in the Kentucky SOS business database?
The Kentucky SOS database provides business entity name, entity type (Corporation, LLC, Partnership), registration date, current status (Active, Dissolved, Merged, Withdrawn), registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors information, organization number, and filing history including annual reports and amendments.
Is the Kentucky business search free?
Yes, the Kentucky Secretary of State business entity search is completely free. The official search portal at sosbes.sos.ky.gov provides 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 Kentucky business is legitimate?
To verify a Kentucky 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 organization number, and cross-reference with business licenses if applicable. Always use the official Kentucky SOS database for verification.
Can I search Kentucky businesses by owner name?
The Kentucky SOS database primarily searches by business entity name, organization number, city, or zip code. 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, or use the registered agent search function.
What types of business entities are registered in Kentucky?
Kentucky 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 Kentucky. All of these can be searched through the official database.
How do I check if a business name is available in Kentucky?
To check if a business name is available in Kentucky, use the official business search at sosbes.sos.ky.gov/BusSearchNProfile/search.aspx. Search for the exact name you want to use. If no results appear, the name may be available. You can also reserve a business name for up to 120 days with a $15 fee through the Kentucky Business One Stop portal at onestop.ky.gov.
About Kentucky Secretary of State Business Search
What is the Kentucky SOS Business Search?
The Kentucky Secretary of State business search is the official government database that contains information about all business entities registered in Kentucky. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures operating in KY.
When you search "secretary of state ky business search," you're looking for this official database to verify business registrations, check entity status, and conduct due diligence on Kentucky 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 Kentucky SOS Database?
The official Kentucky Secretary of State database (Kentucky Business Entity Search (sosbes.sos.ky.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 Kentucky. Always verify business entities through the official KY SOS database before entering into business relationships or financial transactions.
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