North Dakota Secretary of State Business Search
Free access to North Dakota's official Secretary of State business entity database (North Dakota Secretary of State FirstStop Portal (firststop.sos.nd.gov)). Search corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and verify business entities registered in North Dakota. Complete step-by-step guide and FAQ included.
North Dakota Business Database
Direct link to North Dakota Secretary of State FirstStop Portal - Free North Dakota business search
How to Search North Dakota Business Entities
Step 1: Access the Official North Dakota FirstStop Portal
Navigate to the official North Dakota Secretary of State business entity search portal at firststop.sos.nd.gov/search. You can also access it through firststop.sos.nd.gov/ or sos.nd.gov/business/business-services. These are the free, government-operated databases for all North Dakota business entities including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
Select how you want to search: by business name (most common), SOS Control ID, or registered agent name. The business name search allows basic searches and advanced searches with filters. You can use 'Contains' or 'Starts With' options, and filter results to show only active business entities. 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 Dakota's search is case-insensitive and supports partial name matching. Use the advanced search option to filter by active status or use 'Contains' or 'Starts With' filters for more precise results.
Step 4: Review Search Results
Browse the results list to find your business. Each result shows the business name, form information, SOS Control ID, standing, and filing date. Click on a business name to view detailed information. North Dakota'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 (shown in a side panel) provides comprehensive information including filing type, status, inactive date (if applicable), owner name and address, nature of business, term of duration, initial filing date, expiration date, principal and mailing addresses, 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 shows 'Active' or 'Good Standing'. If it shows 'Inactive', '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 Dakota requires annual reports to maintain active status.
Official North Dakota Business Database
The North Dakota Secretary of State maintains the official business entity database through <strong className="text-white">North Dakota Secretary of State FirstStop Portal (firststop.sos.nd.gov)</strong>. This free government database contains information about all business entities registered in North Dakota.
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 Dakota
- • 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 Dakota?
To search for a North Dakota business, visit the official North Dakota Secretary of State FirstStop Portal at firststop.sos.nd.gov/search. You can also access it through firststop.sos.nd.gov/ or sos.nd.gov/business/business-services. You can search by business name, SOS Control ID, or registered agent name. The database includes corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other business entities registered in North Dakota.
What is the official North Dakota Secretary of State business search website?
The official North Dakota Secretary of State business entity search portal is available at firststop.sos.nd.gov/search. You can also access it through firststop.sos.nd.gov/ or sos.nd.gov/business/business-services. This is the free, government-operated database where you can search for all business entities registered in North Dakota, including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
What information can I find in the North Dakota SOS business database?
The North Dakota SOS database provides business name, form information, SOS Control ID, standing (status), filing date, filing type, inactive date (if applicable), owner name and address, nature of business, term of duration, initial filing date, expiration date, principal and mailing addresses, and filing history.
Is the North Dakota business search free?
Yes, the North Dakota Secretary of State business entity search is completely free. The official search portal at firststop.sos.nd.gov/search 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 Dakota business is legitimate?
To verify a North Dakota business, search the FirstStop Portal for the business name, check that the status shows 'Active' or 'Good Standing', verify the owner and address match what you expect, review the initial filing date and expiration date, check the SOS Control ID, and cross-reference with business licenses if applicable. Always use the official North Dakota Secretary of State database for verification.
Can I search North Dakota businesses by owner name?
The North Dakota SOS database primarily searches by business entity name, SOS Control ID, or registered agent name. To find businesses by owner name, you may need to search by the business name if the owner is listed in the entity details. The detailed entity view shows owner name and address information.
What types of business entities are registered in North Dakota?
North Dakota 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 Dakota. All of these can be searched through the official database at firststop.sos.nd.gov/search.
How do I check if a business name is available in North Dakota?
To check if a business name is available in North Dakota, use the official business search at firststop.sos.nd.gov/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 North Dakota Secretary of State for official name availability confirmation before filing. North Dakota requires that business names be distinguishable from existing entities.
What is the FirstStop Portal in North Dakota?
The FirstStop Portal (firststop.sos.nd.gov) is North Dakota's online business services portal that provides access to business entity searches, online filings, and other business services. It is the primary portal for searching and managing business entities registered with the North Dakota Secretary of State.
What is a SOS Control ID in North Dakota?
A SOS Control ID is the unique identifier assigned by the North Dakota Secretary 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 SOS Control ID in the FirstStop Portal.
How often do North Dakota businesses need to file annual reports?
North Dakota 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 Dakota 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 Dakota Secretary of State Business Search
What is the North Dakota SOS Business Search?
The North Dakota Secretary of State business search is the official government database that contains information about all business entities registered in North Dakota. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures operating in ND.
When you search "secretary of state nd business search," you're looking for this official database to verify business registrations, check entity status, and conduct due diligence on North Dakota 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 Dakota SOS Database?
The official North Dakota Secretary of State database (North Dakota Secretary of State FirstStop Portal (firststop.sos.nd.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 Dakota. Always verify business entities through the official ND SOS database before entering into business relationships or financial transactions.
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