Search New York Corporations, LLCs & Business Records
The official New York Corporation and Business Entity Database lets you search corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, LLPs and assumed-name records maintained by the Department of State.
The most useful identifier is the DOS ID. Once you find the correct entity, save that number before requesting certificates, copies, filing a biennial statement or dealing with service-of-process questions.
Fastest search: choose Entity Name, enter the strongest unique words and use Contains if you do not know the exact legal wording.
Exact search: choose DOS ID when you already have the Department of State identifier.
Name availability warning: the database is for researching entities already on file. New York explicitly says it should not be treated as an official determination that a new business name is available.
How to Search the New York DOS Business Database
The current Public Inquiry search has more options than a simple business-name box. Most users should start with Entity Name and broaden the match before assuming a record is missing.
- Open the New York Corporation and Business Entity Database.
- Choose Entity Name under Search By for a normal business lookup.
- Enter the strongest distinctive part of the business name.
- Use Contains when the full legal wording is uncertain.
- Select the relevant entity categories, such as Corporation or Limited Liability Company.
- Use All Statuses if you are researching an older or dissolved entity.
- Open the matching record and save its DOS ID.
New York Search Options Explained
| Option | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Entity Name | Searches legal entity names. | Best starting point for most LLC and corporation lookups. |
| DOS ID | Searches the specific Department of State entity identifier. | Use when you already have the exact DOS ID from a filing, notice or prior search. |
| Assumed Name | Searches business names filed as assumed names or DBAs. | Useful when the public-facing name differs from the legal entity name. |
| Assumed Name ID | Searches a specific assumed-name record by its ID. | Use only when that identifier is already known. |
| Begins With | Finds names beginning with the words entered. | Useful when you know the first part of the legal name. |
| Contains | Finds names containing the search words. | Best broad-search option when wording is uncertain. |
| Base Word | Uses the state’s base-word matching logic. | Useful as an additional search when Begins With or Contains does not find the expected record. |
| Status filter | Lets you narrow to All Statuses, Active, Inactive or Suspended. | Choose All Statuses for historical research or an entity you suspect is no longer active. |
What a New York Entity Record Can Tell You
Identity and status
- Current entity name
- DOS ID
- Entity type
- Date of organization or authorization
- Jurisdiction if formed outside New York
- County location
- Current status
Addresses and filing information
- Address where the Secretary of State forwards service of process
- Registered agent, if one has been designated
- Filing history available for the record
- Business-corporation CEO information when available from a biennial statement
- Principal business location for some business corporations
Can You Find the Owner, Members or Directors in the NY DOS Database?
Not reliably. The New York Department of State says it does not generally require or maintain the names and addresses of corporation officers or directors, LLC members or managers, limited partners, or LLP partners.
For a business corporation, the DOS record may contain the name and address of the chief executive officer and the principal business location if that information was reported in the corporation’s Biennial Statement.
New York Business Name Availability Is a Separate Process
The public database is useful for screening similar names, but NY DOS says the only official way to determine name availability for a corporation, LLC or limited partnership is to submit a name-availability inquiry.
- Search the proposed name in the public database.
- Search the strongest words separately.
- Try Begins With and Contains.
- Check similar spellings, plurals and abbreviations.
- Then submit the official name-availability inquiry if the filing decision depends on the answer.
| Name service | Current fee | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Name availability inquiry | $5 per name | Official DOS search of the records for name availability at the time of the inquiry. |
| Name reservation | $20 | Holds an available name for 60 days. |
| Reservation extension | $20 | A reservation can generally be extended twice for additional 60-day periods. |
Open the official NY DOS Corporations FAQ.
- Find the question about determining whether a name is available.
- Review the written-request requirement.
- Include each proposed name you want searched.
- Do not treat the public entity search or a domain-name search as final approval.
New York Biennial Statement: Every Two Years in the Correct Month
Domestic and foreign business corporations and domestic and foreign LLCs must file a Biennial Statement every two years.
The filing period is the calendar month in which the original Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Organization or Application for Authority was filed. New York says the statement should not be filed before that month.
- Search the entity and copy its exact current name and DOS ID.
- Confirm the month in which the original formation or authority document was filed.
- Wait until that filing month if the statement is not yet due.
- Open the e-Statement Filing System.
- Enter the DOS ID and business name exactly as shown in DOS records.
- Complete the statement and pay the $9 filing fee.
Certificate of Status, Plain Copies & Certified Copies
A database result is useful for research. A bank, lender, attorney, licensing authority or contract may instead require formal documentation from the Division of Corporations.
| Document | Current fee | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Status | $25 | Official status proof, also commonly called a Certificate of Good Standing or Certificate of Existence. |
| Plain copy | $5 per document | When a normal copy of a filed document is sufficient. |
| Certified copy | $10 per document | When the recipient requires official certification of the filing. |
- Provide the exact entity name.
- Include the DOS ID or exact formation/authorization date.
- Identify the document you need.
- State whether you want a plain or certified copy.
- State whether routine or expedited processing is requested.
- Provide the required mailing address and, if desired, an email address.
Open NY DOS Copies of Business Entity Documents.
Searching and Filing an Assumed Name in New York
The Public Inquiry system includes Assumed Name and Assumed Name ID search options. Use them when a business operates under a name different from its legal entity name.
