New York Business Entity Search: Complete Guide (2025)

The New York Division of Corporations has provided a corporate database that you can search quickly (and at no charge). It’s called the Corporation and Business Entity Database, but you might also find people call it the “New York SOS Business Search.”

No matter what you call it, the business entity search can feel a little bit overwhelming. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of using this search tool. We’ll also chat about some of the next steps you should take after searching business names.

One quick note: the state division cautions against using this database to determine if your business name is available or not. The search could give you a rough idea of which names are in use in New York, but the only way to be sure about name availability is to submit a formal availability request to the Department of State. The intended purpose of the database search is to check the status of businesses on file with the Division of Corporations.

With that in mind, let’s jump into how to use the entity search tool. Scroll down to get started!

New York Business Name Guidelines

When you’re starting a business, one of the most important things you’ll do is pick your business name. And like other states, New York has several rules about naming your business. 

First, your name needs to be different from the names of other existing businesses, including both domestic and foreign corporations, LLCs, limited liability partnerships, and other registered companies. This is one of the simplest but most important naming standards. 

That said, uniqueness isn’t the only naming guideline to adhere to. Here are a few other rules your New York business name should follow: 

• The name needs to include a designator, such as “corporation” or “incorporated” for corporations or “Limited Liability Company” or “LLC” for LLCs. 
• Your name cannot include any of the state’s restricted or prohibited words (unless you meet the statutory requirements to use those words). 
• Your name can’t mislead people into thinking your business is affiliated with the federal or state government.
• A company name may not be indecent, obscene, or offensive. It also can’t imply you’re conducting illegal activities. 

If you’re in a licensed trade or profession, keep in mind that you’ll need to meet any naming rules that your industry has in place, too. If your business name doesn’t meet these requirements, you’ll need to pick a new one.

New York State Entity Search by Name

The easiest way to use the business entity search tool is to search by an entity name. Here’s how to get started.

Step 1: Filter your search and enter the business name

To begin, navigate to the Department of State’s Public Inquiry page. Here, you’ll find several different ways to narrow down your search. The “Entity Type” category will let you filter the results by inactive, active, or suspended entities. The “Search Functionality” filter enables you to search business names that begin with the words you’re searching or names that contain the same words. Finally, you can search by entity type (and if you don’t know the business structure of the company you’re searching, you can select them all).

Keep in mind that the more specific you are with your search, the fewer results you’ll get. In contrast, you could get an overwhelming number if your search isn’t specific enough.

To get started, type the entity name into the search bar, select your filters, and then hit the Search the Database button.

Step 2: Find your desired result

After you hit search, your results will be displayed to you on a page like the one shown below. Simply find the name you’ve requested and select it by clicking on it. You can also cycle between pages using the arrows at the bottom if the entity being searched for doesn’t appear on the first page.

Step 3: Review the business information

After selecting your desired New York entity, you’ll be taken to a page that shows extra details about the business. You can learn if the business is currently active, its registered agent name and address, its filing history, and more.

Other New York Entity Search Options

Practically speaking, most New Yorkers will probably search a business entity by its name using the steps we’ve covered above. And that’s understandable; a business name is the information you’re most likely to know about a business. 

However, the state business entity search tool does allow you to search using a few other methods:

• DOS ID Number: If you know a company’s ID number (assigned by the Department of State), you can use this feature to quickly find their information. Since this information is so specific, you’ll likely get the exact business you’re looking for with one search.
• Assumed Name: If you know a company’s assumed name but not its legal name, you can type its assumed name in the search bar to learn more information about the business, including its legal name and more.
• Assumed Name ID: The New York Department of State assigns an ID number to each assumed name they issue. If you know a company’s assumed name ID number, you can search by that number. 

Just as with the regular entity name search, you’ll need to fill in the “Entity List” category of the search. If you don’t know the business type in question, you can check them all (just know that your search might reveal more results).

What to Do After Searching Business Names in New York

After you’ve come up with a name and searched it, you’re probably feeling like you’ve done a lot of legwork. You’d hate for that hard work to go to waste, right? Here are some steps you can take to protect your New York business name and make the most of it. 

Reserve your New York business name

If you’ve picked the perfect business name but you’re not quite ready to file your business formation paperwork, New York allows you to reserve your business name. You can make a reservation by filling out the Application for Reservation of Name form that matches your business type. 

Currently, there’s a $20 filing fee for making a name reservation. 

New York name reservations protect your name for 60 days. If you need more time, you can write to the Department of State and request an extension (only two extensions can be given). This step is optional, and you should only pursue it if you’ve picked a name but aren’t ready to file your formation paperwork yet.

Form an LLC or register your business

One of the best ways to protect your business name is to register your business with the state. After you register a business under your chosen name, no one else in New York will be able to register their own company with the same name. 

Registering a New York business is an important legal process. Learn more about starting a New York LLC. 

Fulfill the New York publication requirement (LLCs)

New York is unusual because it requires LLCs to get a Certificate of Publication within 120 days of getting the Articles of Organization approved by the Department of State. This process uses newspapers to notify the public about who you are and the business you’re starting.

This is actually a multi-step process. Here’s what you can expect: 

• You consult with your county clerk to learn which newspapers are acceptable for this publication. 
• You publish a notice about your business in two of these newspapers for six consecutive weeks. After this process is completed, the newspapers will give you Affidavits of Publication to verify you’ve made these publications.
• You submit a Certificate of Publication along with your Affidavits to the Department of State.

If this sounds like a lot to tackle right after starting your LLC, our publication service can help streamline this process for you.

Get a domain name that matches

You want it to be easy for your customers to find your business website. That means you need a domain name that matches your business name as closely as possible. A matching domain will help your brand maintain consistency both in person and online.

If you’re struggling to come up with a domain name (or the one that matches your name is already taken), try using a domain name generator. A generator can help you come up with a domain that matches your brand image. 

Set up your business online

Today, you can’t run a business without a good digital footprint. A good business website is a decent starting point. But don’t stop there; set up social media accounts like a Facebook page, a TikTok profile, and an Instagram account. Make sure your business name is included on each account so your brand is consistent across your online presence.

Last but not least, set up a Google Business Profile for your business (or claim it if it already exists). This profile will help you direct customers to your website or your store location. Plus, it’ll help you respond to customer reviews and build a good brand reputation within the Empire State.

Trademark your business name (optional)

If you want the most robust protections for your business name, you could pursue trademark registration. Trademarks can be registered at the state or federal level (with federal protections being the strongest). 

Getting a trademark can be pretty complicated and time-consuming. If you go this route, it’s highly recommended to work with a trademark attorney.