New York Secretary of State Business Search
Free access to New York's official Secretary of State business entity database (New York Department of State Business Database (apps.dos.ny.gov)). Search corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and verify business entities registered in New York. Complete step-by-step guide and FAQ included.
New York Business Database
Direct link to New York Department of State Business Database - Free New York business search
How to Search New York Business Entities
Step 1: Access the Official New York DOS Website
Navigate to the official New York Department of State business entity search portal at apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/. You can also access it through dos.ny.gov/existing-corporations-and-businesses. These are the free, government-operated databases for all New York business entities including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships. Note that New York City has a separate business database at apps.nyc.gov/dbnyc/ for NYC-specific business licenses.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
Select how you want to search: by entity name (most common), DOS ID number, or assumed name (DBA). The entity name search allows partial matches and is the most frequently used method for finding New York businesses. You can search for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other business entities.
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. New York's search is case-insensitive and supports partial name matching for more flexible results. You can also search by DOS ID number if you have it.
Step 4: Review Search Results
Browse the results list to find your business. Each result shows the entity name, type, status, and DOS ID number. Click on a result or use apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/EntityDisplay to view detailed information. New York'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The detailed view shows registration date, current status (Active, Dissolved, Merged, Withdrawn), registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors, DOS ID number, assumed names (DBAs), and filing history including annual reports and amendments. 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. New York requires biennial statements (every two years) to maintain active status for most entities.
Official New York Business Database
The New York Secretary of State maintains the official business entity database through <strong className="text-white">New York Department of State Business Database (apps.dos.ny.gov)</strong>. This free government database contains information about all business entities registered in New York.
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: Limited partnerships, Limited liability partnerships
- • Foreign Entities: Out-of-state businesses registered to do business in New York
- • 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 New York?
To search for a New York business, visit the official New York Department of State business entity search portal at apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/. You can also access it through dos.ny.gov/existing-corporations-and-businesses. You can search by entity name, DOS ID number, or assumed name (DBA). The database includes corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other business entities registered in New York.
What is the official New York Department of State business search website?
The official New York Department of State business entity search portal is available at apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/. You can also access it through dos.ny.gov/existing-corporations-and-businesses. This is the free, government-operated database where you can search for all business entities registered in New York, including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
What information can I find in the New York DOS business database?
The New York DOS database provides business entity name, entity type (Corporation, LLC, Limited Partnership), registration date, current status (Active, Dissolved, Merged, Withdrawn), registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors information, DOS ID number, assumed names (DBAs), and filing history including biennial statements and amendments.
Is the New York business search free?
Yes, the New York Department of State business entity search is completely free. The official search portal at apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/ 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 New York business is legitimate?
To verify a New York business, search the DOS 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 DOS ID number, and cross-reference with business licenses if applicable. Always use the official New York Department of State database for verification.
Can I search New York businesses by owner name?
The New York DOS database primarily searches by business entity name, DOS ID number, or assumed name (DBA). 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. The detailed entity view shows officers and directors information.
What types of business entities are registered in New York?
New York registers various business entity types including corporations (C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit), Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, professional entities, and foreign entities registered to do business in New York. All of these can be searched through the official database at apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/.
How do I check if a business name is available in New York?
To check if a business name is available in New York, use the official business search at apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/. 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 New York Department of State for official name availability confirmation before filing. New York requires that business names be distinguishable from existing entities.
What is the difference between New York State and New York City business searches?
New York State business entity searches are conducted through apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/ for state-level registrations (corporations, LLCs, partnerships). New York City has a separate business database at apps.nyc.gov/dbnyc/ for NYC-specific business licenses and registrations. Both may be needed to fully verify a business operating in New York City.
What is a DOS ID number in New York?
A DOS ID number is the unique identifier assigned by the New York Department of State to each business entity registered in the state. This number is used for official filings, searches, and record-keeping. You can search for businesses using their DOS ID number in the public inquiry database.
How often do New York businesses need to file biennial statements?
New York requires most business entities to file biennial statements (every two years) to maintain active status. The filing requirements and deadlines vary by entity type. Corporations and LLCs typically must file biennial statements with the New York Department of State. Check the entity's detailed information in the database to see filing history and status. Late filings may result in penalties or administrative dissolution.
About New York Secretary of State Business Search
What is the New York SOS Business Search?
The New York Secretary of State business search is the official government database that contains information about all business entities registered in New York. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures operating in NY.
When you search "secretary of state ny business search," you're looking for this official database to verify business registrations, check entity status, and conduct due diligence on New York 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 New York SOS Database?
The official New York Secretary of State database (New York Department of State Business Database (apps.dos.ny.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 New York. Always verify business entities through the official NY SOS database before entering into business relationships or financial transactions.
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