Corporations, LLCs and limited partnerships that operate under another name generally file a Certificate of Assumed Name with the Department of State.
| Assumed-name cost | Current amount | Who it affects |
|---|---|---|
| DOS filing fee | $25 | Corporations, LLCs and limited partnerships filing a Certificate of Assumed Name. |
| Corporation county fee | $100 per NYC county; $25 per county elsewhere | Corporations conducting business under the assumed name in listed counties. |
| LLC / LP county fee | No additional county fee | Limited liability companies and limited partnerships. |
Service of Process Information in New York Records
New York business records commonly show the address where the Secretary of State is directed to forward legal process accepted on behalf of the entity. This is one of the most useful New York-specific fields in the database.
For many domestic and authorized foreign corporations, LLCs, LPs and LLPs, service on the Secretary of State requires personal delivery at the Department of State office. NY DOS states that service by mail is not permitted for this statutory process, and the statutory fee is currently $40.
Common New York DOS Business Fees
| Service or filing | Current fee | Useful note |
|---|---|---|
| Public entity database search | Free | Search existing entities and DOS IDs. |
| Name availability inquiry | $5 per name | Separate from the public database. |
| Name reservation | $20 | Initial reservation lasts 60 days. |
| Biennial Statement | $9 | Corporations and LLCs file every two years in the correct filing month. |
| Certificate of Status | $25 | Formal status / good-standing-style proof. |
| Plain copy | $5 per document | Non-certified filing copy. |
| Certified copy | $10 per document | Use when certification is required. |
| Domestic LLC Articles of Organization | $200 | New York LLC formation filing. |
| Domestic corporation Certificate of Incorporation | $125 | Basic corporation formation filing. |
| Certificate of Assumed Name | $25 + applicable corporation county fees | LLCs and LPs do not pay the additional county fee. |
| Service of process | $40 | Statutory service through the Secretary of State where applicable. |
| Expedited handling | $25 / $75 / $150 | 24-hour, same-day or two-hour processing where expedited handling is available. |
New York says the publication requirement generally must be completed within 120 days of formation or authorization. Failure to comply can suspend the LLC’s authority to carry on, conduct or transact business until the publication filing is corrected.
Read the official New York LLC formation and publication guidance.
What if the New York Business Is Very Old?
The online database is extensive, but New York’s own FAQ explains that some older corporation records are not fully represented in the computerized inquiry system.
The computerized system contains complete filing histories for active corporations, LPs, LLCs and LLPs, along with complete or partial histories for certain older corporations that existed during later historical periods.
Common New York Business Search Problems
| Problem | Best next step |
|---|---|
| No result appears | Use fewer words, remove punctuation and legal suffixes, then try Contains. |
| Too many similar entities | Compare DOS ID, entity type, county, filing date, jurisdiction and status. |
| You know a trade name only | Switch Search By to Assumed Name. |
| You need owners or LLC members | Do not expect a complete owner list from DOS; the Department says it generally does not maintain that information. |
| Name looks unused | Use the separate $5 name-availability inquiry before relying on the result. |
| Biennial Statement is past due | Use the e-Statement Filing System with the exact entity name and DOS ID. |
| You need an older filing copy | Use a written copy request if the document is not available through the online-copy service. |
New York Division of Corporations Phone, Address & Hours
Office
New York Department of State
Division of Corporations
One Commerce Plaza
99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor
Albany, NY 12231
When asking about a specific entity, include the exact legal name and DOS ID when available.
Official New York Business Entity Resources
Official public search for New York corporations, LLCs, LPs, LLPs, DOS IDs and assumed names.
Central DOS page for entity records, biennial statements, service of process, fees, copies and certificates.
Official guidance on entity searches, owners/officers, name availability, copies, certificates and service of process.
Current filing frequency, due-month rules, online filing and $9 fee.
Online and written copy requests, certified copies, fees and expedited handling.
Official DBA / assumed-name filing requirements and fees for corporations, LLCs and LPs.
Articles of Organization, $200 filing fee, operating agreement and publication requirements.
New York Business Entity Search FAQ
1. Is the New York business entity search free?
Yes. The New York Department of State Corporation and Business Entity Database is a free public lookup. Fees apply to name-availability inquiries, filings, certificates, copies and other services.
2. Where do I search for a New York LLC or corporation?
Use the official New York Department of State Public Inquiry database at apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/. Search by Entity Name or DOS ID.
3. What is a New York DOS ID?
The DOS ID is the Department of State identifier assigned to an entity record. It is the best way to distinguish similarly named businesses and is required for some follow-up services such as online biennial statements.
4. Can I search New York businesses by assumed name or DBA?
Yes. The current Public Inquiry search includes Assumed Name and Assumed Name ID options in addition to Entity Name and DOS ID.
5. Can the NY DOS search tell me who owns an LLC?
Usually not. The Department of State says it generally does not maintain the names of LLC members or managers, corporation officers or directors, limited partners, or LLP partners. Business-corporation records may include a CEO from a biennial statement.
6. Can I use the NY DOS database to prove a new business name is available?
No. The database is useful for screening existing records, but New York requires a separate name-availability inquiry for an official availability determination. The current fee is $5 per proposed name.
7. When is a New York Biennial Statement due?
Business corporations and LLCs generally file every two years during the calendar month in which their original formation or authority document was filed with the Department of State.
8. How much is a New York Certificate of Status?
The current fee is $25. New York also refers to this document as a Certificate of Good Standing or Certificate of Existence in its guidance.
9. How much are New York business filing copies?
A plain copy currently costs $5 per document and a certified copy costs $10 per document. Electronic copies can be ordered online for many entities formed or authorized on or after July 30, 1990.
10. Does an Active New York DOS record prove the business is licensed or trustworthy?
No. The DOS database shows business-entity filing information. Professional licenses, permits, tax status, insurance, enforcement history and financial reliability may require separate checks with other agencies or sources.