SOS Business Search

How to search South Dakota business entities online

Updated August 2026

Quick Answer

South Dakota's business search is SOSEnterprise at sosenterprise.sd.gov, run by the Secretary of State. Search by business name (Starts With or Contains) or Business ID — registered agent lookups use the separate RA Search tool on the same portal — with no account needed to search. Filing documents or ordering certificates requires a free SOSEnterprise registration, even though searching itself needs no account at all.

  1. Go to SOSEnterprise at sosenterprise.sd.gov.
  2. Search by business name or Business ID (use the separate RA Search for agent name).
  3. Review the result for the entity's status and filing details.
Open Official South Dakota Entity Search Portal ↗

What the search covers

The database covers all entity types registered with the Secretary of State: domestic and foreign LLCs (including series LLCs), corporations (profit and nonprofit), LLPs, limited partnerships, cooperatives, and DBA/fictitious name registrations for sole proprietorships and other businesses. Trademarks are searchable through a separate tool, the Trademark Search, also on sosenterprise.sd.gov.

Search options

Two primary search modes are available:

  • Business Name — with "Starts With" or "Contains" match options; an "Active Entities Only" checkbox filters to currently active records
  • Business ID — direct lookup by the SOS-assigned entity identifier

Registered agent searches use a separate portal, the RA Search, which searches by agent name or RA number. No officer or director search is available in the public portal.

Annual report — anniversary-month due date

South Dakota annual reports are due on the first day of the entity's anniversary month each year (limited partnerships and business trusts are exempt from this requirement). An entity formed on July 20 has its annual report due July 1 each subsequent year. Reports may be filed starting two months before the due date. Entities that have not filed become delinquent two months after the due date, at which point a $55 late fee applies per the Secretary of State's fee schedule, and continued non-filing can lead to administrative dissolution. Nonprofit corporations must still file but are exempt from the late fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I search South Dakota business registered agents?

Through a separate tool called RA Search on sosenterprise.sd.gov, which looks up entities by registered agent name or RA number — separate from the main business entity search, which has no officer or director lookup.

Can I filter South Dakota business search results to active entities only?

Yes. South Dakota's Business Name search includes an 'Active Entities Only' checkbox that filters out dissolved or inactive records, along with Starts With and Contains matching options for the name itself.

When are South Dakota annual reports due?

On the first day of the entity's anniversary month each year (limited partnerships and business trusts are exempt). Entities become delinquent two months after the due date, triggering a $55 late fee — though nonprofit corporations are exempt from that fee.

Compare Other States

Entity search rules, fees, and offices are set state by state. These are the states closest to South Dakota — useful if you're comparing how a neighboring state runs the same process.

Helpful Guides

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.