Domestic Entity
Definition: A business entity formed under the laws of the state where you are looking it up.
In a state business search, domestic means the entity was formed in that state. A Delaware LLC is domestic in Delaware. The same LLC registered to do business in California is a foreign entity there.
Domestic has nothing to do with the owners' nationality. A company owned by people outside the United States is still a domestic LLC in the state where it filed its Articles of Organization.
Why the label matters when you search
- The formation documents and full history are held by the home state only.
- Name conflicts with domestic entities are checked when you file; some states also block names used by registered foreign entities.
- A certificate of good standing from the home state is usually required before a foreign registration elsewhere.
If an entity shows as foreign in your search, the nationwide search guide explains how to find its home-state record.
Related: Delaware business search, business entity types.
Domestic Entity questions
What is the difference between a domestic and a foreign entity?
A domestic entity was formed in that state. A foreign entity was formed in another state and registered to do business there.
Can a company be domestic in more than one state?
Generally no. A company has one home state; it is foreign everywhere else it registers, unless it converts or domesticates into a new state.
Sources
Data Updated Recently