North Carolina Secretary of State Business Search
Free access to North Carolina's official Secretary of State business entity database (North Carolina Secretary of State Business Database (sosnc.gov)). Search corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and verify business entities registered in North Carolina. Complete step-by-step guide and FAQ included.
North Carolina Business Database
Direct link to North Carolina Secretary of State Business Database - Free North Carolina business search
How to Search North Carolina Business Entities
Step 1: Access the Official North Carolina SOS Website
Navigate to the official North Carolina Secretary of State business entity search portal at sosnc.gov/online_services/search/by_title/search_Business_Registration. You can also access business information through commerce.nc.gov/data-tools-reports/business-information-reports or accessnc.nccommerce.com/business/business_custom_search_infogroup.html. These are the free, government-operated databases for all North Carolina business entities including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
Select how you want to search: by business name (most common), business ID number, or registered agent name. The business name search allows partial matches and supports searching by name, industry, region, size, or keyword. 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. North Carolina's search is case-insensitive and supports partial name matching for more flexible results. You can also filter by industry, region, or business size.
Step 4: Review Search Results
Browse the results list to find your business. Each result shows the entity name, type, status, and business ID number. Click on a result to view detailed information. North Carolina'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The detailed view shows registration date, current status (Active, Dissolved, Merged, Withdrawn), registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors, business ID number, assumed business names (DBAs), and filing history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. North Carolina requires annual reports to maintain active status.
Official North Carolina Business Database
The North Carolina Secretary of State maintains the official business entity database through <strong className="text-white">North Carolina Secretary of State Business Database (sosnc.gov)</strong>. This free government database contains information about all business entities registered in North Carolina.
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 North Carolina
- • 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 North Carolina?
To search for a North Carolina business, visit the official North Carolina Secretary of State business entity search portal at sosnc.gov/online_services/search/by_title/search_Business_Registration. You can also access business information through commerce.nc.gov/data-tools-reports/business-information-reports or accessnc.nccommerce.com/business/business_custom_search_infogroup.html. You can search by business name, business ID number, or registered agent name. The database includes corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other business entities registered in North Carolina.
What is the official North Carolina Secretary of State business search website?
The official North Carolina Secretary of State business entity search portal is available at sosnc.gov/online_services/search/by_title/search_Business_Registration. You can also access business information through commerce.nc.gov/data-tools-reports/business-information-reports or accessnc.nccommerce.com/business/business_custom_search_infogroup.html. This is the free, government-operated database where you can search for all business entities registered in North Carolina, including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
What information can I find in the North Carolina SOS business database?
The North Carolina SOS 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, business ID number, assumed business names (DBAs), and filing history including annual reports and amendments.
Is the North Carolina business search free?
Yes, the North Carolina Secretary of State business entity search is completely free. The official search portal at sosnc.gov/online_services/search/by_title/search_Business_Registration 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 North Carolina business is legitimate?
To verify a North Carolina 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 business ID number, and cross-reference with business licenses if applicable. Always use the official North Carolina Secretary of State database for verification.
Can I search North Carolina businesses by owner name?
The North Carolina SOS database primarily searches by business entity name, business ID number, or registered agent name. 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 North Carolina?
North Carolina 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 North Carolina. All of these can be searched through the official database at sosnc.gov/online_services/search/by_title/search_Business_Registration.
How do I check if a business name is available in North Carolina?
To check if a business name is available in North Carolina, use the official business search at sosnc.gov/online_services/search/by_title/search_Business_Registration. 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 North Carolina Secretary of State for official name availability confirmation before filing. North Carolina requires that business names be distinguishable from existing entities.
What is an Assumed Business Name in North Carolina?
An Assumed Business Name (also called a DBA - Doing Business As) is required in North Carolina if you plan to operate under a name different from your legal business name. You must file an Assumed Business Name Certificate with the Secretary of State. The process has been streamlined to allow filers to designate multiple counties for conducting business on one filing.
What is the difference between sosnc.gov and commerce.nc.gov?
sosnc.gov is the North Carolina Secretary of State website that provides direct access to business entity searches and online filing services. commerce.nc.gov provides business information reports and additional business data tools through the North Carolina Department of Commerce. Both provide access to business entity information, with sosnc.gov being the primary portal for business registration searches.
How often do North Carolina businesses need to file annual reports?
North Carolina requires most business entities to file annual reports to maintain active status. The filing requirements and deadlines vary by entity type. Corporations and LLCs typically must file annual reports with the North Carolina Secretary 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 North Carolina Secretary of State Business Search
What is the North Carolina SOS Business Search?
The North Carolina Secretary of State business search is the official government database that contains information about all business entities registered in North Carolina. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures operating in NC.
When you search "secretary of state nc business search," you're looking for this official database to verify business registrations, check entity status, and conduct due diligence on North Carolina 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 North Carolina SOS Database?
The official North Carolina Secretary of State database (North Carolina Secretary of State Business Database (sosnc.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 North Carolina. Always verify business entities through the official NC SOS database before entering into business relationships or financial transactions.
Trusted by Business Professionals
Streamlined Processing
Verify business entities instantly for faster underwriting and loan processing
Research Made Easy
Access comprehensive business data across all states for thorough due diligence
Stay Compliant
Keep track of your business filings and ensure regulatory compliance
Chrome Extension
Professional Business Research Tool
Get instant access to business entity searches across all 50 states directly from your browser. Perfect for processors, underwriters, researchers, and business owners.
Save $16
Join 2,000+ users saving time with business verification