How to Conduct a Wisconsin Business Entity Search

A Wisconsin business name search helps provide insights into the process, resources, and guidelines to ensure your desired business name is available and compliant with state regulations. Read our detailed instructions below to help guide you through the process.

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Last Updated: June 24, 2025

This guide has been created to assist filers as they attempt to use the business entity search function found on the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions’ website. Through this function, business representatives will have the ability to research the details of any registered entity, or inquire about the availability of their desired operating name prior to registration of a corporation of LLC in Wisconsin. This action also allows the online submission of annual reports, the filing registered agent/office update forms and the purchase of a Certificate of Status. Review our tutorials below to learn more about the different search methods available.

Washington Secretary of State Contact Information

Mailing Address: PO Box 40220 Olympia, WA 98504-0220	Physical Address: Legislative Building 416 Sid Snyder Ave SW Olympia, WA 98501
Telephone: 360-725-0377	Website: https://www.sos.wa.gov/

Search by Business Name in Wisconsin

Step 1- To start, you will need to access this webpage. Supply a business name or entity ID number into the entry field and click Search Records to initiate the search.

Step 2- Displayed on the following page will be a list of business names that match the metrics of your search. Scroll through the results until you’ve found the entity you would like to research. Click on the highlighted business name to review that particular entity’s details.

Step 3- This last page will present you with all of the information made available to the public by the Department of Financial Institutions. At this point you may choose to take further action and file your annual reports, request a Certificate of Status, or update your registered agent/office.

Search for Name Availability

Step 1- Inquiring about the availability of a business name can be accomplished on the website of the Department of Financial Institutions. From there, you will be able to enter the desired operating name into the available field before clicking Search Records.

Step 2- The results of your search will be displayed on the following page. If the name supplied is indeed available for use, a message will be given stating that no records appear to conflict with the name you’ve entered.

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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.

Written by Team ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 850,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.

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