How to search New Hampshire business entities online
Updated August 2026
Official Resource
New Hampshire Official SOS WebsiteNew Hampshire business entity records are searchable at quickstart.sos.nh.gov/online/BusinessInquire, the QuickStart portal operated by the New Hampshire Secretary of State's Corporations Division. Searching is public without an account; filing requires a free QuickStart registration.
What the search covers
The database covers all entity types registered with the Corporations Division: domestic and foreign business corporations (including benefit and professional corporations), LLCs, professional LLCs, limited partnerships, LLPs, nonprofit corporations and associations, investment trusts, foundations, cooperatives, and trade names. Trademarks and service marks registered under RSA 350-A are also searchable here.
Search options
New Hampshire's search is unusually flexible. The name search supports four match modes — Starts With, Exact Match, Contains, and All Words — along with a Soundex option that returns phonetically similar names, plus a separate similar-sounding search for a business's home state name if it was formed elsewhere. Beyond name, the portal supports:
- Business ID — the NH-assigned entity identifier
- Filing Number — for specific document lookups
- Business Creation Date — useful when you know approximately when an entity was formed
- Registered Agent Name — also supports a Soundex variant
Certificate verification
Certificates of Good Standing issued through QuickStart can be verified at no charge at quickstart.sos.nh.gov — Verify Certificate without creating an account. Ordering a new certificate requires a QuickStart login.
The $2 electronic surcharge
Every online filing in New Hampshire carries a $2.00 electronic handling surcharge under RSA 5:10-a (effective July 1, 2004). This applies in addition to every stated filing fee — LLC formation is $100 + $2 = $102 total when filed online, for example. The surcharge is not collected by the state; it funds the electronic filing infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New Hampshire's business search support phonetic or 'sounds like' name matching?
Yes. QuickStart offers a Soundex option that returns phonetically similar business names, plus a separate similar-sounding search for a business's home-state name if it was formed elsewhere. Registered agent names also support a Soundex variant.
Can I verify a New Hampshire Certificate of Good Standing online for free?
Yes. Certificates issued through QuickStart can be verified at no charge using the Verify Certificate tool, and no account is needed. Ordering a new certificate, however, requires a QuickStart login.
Why does a New Hampshire online filing cost $2 more than the listed fee?
Every online filing carries a $2.00 electronic handling surcharge under RSA 5:10-a, added on top of the stated fee. For example, LLC formation is listed at $100 but totals $102 when filed online; the surcharge funds the e-filing system.
This guide is informational only and is not affiliated with the New Hampshire Secretary of State's office. Verify current procedures at the official state website. Last verified: August 2026.