How to search New York records
- Search by entity name or DOS ID; select "Active" or "All" to include past entities.
- Read "Entity Status" and look for a publication filing in the history. An LLC that did not publish has its authority suspended.
- The record shows the address for service of process, which in New York is often the Secretary of State itself.
Open the official New York search
New York SOS, corporation and LLC search
New York Secretary of State Business Search
The New York Secretary of State business search is run by the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations through its Public Inquiry Corporation and Business Entity Database. Related queries such as "NY SOS business search" reach the same free database. Search by name first, then reopen the record by its DOS ID so you are reading one exact entity. The step-by-step instructions above walk through the screens.
New York Entity Search
An entity search of the New York business registry returns every registered type at once: domestic and foreign LLCs, corporations, partnerships and nonprofits. Read the status first, then the formation date and the registered agent. Because New York expects a biennial statement every 2 years, a lapsed filing usually shows up as a status change before the entity is dissolved.
NYS Corp Search
A corporation search uses the same index as LLCs, so filter by entity type if the name is common. Searches typed as "NYS corporation search" land here too. The record shows whether it is a for-profit corporation or a nonprofit, and the entity types guide explains how each one appears. Corporations are formed by filing articles of incorporation, so the formation date on the record is the date those articles took effect.
New York LLC Search
Run the New York LLC search with the exact name, then note the DOS ID. Forming a New York LLC costs $200 and the biennial statement is $9. Whether members appear depends on the filings; our LLC lookup guide covers what the state shows, and the business owner lookup covers what it does not. A state record never shows an EIN; use the EIN lookup for that.
New York Business Name Search
A New York business name search shows names already on file, not names the state will accept. New York lets you hold a name for 60 days for $20. The name claim guide lists the checks to run before you file, including trademarks and DBA names. New York sole proprietors file assumed names with the county clerk, while corporations and LLCs file an assumed name certificate with the Department of State.
NYC LLC Lookup
New York City has no separate company register. LLCs in the five boroughs are searched in the statewide Department of State database, and each new LLC must publish notice of its formation in two newspapers within 120 days. For other checks, see the business verification checklist.
New York UCC Search
UCC financing statements against New York businesses are filed with the Department of State. A filing shows a lender's claim on the company's assets, and it must be searched under the exact legal name on the entity record. The UCC lien search guide explains how to read one.
New York Tax ID Lookup
A New York tax ID can mean the federal EIN from the IRS or a state account number from the New York tax agency for sales or payroll tax. Neither appears in the business entity record. The EIN lookup covers the federal number; the state tax agency confirms its own accounts.
The publication requirement
New York LLCs must publish a notice of formation in two newspapers, designated by the county clerk, once a week for six weeks, within 120 days of formation, then file a certificate of publication. In New York County the cost can exceed a thousand dollars, which is why some owners pick a different county for their office. An LLC that does not publish has its authority to do business suspended until it does.
New York filing facts
| Record number | DOS ID |
|---|---|
| LLC formation fee | $200. Articles of Organization; publication costs are extra. |
| Recurring filing | Biennial statement, $9, every 2 years |
| Due | End of the filing month, every two years |
| Name reservation | $20 for 60 days |
| Agency phone | 518-473-2492 |
What a New York LLC costs in its first three years
First recurring filing assumed in year 3; state charges only.
| Year | Formation | Recurring filing | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $200 | $0 | $200 |
| Year 2 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Year 3 | $0 | $9 | $9 |
| Three-year state total | $209 | ||
Biennial statements and the free open dataset
The biennial statement costs only $9 and is due every two years in the filing month. The Department of State lists the address for service of process, which in New York is often the Secretary of State itself. New York publishes its active corporations data free on its open-data portal, about 4.2 million rows, and the live name check on this page queries it directly; see data downloads by state. Assumed names for entities are filed with the Department of State; see DBA.
Reading a New York record
In the Department of State database, check the entity status, the date of the publication filing, and the address for service of process. A missing publication certificate means the LLC may not be authorized to do business. Biennial statements also update the principal executive office address for corporations.
How New York compares with its neighbors
| State | LLC filing | Yearly upkeep | Report cycle | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $200 | $4.50 | Every 2 years | $20 |
| New Jersey | $125 | $75 | Yearly | $50 |
| Connecticut | $120 | $80 | Yearly | $60 |
| Pennsylvania | $125 | $7 | Yearly | $70 |
Before you rely on a New York result
- Assumed names are filed with the Department of State for LLCs and corporations.
- The biennial statement costs only $9 but must still be filed every two years.
Bulk New York business data
Free full register. Format: Socrata API/CSV, daily. Active corporations since 1800, about 4.2 million rows. Official source
Searching beyond New York
Registries next to New York: New Jersey business search, Connecticut business search, Pennsylvania business search.
New York business search questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in New York?
The state filing fee is $200. Articles of Organization; publication costs are extra. Keeping the LLC on file then averages $4.50 a year in state fees.
When is the New York annual report due?
New York calls it the biennial statement. It costs $9, it is filed every 2 years, and it is due end of the filing month, every two years.
Can I reserve a business name in New York?
Yes. A name reservation costs $20 and holds the name for 60 days.
How much does LLC publication cost in New York?
It depends on the county and newspapers. In New York County it can exceed $1,000, while some upstate counties cost much less.
Is the New York business entity search free?
Yes. Searching the Public Inquiry Corporation and Business Entity Database costs nothing. The New York Department of State, Division of Corporations charges only for certified copies and certificates of good standing.
Who keeps business records in New York?
The New York Department of State, Division of Corporations. Its business line is 518-473-2492, and its free search is the Public Inquiry Corporation and Business Entity Database.
What number identifies a business in New York?
New York assigns each entity a DOS ID. It is different from the federal EIN and from the number the same company holds in any other state, and searching by it returns exactly one record.
Can I download a list of all New York businesses?
Yes. New York publishes its full business register free (Socrata API/CSV, daily). Active corporations since 1800, about 4.2 million rows.
Sources
- New York Division of Corporations
- New York public inquiry database
- NY Department of State, Active Corporations dataset (data.ny.gov)
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