Check out our guide on searching the Vermont Secretary of State site.
Last Updated: June 20, 2025
The Vermont business search, sometimes called a business entity search, is a helpful resource for anyone who needs to learn about business entities registered in the state. But using this tool can feel overwhelming at first, especially if you’re busy with other business startup or maintenance tasks.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use the state business entity search to get the information you need quickly and easily. We’ll also walk through some of the essential Vermont business naming guidelines and what you should do after you’ve searched your business name.
Let’s get started.
Address: 128 State Street Montpelier, VT 05633-1104 | Email: SOS.CorporationsSupport@vermont.gov |
Telephone: (802) 828-2386 | Website: https://bizfilings.vermont.gov/online |
When you’re starting a business, one of the most important things you’ll do is pick your business name. And like other states, Vermont has several rules about naming your business.
First, your name needs to be different from the names of other registered companies in Vermont, including both domestic and foreign corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and so on. 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 Vermont business name should follow:
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 company name doesn’t meet these requirements, you’ll need to pick a new one.
Searching for a company by its business name is the most common and straightforward way to consult the state’s official database. Here’s how to run a Vermont business search as efficiently as possible.
The business name search actually allows you to use three different search methods, so you’ll want to pick the option that best meets your needs. You can find these three options directly underneath the search bar, pictured below:
The Vermont business search tool also lets you refine your search in several ways, if needed. While you aren’t required to use these filters, they can help you find exactly what you’re looking for more easily. Here’s how these filters function:
Set any of these filters if you want, and then type your search terms into the search bar. When you’re ready, hit “search.”
After you hit search, the business search tool will pull up any existing businesses that match the search terms you entered (or it will return a “No search result found” message if no matches are found).
For each matching business, you’ll see the full company name, record number, business entity type, and physical address that’s on file with the Secretary of State. You’ll also see their business standing.
If you click on a company name (linked on the left side of the page), you’ll be directed to another page with even more information.
This page provides a lot of details about the company, including its annual report information, NAICS code and business purpose, registered agent information, principal information, any assumed business names they have, and more. You can also review their filing history on this page.
Vermont actually offers multiple search options through their search tool, and another helpful one you could run is a record number search. This search type lets you look up information and records for a company if you know the ID number assigned to it by the Secretary of State.
To search by record number, you’ll use the same page linked above, but you don’t need to worry about setting any filters; business ID searches only yield one result (or none, if there are no matches). Simply type in the business record number and hit “Search.”
As long as there’s a match in the official database, your results should look something like this:
The Vermont state website also offers an Advanced Search tool; it’s located on the same business search page we covered above, but you’ll find it directly under the standard search section. Let’s walk through the different search options available with the Advanced Search:
These searches all function similarly to the record number or business name searches we covered above. Just select your advanced search type, type in the search terms, and hit “Search” to view any results.
For example, here’s what our results page looked like when we searched a specific registered agent’s name:
As before, you can click on any name from the results list to learn more business information about that company.
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 Vermont business name and make the most of it.
If you’ve picked the perfect business name but you’re not quite ready to file your business formation paperwork, Vermont allows you to reserve a business name.
You can get a Vermont business name reservation by filing an Application for Reserved Name form with the Secretary of State. The filing fee you’ll pay will vary depending on your business type. For example, LLCs pay $25 while business corporations pay $40 for their reservation application.
After your paperwork is filed and approved, your name reservation is valid for 120 days. If you need more time, you can request a renewal during the last 45 days of your previous reservation. State law says that you can only renew a reservation twice.
This name reservation 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.
One of the best ways to protect your business name is to register your business. After you register a business under your chosen name, no one else in Vermont will be able to register their own company with the same name.
Registering a Vermont business is an important legal process. Learn more about starting a Vermont LLC.
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.
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 in the Green Mountain State.
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.
Vermont Business Resources
Start an LLC in Your State
When it comes to compliance, costs, and other factors, these are popular states for forming an LLC.
Conduct an Entity Search in Your State
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Let's Get Started