How to search Indiana business entities online
Quick Answer
Indiana's business search is at bsd.sos.in.gov/publicbusinesssearch, part of the INBiz platform. Search by business name, Business ID, registered agent, or governing person name — no account needed — and download certified copies of filings free directly from the results.
Go to Indiana Official SOS Website →- Go to bsd.sos.in.gov/publicbusinesssearch.
- Search by business name, Business ID, registered agent, or governing person.
- Open the result to view its status and download free certified copies of filings.
INBiz doubles as Indiana's one-stop platform for tax and employer registration too, not just entity search and filing — a broader scope than most states' search portals.
This site is an independent, non-government business entity search directory and isn't affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any state government or Secretary of State office. Always verify details directly with the official agency before filing or paying any fee.
reCAPTCHA required to search
The public business search at bsd.sos.in.gov requires completing a reCAPTCHA (an "I'm not a robot" check) before results will display. This is normal and not a sign of a broken or fake page.
What the search covers
The database covers all entity types on file with the Secretary of State's Business Services Division. Domestic types include for-profit corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLCs, series LLCs, master LLCs, professional corporations, benefit corporations, agricultural cooperatives, business trusts, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships. Foreign versions of most domestic types are also searchable. Name reservations and registered commercial agents appear as separate record types.
Search options
The portal supports several approaches:
- Business Name — three sub-modes: Contains, Starts With, or Exact Match
- Business ID — the SOS-assigned identifier; single-record lookup
- Filing Number — specific filing document lookup
- Registered Agent Name
- Incorporator or Governing Person Name — officer, director, member, or manager
An Advanced search adds filters for entity type, status, name type, street address, city, and zip code.
Free certified copies
Indiana provides free certified copies of business entity filings directly from the public search — one of the more generous policies among state registries. No account is required to download these. If a standard database search doesn't turn up a record, you can request a Due and Diligent Search — a manual search of microfilm and historic archives — using the Information Request Form at INBiz; this process takes 10-15 business days.
Certificate of Existence
Certificates of Existence — Indiana's current name for what used to be called a Certificate of Good Standing — are ordered at inbiz.in.gov — Certificate of Existence. A standard certificate and a long-form certificate (which lists all documents filed for the business) are both available; the long-form is requested using the Information Request Form.
Biennial reports
Indiana entities file biennial business entity reports — every two years — rather than annual reports. The report is due by the end of the anniversary month of the entity's formation. Filing costs $32 online or $50 by paper for for-profit entities, and $22 online or $20 by paper for nonprofits. The INBiz portal links directly to the DOR and DWD registration flows, so tax registration and employer account setup can be started from the same session as the SOS filing.
Indiana's three-stage warning before dissolution
Indiana doesn't dissolve an entity the moment its Business Entity Report is late — there's no late fee at all for a simply past-due report. Instead, there are three distinct stages: past due with no consequence yet, Pending Administrative Dissolution or Revocation (a formal warning where filing the report by the stated deadline avoids dissolution entirely), and finally Administratively Dissolved or Revoked, which does require reinstatement to fix.
Reinstatement is normally done online through INBiz, but domestic entities dissolved more than 5 years require a paper filing instead — one the state's own instructions warn is frequently rejected. That paper filing needs a written explanation of the reinstatement reason and future activities, a Certificate of Clearance from the Department of Revenue, and, if the person filing isn't a listed governing person of the entity, a notarized affidavit (Form AD-19) from someone who is, confirming they authorized the filing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Indiana charge for certified copies of business filings?
No — Indiana provides free certified copies of business entity filings directly from the public search, one of the more generous policies among state registries. No account is required to download them.
Why does Indiana's business search ask me to complete a reCAPTCHA?
The public business search at bsd.sos.in.gov requires completing an 'I'm not a robot' check before results will display. This is normal and not a sign of a broken or fake page.
How often do Indiana businesses have to file reports, and how much does it cost?
Indiana entities file biennial reports every two years, due by the end of the anniversary month of formation, rather than annual reports. Filing costs $32 online (or $50 paper) for for-profit entities, and $22 online (or $20 paper) for nonprofits.
Does a late Indiana Business Entity Report trigger a fee?
No — Indiana charges no late fee for a simply past-due report. The real consequence comes later: ignoring a Pending Administrative Dissolution notice is what actually leads to dissolution or revocation.
What happens if an Indiana entity has been dissolved for more than 5 years?
Reinstatement can no longer be filed online — it requires a paper filing with a written explanation, a Department of Revenue Certificate of Clearance, and, if the filer isn't a listed governing person, a notarized affidavit confirming they were authorized to file. Indiana's own instructions warn most paper reinstatements get rejected.