How to search Wisconsin business entities online

Wisconsin business entity records are searchable at apps.dfi.wi.gov/apps/corpsearch/search.aspx, operated by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Division of Corporate and Consumer Services. Wisconsin does not have a Secretary of State that handles business entity registration; the DFI fills that role. The older wdfi.wi.gov domain no longer resolves — use dfi.wi.gov for the information site and apps.dfi.wi.gov for the entity search. No account, CAPTCHA, or payment is required to search.

What the search covers

The database covers 24 entity type classifications registered with the DFI: domestic and foreign corporations, LLCs, LPs, LLPs, cooperatives, statutory trusts, and other registered entity types. The DFI does not register sole proprietorships, general partnerships, or DBAs — those are not state-registered entities in Wisconsin.

Search options

Basic search supports entity name lookup with Starts With or All Words matching. The Advanced Search adds:

• Registered Agent Name
• Entity Type Filter — 24 classification options
• Entity Status Filter — active, inactive, or both
• Current vs. Historical Names — whether to search former entity names
• Registration Date Range

A separate Name Availability Search tool is available for proposed name checks. There is no officer or member name search — the DFI explicitly does not store officer names, member names, federal EINs, or phone numbers in its public database.

Annual report due dates — quarter-based system

Wisconsin annual reports are due by the last day of the calendar quarter in which the entity's formation anniversary falls. A corporation formed in February has its anniversary in the first quarter, so its annual report is due March 31. An LLC formed in August has its anniversary in the third quarter and is due September 30. Foreign entities always file by March 31 regardless of their registration date.

This guide is informational only and is not affiliated with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions or any state agency. Verify current procedures at dfi.wi.gov — Business Entities. Source: Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, verified May 2026.