How to search New York business entities online
Official Resource
New York Official SOS WebsiteNew York business entity records are maintained by the New York Department of State (DOS), Division of Corporations. The public search database is at apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry. In New York, the Secretary of State functions as a department head within the DOS; there is no separate SOS office for business filings.
Updated August 2026
New for 2026: beneficial owner disclosure and no more fax filings
Effective January 1, 2026, non-exempt LLCs formed under a foreign country's laws that are authorized to do business in New York must file initial and annual beneficial ownership disclosure statements with the DOS. Separately, the Division of Corporations no longer accepts filings or requests by fax — submit by email or mail instead.
What the search covers
The database covers business corporations, not-for-profit corporations, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and limited liability partnerships filed with the DOS Division of Corporations, along with assumed business names (DBA) filed by those entities with the DOS. Assumed names filed by sole proprietors and general partnerships at the county clerk level are not in this database.
Search options
Three name-matching modes are available:
- Base Word — strips corporate designators (LLC, Inc., Corp.) and searches on the core words; the broadest option and the best starting point for availability checks
- Contains — returns all entities whose name includes your search string
- Begins With — returns entities whose name starts with your string
You can also search directly by DOS ID, or by Assumed Name / Assumed Name ID for DBA registrations. Results can be filtered by entity type (Corporation, LLC, Limited Partnership, or LLP) and by status (Active, Inactive, or Suspended). Results display the current entity name, date of organization, jurisdiction, county, registered agent (if any), and current status; business corporations that have filed a Biennial Statement also show the CEO's name and principal business location.
New York LLC — the newspaper publication requirement
New York imposes a publication requirement on newly formed LLCs that has no parallel in most other states. Within 120 days of the DOS issuing the Articles of Organization, the LLC must publish a notice of formation in two newspapers designated by the county clerk of the county where the LLC's principal office is located — one daily and one weekly. After publication, an Affidavit of Publication must be filed with the DOS. Failure to complete publication can result in the LLC's authority to conduct business in New York being suspended.
Publication costs vary significantly by county, since the county clerk designates which newspapers qualify and their rates differ; costs tend to run highest in New York City counties and lower upstate. Get a quote from the designated newspapers before settling on a principal office county.
Biennial Statements — New York's ongoing compliance requirement
Unlike most states that require annual reports, New York requires a Biennial Statement every two years for business corporations and LLCs, filed in the calendar month in which the entity's original Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Organization, or Application for Authority was filed. The fee is $9, payable online through the DOS's e-Statement Filing Service. LLPs are not subject to this requirement.
New York emails a reminder at the start of the due month if an email address is on file. There is no separate late fee — a lapsed Biennial Statement instead shows on the entity's record as 'past due,' which can block Certificates of Status and other transactions until it is filed.
This guide is informational only and is not affiliated with the New York Department of State. Verify current procedures at the official state website. Last verified: August 2026.