Mississippi Secretary of State Business Search
Free access to Mississippi's official Secretary of State business entity database (Mississippi Secretary of State Business Services (corp.sos.ms.gov)). Search corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and verify business entities registered in Mississippi. Complete step-by-step guide and FAQ included.
Mississippi Business Database
Direct link to Mississippi Secretary of State Business Services - Free Mississippi business search
How to Search Mississippi Business Entities
Step 1: Access the Official Mississippi Business Entity Search Website
Navigate to the official Mississippi Secretary of State Business Entity Search portal at corp.sos.ms.gov/corp/portal/c/page/corpBusinessIdSearch/portal.aspx or business.sos.ms.gov/. You can also access it through sos.ms.gov/business-services-regulation. These are the free, government-operated databases for all Mississippi business entities.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
Select how you want to search: by business name (most common), Business ID, officer name, or registered agent name. The business name search allows you to specify how the search term should match using options like 'Starting With', 'All Words', 'Any Words', 'Sounds Like', or 'Exact Match'. This helps refine your search results.
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. Mississippi's search supports multiple matching modes. The search is case-insensitive.
Step 4: Review Search Results
Browse the results list to find your business. Each result shows the business name, Business ID, entity type, status, and creation date. Click on the 'Details' button next to an entity to view comprehensive information. Mississippi'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 Business ID, business name, name history, entity type (Corporation, LLC, Partnership), status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved), effective date, state of incorporation, principal office address, registered agent name and address, officers and directors information, and filing history. Verify all information matches what you expect for the business you're researching.
Step 6: Verify Business Status and Check Annual Reports
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. Mississippi requires annual reports for all for-profit corporations, nonprofit corporations, and LLCs. Annual reports are due by April 15th for corporations and LLCs, and by May 15th for nonprofit corporations. Failure to file may result in administrative dissolution.
Official Mississippi Business Database
The Mississippi Secretary of State maintains the official business entity database through <strong className="text-white">Mississippi Secretary of State Business Services (corp.sos.ms.gov)</strong>. This free government database contains information about all business entities registered in Mississippi.
What's Included in the Database:
- • Corporations: For-profit corporations, 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 Mississippi
- • 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 Mississippi?
To search for a Mississippi business, visit the official Mississippi Secretary of State Business Entity Search portal at corp.sos.ms.gov/corp/portal/c/page/corpBusinessIdSearch/portal.aspx or business.sos.ms.gov/. You can also access it through sos.ms.gov/business-services-regulation. You can search by business name, Business ID, officer name, or registered agent name. The database includes corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities registered in Mississippi.
What is the official Mississippi Secretary of State business search website?
The official Mississippi business entity search portal is the Business Entity Search, available at corp.sos.ms.gov/corp/portal/c/page/corpBusinessIdSearch/portal.aspx or business.sos.ms.gov/. You can also access it through sos.ms.gov/business-services-regulation. This is the free, government-operated database where you can search for all business entities registered in Mississippi, including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
What information can I find in the Mississippi Business Entity Search database?
The Mississippi Business Entity Search database provides Business ID, business name, name history, entity type (Corporation, LLC, Partnership), status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved), effective date, state of incorporation, principal office address, registered agent name and address, officers and directors information, and filing history. The search tool allows you to verify business legitimacy, check name availability, and review company status.
Is the Mississippi business search free?
Yes, the Mississippi Business Entity Search is completely free. The official search portals (corp.sos.ms.gov and business.sos.ms.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 Mississippi business is legitimate?
To verify a Mississippi business, search the Business Entity Search 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 including annual reports, check the Business ID, and cross-reference with business licenses if applicable. Always use the official Mississippi Secretary of State database for verification.
Can I search Mississippi businesses by owner name?
The Mississippi Business Entity Search database allows you to search by officer name, which may include business owners. You can also search by business name, Business ID, or registered agent name. To find businesses by owner name, use the officer name search function, or check the officers and directors information in the detailed entity view.
What types of business entities are registered in Mississippi?
Mississippi registers various business entity types including for-profit corporations, nonprofit corporations, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), partnerships (General, Limited, Limited Liability), professional entities, and foreign entities registered to do business in Mississippi. All of these can be searched through the official Mississippi Business Entity Search database.
How do I check if a business name is available in Mississippi?
To check if a business name is available in Mississippi, use the official Mississippi Business Entity Search at corp.sos.ms.gov/corp/portal/c/page/corpBusinessIdSearch/portal.aspx or business.sos.ms.gov/. Search for the exact name you want to use using different matching modes ('Starting With', 'All Words', 'Any Words', 'Sounds Like', 'Exact Match'). If no results appear, the name may be available. However, you should also check for similar names and consult with the Mississippi Secretary of State for official name availability confirmation before filing.
Does Mississippi require annual reports?
Yes, Mississippi requires annual reports for all for-profit corporations, nonprofit corporations, and LLCs. Annual reports are due by April 15th for corporations and LLCs, and by May 15th for nonprofit corporations. These reports must be filed online with the Mississippi Secretary of State to maintain active status. Failure to file annual reports may result in administrative dissolution. Check the entity's filing history in the business search database to verify current compliance.
What is a Business ID in Mississippi?
A Business ID in Mississippi is a unique identifier assigned to each business entity when it is registered with the Mississippi Secretary of State. You can use this Business ID to search for a specific business entity in the Business Entity Search database. The Business ID appears in search results and detailed entity information.
What search matching modes are available in Mississippi?
The Mississippi Business Entity Search offers several search matching modes to help refine your search: 'Starting With' (finds names that begin with your search term), 'All Words' (finds names containing all of your search words), 'Any Words' (finds names containing any of your search words), 'Sounds Like' (finds names that sound similar to your search term), and 'Exact Match' (finds names that exactly match your search term). These options help you find businesses even if you're not sure of the exact spelling or format.
What is name history in Mississippi business records?
Name history in Mississippi business records shows any previous names that the business entity has used. This information is useful for tracking business name changes over time. When viewing detailed entity information in the Business Entity Search, you can see the name history to understand how the business name has evolved since its formation.
About Mississippi Secretary of State Business Search
What is the Mississippi SOS Business Search?
The Mississippi Secretary of State business search is the official government database that contains information about all business entities registered in Mississippi. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures operating in MS.
When you search "secretary of state ms business search," you're looking for this official database to verify business registrations, check entity status, and conduct due diligence on Mississippi 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 Mississippi SOS Database?
The official Mississippi Secretary of State database (Mississippi Secretary of State Business Services (corp.sos.ms.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 Mississippi. Always verify business entities through the official MS SOS database before entering into business relationships or financial transactions.
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