Business Entity Searches: East Coast States

A business entity search finds information about registered businesses within a specific state. It can provide a business's official name, legal status, owners, formation date, etc. This guide walks through some east coast state systems, including New York, Massachusetts, Delaware, and Florida.

Also see our guides on other popular states and general business entity searches.

New York

New York state entity search recalls information on businesses and assumed names (DBAs).

Step 1

Begin at the Corporation and Business Entity Database. Choose to search by entity name, DOS (Department of State) ID, assumed name, or assumed name ID.

Step 2

Input data point(s) and search. You must include entity type in the search criteria, even if checking all four entity options. Review relevant search results. For example, Jamba Juice returns just one business result, as shown below.

Step 3

Click on the business name for more details. New York provides a lot of information in their database. Entity details are located at the top of the page, and you can toggle between entity display, name history, filing history, merger history, and assumed name history.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Business Entity Search system offers more advanced assistance here.

Step 1

Start at the Business Entity portal. Search by entity name, individual name, identification number, or filing number.

Step 2

Input data point(s) and search. Review search results. Jamba Juice returns one business result, as shown below. You may also print the results page.

Step 3

Click on the business name for more information. Massachusetts offers a lot of business data, including easy access to filings like annual reports. Users can also request Certificates of Good Standing directly from the business information page.

Delaware

Delaware’s General Information Search returns context on the entity name, file number, incorporation/formation date, registered agent name, address, phone number, and residency. Additional information can be obtained for a fee.

Step 1

Start at the General Information Search, inputting either the entity name or filing number.

Step 2

After inputting the data point(s), search and review results. Jamba Juice returns six results, as shown below.

Step 3

Click on the business name for more information. You can review the basic information provided for free, and you can pay a fee to get additional details on the business's status, tax, and history.

Florida

Florida’s Search Records contain data on corporations, LLCs, LPs, trademarks, fictitious names (DBAs), general and limited liability partnerships, judgment liens, federal lien registrations, and cable franchises. See their guides for more detailed directions.

Step 1

Select the exact database you want to search, for this example we will select “Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, Limited Partnerships, and Trademarks”. Then, customize the search criteria, in this case by items like entity name, registered agent name, EIN, zip code, and more.

Step 2

Input data point(s) and search. Review search results. Jamba Juice returns many results, as shown below.

Step 3

Click on the business name for more information. Florida provides context on business filing, address, registered agent, authorized persons, and annual report links. Also available are images of documents submitted to the state. Toggle through search results to see information on different companies.