New York (NY) Secretary of State (SOS) LLC & Business Search

The New York Department of State’s Division of Corporations provides a Corporations and Business Entity Database that allows users to search for business entities that have been registered in New York. Their database includes businesses including limited liability companies, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, not-for-profit corporations and other business types.

You can search their database by:

• Entity name
• DOS ID
• Assumed name
• Assumed name ID

Search by entity name

The Corporations and Business Entity Database can be searched by entity name and you will need to select the entity type and whether you want to search by begins with, contains or base word. You can also select the status of the entity to narrow down your search results.

The search results will be displayed in a list which includes information about the businesses including name, DOS ID number, assumed name ID, status, entity type, date of first filing and county.

You find out more information about any of the businesses listed by clicking on their line in the list. This opens up the record and displays a range of information about the business including:

• Entity name
• DOS ID
• Foreign legal name
• Fictitious name
• Entity type
• Duration date/latest date of dissolution
• Section of law
• Entity status
• Date of initial DOS filing
• Reason for status
• Effective date initial filing
• Inactive date
• Foreign formation date
• Statement status
• County
• Next statement due date
• Jurisdiction
• NFP category
• Name history
• Filing history
• Merger history
• Assumed name history
• CEO details
• Principal executive office address
• Registered agent details
• Entity primary location details
• Stock information

Search by DOS ID

If you know what the business’ DOS ID number is then you can search the New York entity database by this and you will also need to select the business entity type eg corporation.

This should produce a list with only one record as the DOS ID is a unique number for the business. The list displays basic information about the business including name, DOS ID number, assumed name ID number, status, entity type, date of first filing and county. You can view further information about this business by clicking anywhere on the record. A wide range of information is available for the business including where else it is operating, its background, address details, agent details and more as listed above in search by entity name.

Search by assumed name

You can also search the database by assumed names for filings for corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships. You will need to select the entity type and whether you want to search by begins with, contains or base word. You can also select the status of the entity to narrow down your search results.

The search results list all businesses that have an assumed name that includes the name searched. The list displays the name, DOS ID number, assumed name ID number, status, entity type, date of first filing and county.

You can drill into the businesses displayed by clicking anywhere on their details. Their record includes a variety of information about the business such as where it was formed and if it operates overseas, agent details, filing history, and more as detailed above in search by entity name.

Search by assumed name ID

If the business has an assumed name it will also have an assumed name ID and the database can be searched by this if you know it. You will also need to select the entity type such as corporation.

Only one record should be displayed as the assumed name ID is a unique number. You can view further information about the business by clicking on the record and this will display the publicly available information for the business. Information includes details about where they operate, key dates, key people involved in the business and their filing history, plus more as listed above in search by entity name.

Contact details

Website: https://www.ny.gov/services/business

Phone: (518) 473-2492

Address: 123 William Street, New York, NY 10038-3804 or One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12231

Hours: Monday-Friday 8.45am-4.30pm

How to register a business in New York?

If you are starting a business in New York the following steps can help you:

1. Firstly you will need to decide what you are going to call your business and you should do some research on whether that name is already in use, such as checking on the New York State’s Corporations and Business Entity Database.
2. You will need to decide what entity type you are going to set up such as limited liability company, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, corporate or sole proprietorship.
3. You can then complete formation documents which vary depending on your business type:

• Sole proprietorships and general partnerships need to file with the county that they are located in.
• Corporations need to file a Certificate of Incorporation with the Department of State.
• Limited liability companies need to file Articles of Organization with the Department of State.
• Limited partnerships need to file a Certificate of Limited Partnership with the Department of State.
• Limited liability partnerships need to file a Certificate of Registration with the Department of State.

4. You will also need to register for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and NYS Sales Tax Vendor to get a sales tax Certificate of Authority.

How much does a New York business entity search cost?

New York State does charge for business entity searches on their Corporations and Business Entity Database.

How can I get a business license in New York?

You should complete the Business Wizard on the New York State website as it will help guide you through the list of regulations that your business needs to apply for and licenses. Most businesses will need a sales tax certificate which is needed to collect and pay sales taxes.

You can also obtain over 32 professional licenses through the Department of State’s Division of Licensing Services which you can apply for online. You can apply for licenses by registering at the NY Licensing Center on NY.gov.