How to search North Dakota records
- Search FirstStop by name or system ID; trade names, trademarks and partnerships appear in the same results.
- Open the record to see the commercial registered agent if one is used.
- Use the advanced search to filter by status.
Open the official North Dakota search
North Dakota SOS, corporation and LLC search
North Dakota Secretary of State Business Search
The North Dakota Secretary of State business search is run by the North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Division through its FirstStop Business Search. Related queries such as "ND Secretary of State business search" reach the same free database. Search by name first, then reopen the record by its system ID so you are reading one exact entity. The step-by-step instructions above walk through the screens.
North Dakota Entity Search
An entity search of the North Dakota 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 Dakota expects an annual report yearly, a lapsed filing usually shows up as a status change before the entity is dissolved.
North Dakota Corporation Search
A corporation search uses the same index as LLCs, so filter by entity type if the name is common. Searches typed as "ND 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 Dakota LLC Search
Run the North Dakota LLC search with the exact name, then note the system ID. Forming a North Dakota LLC costs $135 and the annual report is $50. 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.
North Dakota Business Name Search
A North Dakota business name search shows names already on file, not names the state will accept. North Dakota lets you hold a name for 365 days for $10. The name claim guide lists the checks to run before you file, including trademarks and DBA names.
ND Firststop
FirstStop is the North Dakota Secretary of State's online portal for business searches and filings. For other checks, see the business verification checklist.
A November deadline
North Dakota sets every LLC annual report deadline at November 15, an unusual end-of-year date that catches owners who are used to spring deadlines elsewhere. The report costs $50. FirstStop is the single portal for business records, trade names, trademarks and partnerships.
North Dakota filing facts
| Record number | System ID |
|---|---|
| LLC formation fee | $135. Articles of Organization. |
| Recurring filing | Annual report, $50, yearly |
| Due | November 15 |
| Name reservation | $10 for 365 days |
| Agency phone | 701-328-4284 |
What a North Dakota LLC costs in its first three years
First recurring filing assumed in year 2; state charges only.
| Year | Formation | Recurring filing | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $135 | $0 | $135 |
| Year 2 | $0 | $50 | $50 |
| Year 3 | $0 | $50 | $50 |
| Three-year state total | $235 | ||
Year-long reservations and renewable trade names
A North Dakota name reservation lasts a full year for $10, and trade names must be renewed every five years; see DBA. North Dakota does not sell its register in bulk, as listed in data downloads by state.
Year-end planning
With reports due November 15, North Dakota owners often file with year-end paperwork. Because reservations last a year, North Dakota is also a state where you can hold a name for a long launch without refiling.
How North Dakota compares with its neighbors
| State | LLC filing | Yearly upkeep | Report cycle | Reservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $135 | $50 | Yearly | $10 |
| Minnesota | $155 | $0 | Yearly | $55 |
| South Dakota | $150 | $50 | Yearly | $25 |
| Montana | $35 | $20 | Yearly | $10 |
Before you rely on a North Dakota result
- A name reservation lasts a full year in North Dakota.
- Trade names are registered with the Secretary of State and must be renewed every five years.
Bulk North Dakota business data
Not offered.
Searching beyond North Dakota
Registries next to North Dakota: Minnesota business search, South Dakota business search, Montana business search.
North Dakota business search questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in North Dakota?
The state filing fee is $135. Articles of Organization. Keeping the LLC on file then averages $50 a year in state fees.
When is the North Dakota annual report due?
North Dakota calls it the annual report. It costs $50, it is filed yearly, and it is due November 15.
Can I reserve a business name in North Dakota?
Yes. A name reservation costs $10 and holds the name for 365 days.
When is the North Dakota LLC annual report due?
November 15 each year. The fee is $50.
Is the North Dakota business entity search free?
Yes. Searching the FirstStop Business Search costs nothing. The North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Division charges only for certified copies and certificates of good standing.
Who keeps business records in North Dakota?
The North Dakota Secretary of State, Business Division. Its business line is 701-328-4284, and its free search is the FirstStop Business Search.
What number identifies a business in North Dakota?
North Dakota assigns each entity a system 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 North Dakota businesses?
No bulk download is offered. Individual records can still be searched for free.
Sources
Data Updated Recently