Guides and glossary

Background for anyone searching business records or choosing a name. For a specific state's search, fees and deadlines, use the state guides.

How-to guides

• How to check if a business name is takenThe state search is step one, not the whole job. Here is the full check, in order.
• What business search results meanStatus words differ from state to state. This is how to read a record wherever you are searching.
• What to do if your business name is takenA taken name is usually a small detour. These are the realistic ways around it, cheapest first.
• Business name, DBA and trademark: the differenceThree registrations that get confused constantly. Each protects something different, and none of them covers the others.
• How to find out who owns a businessState records often name the people running a company, but not always the owners. Here is where to look and what the limits are.
• How to verify a business is legitimateTen minutes with free public records answers most of what you need to know before you send money.
• LLC, corporation or nonprofit: which are you forming?Our name check asks which type you're forming. This is the short version of what each one is for.

Glossary

The terms that appear in state business searches. See all definitions.

• Administrative dissolution
• Annual report
• Articles of incorporation
• Articles of organization
• Certificate of good standing
• DBA (doing business as)
• Distinguishable name
• EIN (employer identification number)
• Entity ID number
• Foreign qualification
• Good standing
• Name reservation
• Operating agreement
• Registered agent

Tools

• Check a business name in any state
• New business applications by state, from Census Bureau data