How to search New Jersey business entities online

What the search covers

The DORES registry covers domestic and foreign for-profit corporations, nonprofit corporations, LLCs, LLPs, limited partnerships, and trade names. The Business Name Search is designed primarily for availability checks and basic lookups. The Business Records Service provides a fuller search and Standing Certificate ordering.

Search options — Business Records Service

The Business Records Service supports:

• Business Name — with wildcard matching (the "%" character appended automatically)
• Entity ID
• Principal Name — officers, directors, members, managers
• Registered Agent Name
• Associated Name — alternate, fictitious, or previous names

Certificates of Standing can be ordered directly from search results; short-form and long-form certificates are both available. The certificate can be validated online at njportal.com/DOR/businessrecords — Validate.

Two-step registration process

Forming a business entity in New Jersey is a two-step process. First, file the Certificate of Formation (or equivalent) with DORES through the online portal. Second, file a separate NJ-REG business registration to establish tax and employer accounts with the NJ Department of the Treasury. Both steps are required; the Certificate of Formation alone does not complete the tax registration.

Notes on fax filing and records timing

As of October 20, 2025, DORES retired its legacy fax machines for filing submissions; filings that previously went by fax now go through an online replacement application instead of a physical fax line. Electronic filings are typically reflected in the state's business records within two business days of submission.