Kentucky (KY) Secretary of State (SOS) LLC & Business Search

Kentucky Secretary of State offers an online search facility enabling users to find information about businesses and complete filings for your existing business if you have one with them. Available online searches are:

• Business name
• Business address
• Identification number
• Current officer name
• Founding officer or initial director
• Registered agent

Search by business name

Kentucky’s online search facility can be searched by the business name and can filtered to only show active entities.

The list generated will include all businesses that match your criteria and the list will include company name, company ID, status and company type.

The businesses can be viewed in more detail by clicking on the company name and this displays the publicly available information which includes:

• Organization number
• Name
• Profit or non-profit
• Company type
• Status
• Standing
• State
• File date
• Organization date
• Last annual report
• Principal office
• Registered agent details
• Authorized shares
• Current and initial officers
• Former and assumed names
• Activities

If you own the business, you can also carry out a number of actions such as filing annual reports, changing details, or downloading certificates.

Search by address

The business entity search also allows you to search either by city name or zip code by changing search by to address.

The results from these searches can produce a large number of businesses depending on how big and densely populated the area is.

If you want to view further details about any of the businesses listed you can click on the company name in blue to open up the full record. The record will display the publicly available details such as address, date formed, agent details and officers, plus more which is listed above under search by business name.

Search by identification number

If you know the business’ organisation number you can search the database by changing the search by option to identification number.

The results from this search may be a single record or a couple of records if the business has more than one record. If it is a single record, you will be taken straight into the business’ record, if not you will need to select the business name in the search list to open the record.

The business records provide a range of publicly available information which includes address details, agent details and officer details, as well as much more as listed above under search by business name.

Search by current officer name

You can search the online business database for the officers of the business which are entered into separate fields for the last, first and middle name, and the search can be limited to active organizations only.

The search will produce a list of businesses that have officers with the name searched and the list will display the name, title, organization name, status and organization ID.

Further information about the business is available by clicking on the organization name which will provide details such as the address, formation date and status, and more as listed above under search by business name.

Search by founding officer or initial director

The Kentucky online business database can also be searched for founding officers’ and directors’ names which can be limited to active organizations.

The results are displayed in a list with all businesses that match the criteria included. The list includes the individual’s name, title, organization name, status and organization ID.

You can see more about the businesses by clicking on the organization name highlighted in blue. The record will include a variety of information such as agent details, current officers and business address, and more details as listed above under search by business name.

Search by registered agent

You can also search the online business database by registered agent which can limited to active organizations. The results can also be sorted by registered agent (RA) name, organization name or organization number.

The list generated will include all businesses that have an agent with the name searched and the list will include details of the registered agent name, company name, status and company ID.

Further details about the business can be viewed by clicking on the business name. The business record will include information such as address, formation details and officer details, as well as other details as listed above in search by business name.

Contact details

Website: https://www.sos.ky.gov

Phone: (502) 564-3490

Address: 700 Capital Avenue, Suite 152, Frankfort, KY 40601

Hours: Monday-Friday 8.00am-4.00pm

How to register a business in Kentucky?

If you are setting up a business in Kentucky you will need to register it which you can do by following these steps:

1. Select your business name and do a name availability search on the Kentucky Secretary of State website.
2. Decide what legal structure your business will be formed in as this will determine how you set up your business.
3. Register your business legally. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships need to do this through the County Clerk and all other business types through the Kentucky Secretary of State where you will need to create an account if you don’t have one.
4. Register for tax and obtain your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN).
5. Apply for the appropriate business licenses and permits.

How much does a Kentucky business entity search cost?

The Kentucky online business database search is free to use and available 24 hours a day.

How can I get a business license in Kentucky?

The state of Kentucky does not have any statewide business licenses that apply to all businesses, however, some businesses will be required to have local business licenses and/or occupational licenses. You should visit your local city or county website for more information about local business licenses, and details of occupational licenses can be found on the Occupational License Tax Forms Database.