How to search North Carolina records
- Search by company name, SOSID, or registered agent.
- Click the company to see "Company Officials" pulled from the last annual report.
- Assumed business names are filed with the county Register of Deeds, so search those separately.
Open the official North Carolina search
North Carolina SOS, corporation and LLC search
North Carolina Secretary of State Business Search
The North Carolina Secretary of State business search is run by the North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division through its Business Registration Search. Related queries such as "NC SOS business search" reach the same free database. Search by name first, then reopen the record by its SOSID so you are reading one exact entity. The step-by-step instructions above walk through the screens.
North Carolina Entity Search
An entity search of the North Carolina 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 North Carolina expects an annual report yearly, a lapsed filing usually shows up as a status change before the entity is dissolved.
North Carolina Corporation Search
A corporation search uses the same index as LLCs, so filter by entity type if the name is common. Searches typed as "NC 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.
North Carolina LLC Lookup
Run the North Carolina LLC lookup with the exact name, then note the SOSID. Forming a North Carolina LLC costs $125 and the annual report is $200. 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.
NC Business Name Search
A NC business name search shows names already on file, not names the state will accept. North Carolina lets you hold a name for 120 days for $30. The name claim guide lists the checks to run before you file, including trademarks and DBA names.
Ncsos Business Search
NCSOS is the common shorthand for the North Carolina Secretary of State, whose website is sosnc.gov. An NCSOS business search is the same Business Registration search, and each record carries an SOSID. For other checks, see the business verification checklist.
North Carolina UCC Search
UCC financing statements against North Carolina businesses are filed with the Secretary 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.
North Carolina Tax ID Lookup
A North Carolina tax ID can mean the federal EIN from the IRS or a state account number from the North Carolina 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 report costs more than formation
North Carolina charges $125 to form an LLC and $200 for each annual report, due April 15 and not accepted before January 1. Over a few years the reports dominate the cost. Every record carries an SOSID, and the company page lists company officials taken from the latest report, with each report available as a free image.
North Carolina filing facts
| Record number | SOSID |
|---|---|
| LLC formation fee | $125. Articles of Organization. |
| Recurring filing | Annual report, $200, yearly |
| Due | April 15 |
| Name reservation | $30 for 120 days |
| Agency phone | 919-814-5400 |
What a North Carolina LLC costs in its first three years
First recurring filing assumed in year 2; state charges only.
| Year | Formation | Recurring filing | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $125 | $0 | $125 |
| Year 2 | $0 | $200 | $200 |
| Year 3 | $0 | $200 | $200 |
| Three-year state total | $525 | ||
County trade names and a costly bulk product
Assumed business names in North Carolina are filed with the county register of deeds, not the Secretary of State, so a brand may only be found locally; see DBA. Name reservations cost $30 for 120 days. The state sells its register in bulk for $750 setup plus $2,000 a year, listed in data downloads by state.
Finding who runs a North Carolina company
Open the company page and read Company Officials, then search an official's name to find related companies. Annual report images show signatures and addresses. For a trade name, check the register of deeds in the county where the business operates.
How North Carolina compares with its neighbors
| State | LLC filing | Yearly upkeep | Report cycle | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $125 | $200 | Yearly | $30 |
| South Carolina | $110 | $0 | None | $25 |
| Virginia | $100 | $50 | Yearly | $10 |
| Tennessee | $300 | $300 | Yearly | $20 |
Before you rely on a North Carolina result
- Annual reports are due April 15 and cannot be filed before January 1.
- Administrative dissolution follows a missed report, after a notice period.
Bulk North Carolina business data
Sold by the state. $750 setup plus $2,000 per year.
Searching beyond North Carolina
Registries next to North Carolina: South Carolina business search, Virginia business search, Tennessee business search.
North Carolina business search questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in North Carolina?
The state filing fee is $125. Articles of Organization. Keeping the LLC on file then averages $200 a year in state fees.
When is the North Carolina annual report due?
North Carolina calls it the annual report. It costs $200, it is filed yearly, and it is due April 15.
Can I reserve a business name in North Carolina?
Yes. A name reservation costs $30 and holds the name for 120 days.
How much is the North Carolina LLC annual report?
$200, due April 15. It cannot be filed before January 1.
Is the North Carolina business entity search free?
Yes. Searching the Business Registration Search costs nothing. The North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division charges only for certified copies and certificates of good standing.
Who keeps business records in North Carolina?
The North Carolina Secretary of State, Business Registration Division. Its business line is 919-814-5400, and its free search is the Business Registration Search.
What number identifies a business in North Carolina?
North Carolina assigns each entity a SOSID. 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 North Carolina businesses?
Only by buying it. $750 setup plus $2,000 per year.
Sources
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