Business Guides
Plain-English answers to the questions that come up around registering, maintaining, and closing a business entity. Rules on exact fees and forms vary by state, so each guide links out to your state's Secretary of State office for the specifics.
Certificate of Good Standing: What It Is and How to Get One
A one-page proof that your LLC or corporation is current with the state — what it's for, what it costs, and how to request one.
How to Dissolve an LLC: The State Filing Process, Step by Step
Closing an LLC the right way means more than just walking away — here's the filing sequence every state expects.
How to Find Out If a Business Was Dissolved (and Get Proof)
Checking whether an LLC or corporation was closed, revoked, or dissolved — and how to get an official document proving it.
UCC Filing Search: How to Check for Liens on a Business
Uniform Commercial Code filings show which lenders have a claim on a company's assets — here's how to search them and what the results mean.
What Is a Registered Agent, and Who Can Be One?
Every LLC and corporation is required to name one — here's what the job actually involves and who's eligible.
Articles of Incorporation vs. Articles of Organization: What's the Difference?
Both documents create a legal business entity with the state — the difference comes down to which type of entity you're forming.
LLC Annual Report Fees and Deadlines by State
Every state has its own rules for keeping an LLC in good standing — see your state's report frequency, fee, and due date at a glance.
LLC vs. Corporation: Which Structure Fits Your Business?
Both are formed with the same state office — the real differences show up in taxes, ownership, and how much paperwork you're signing up for.
Business License Search: What It Covers and How to Check
Registering an entity with the state isn't the same as holding a license to operate it — here's where licenses actually come from.
How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC? Formation Fees by State
State filing fees for forming an LLC range from under $50 to $500 — see the base cost in your state and how it compares to forming a corporation.
How to Reinstate an Administratively Dissolved LLC
If the state dissolved your LLC for missing a filing — not because you chose to close it — most states let you reverse it. Here's what reinstatement actually involves.
How to Find Out Who a Business's Registered Agent Is
Every active LLC and corporation has one on file with the state, and it's public information — here's how to look one up for a company that isn't yours.
How to Find Out Who Owns an LLC
Most states don't publish LLC member names by default — here's what a business entity search actually reveals about ownership, and where to look when it doesn't.
How to Check If a Business Name Is Available
A free search through your state's business registry tells you if a name is already taken — here's how the check works and what it doesn't guarantee.