Business Entity Research (USA)
Here is a list of links to state databases that provide business incorporation records. Most of these are available via state Department of State or Secretary of State websites. These databases should be helpful for service of process research (to identify registered agents). The list also includes information for the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.
Please note that some states do not provide online records for businesses that operate under an assumed name (also called "dba" or "doing business as" or "fictitious name" entities). For information about dba entities, you may need to contact either the office of the clerk of the county where the business operates or the office of the Department/Secretary of State of the state where the business operates. Alternatively, a commercial service such as Dun & Bradstreet should be able to provide assistance in identifying dba entities.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- American Samoa [contact local Dep't of Commerce]
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia [registration required]
- Florida
- Georgia
- Guam [contact local Dep’t of Revenue & Taxation]
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey [unavailable from 12:00AM to 5:00AM EST]
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Northern Marianas Islands [contact local Registrar of Corporations]
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas [registration required]
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia [review help file for search instructions]
- Virgin Islands [contact the Division of Corporations & Trademarks of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor]
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming