How to search New Jersey business entities online
Updated August 2026
Quick Answer
New Jersey's business search is run by DORES (Treasury), not the Secretary of State, at njportal.com/DOR/businessNameSearch for basic lookups or njportal.com/DOR/businessrecords for the fuller Business Records Service. Search by business name, Entity ID, or registered agent to see the entity's status and order a Certificate of Standing. The basic Business Name Search is meant mainly for name-availability checks, while the fuller Business Records Service (linked above) is the better tool for looking up an existing entity's full record.
- Go to the Business Records Service at njportal.com/DOR/businessrecords.
- Search by business name, Entity ID, principal name, or registered agent.
- Open the result to see its status and order a Certificate of Standing if needed.
Not the Secretary of State
New Jersey business entity records are maintained by the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) within the Department of the Treasury — not the Secretary of State, whose office in New Jersey handles elections and civic engagement. Apostilles and notary public commissions are also processed by DORES, not the Secretary of State. Legacy fax filing machines were also retired as of October 20, 2025, replaced by an online filing application, with electronic filings typically reflected in the state's business records within two business days.
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.
Voided vs. Revoked in New Jersey
New Jersey uses two different labels depending on entity type: a domestic entity's charter gets Voided, while a foreign entity's authority to do business gets Revoked. Both come from the same trigger — missing annual reports for two consecutive years, or owing corporation business taxes — the label just depends on whether the entity was formed in New Jersey or registered there from elsewhere.
New Jersey's own term for fixing either one is reinstatement, filed online starting with the annual report. The system itself determines whether a Tax Clearance Certificate is required before it'll process the filing — some entities can reinstate fully online, while others have to wait on the Division of Taxation to issue that clearance first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the New Jersey Secretary of State handle business entity searches?
No. New Jersey business records are maintained by the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) within the Department of the Treasury, not the Secretary of State, which handles elections and civic engagement instead.
Does filing a New Jersey Certificate of Formation also register my business for taxes?
No. Forming a New Jersey entity is a two-step process: file the Certificate of Formation with DORES, then separately file an NJ-REG business registration with the Department of the Treasury to set up tax and employer accounts.
Can I still fax business filings to New Jersey's DORES office?
No. DORES retired its fax machines for filing submissions as of October 20, 2025; filings that previously went by fax now go through an online replacement application. Electronic filings typically appear in state records within two business days.
What's the difference between 'Voided' and 'Revoked' on a New Jersey business search?
Voided applies to a domestic entity's charter; Revoked applies to a foreign entity's authority to do business. Both come from the same trigger — missing annual reports for two consecutive years, or owing corporation business taxes — the label just depends on where the entity was formed.
Do all New Jersey reinstatements require a Tax Clearance Certificate?
Not always — the online reinstatement system determines this automatically. Some entities can reinstate fully online right away, while others have to wait for the Division of Taxation to issue a Tax Clearance Certificate first.