How to search Michigan business entities online

Michigan business entity records are searchable at mibusinessregistry.lara.state.mi.us/search/business, operated by the Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing (CSCL) Bureau within the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Michigan's Secretary of State does not handle business entity registration — that function sits with LARA. The older COFS portal (cofs.lara.michigan.gov) is no longer operational.

What the search covers

The MiBusiness Registry covers all entity types registered with the CSCL Corporations Division: domestic and foreign profit corporations, professional corporations, nonprofit corporations, ecclesiastical corporations, LLCs, professional limited liability companies, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and registered trademarks and service marks. Trademark search is at a separate tab within the same portal.

MiBusiness Registry — what changed in June 2025

Michigan migrated entirely from the COFS system to the MiBusiness Registry Portal on June 23, 2025. Several operational changes came with the migration:

• Paper annual reports and annual statements are no longer accepted — all must be filed online through the portal
• Credentials from the old COFS system did not carry over; a new account must be created at the MiBusiness Registry
• In-person document submissions now require an appointment
• A public computer terminal is available at the Lansing office for free record viewing without a personal account

How to search

The portal requires a minimum of 2 alphanumeric characters to begin a search. Name searches retrieve matching entities; selecting a result opens the full record showing the entity's status, registered office address, resident agent name, officer and director information, and filing history. Certificates and certified copies can be ordered from the record after logging in.

This guide is informational only and is not affiliated with the Michigan LARA Corporations Division. Verify current procedures at michigan.gov — Corporations Division. Source: Michigan LARA CSCL Corporations Division, verified May 2026.