Rhode Island Secretary of State – RI SOS Business Search

Rhode Island Secretary of State Business Services Division
Address: 148 West River Street, Providence, RI 02904-2615
Telephone: 1(401)222-3040
Fax: 1(401)222-3879
Website: www.sos.ri.gov
E-Mail: forms.sos.ri.gov/Contactus
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Lookup a Business Entity

Step 1 – Start

Search for a business entity (Corporation, LLC, Limited Partnership) in Rhode Island by going to the Secretary of State’s Website. Lookup by Name, ID Number, Filing Number, Registered Agent, Principal Office Address, Purpose of Business, or by Officer (President, VP, Treasurer, etc.). Be sure if you use the ‘Name’ option that you try and use as many matching terms in order to narrow the results.

After you have decided on which lookup option to use you will be directed to the Results Page (As Seen Below).

Step 2 – Choose Your Entity

Now you may view all the matching listings and be able to preview their Name, ID Number, Charter, Status/Standing (with the Secretary of State), and Type of entity. When you have found your selection you will want to click on the blue text link in the ‘Name’ column. This will redirect you to the Information Page (See Sample Below).

Step 3 – Retrieve Information

You have completed your search and now be able to view all the information on file about the entity that is located with the Secretary of State. Feel free to view its Name, Type, ID Number, Date of Incorporation, Effective Date, Principal Office Address, Registered Agent, and all Officers.

You may also be able to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing at the top of the Page and view any Previous Filings by scrolling to the bottom.

Step 4 – Steps to form your new Business in Rhode Island

• Business name availability search (above)
• Internet domain availability search for website and email.
• Choose your entity type (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, Partnership, or Non-Profit Org)
• Obtain IRS EIN Number (employer identification number).  Create New IRS EIN Number
• Create Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws that include describing the business purpose of the entity, naming the registered agent, directors, registered address, operating guidelines, dissolution provisions, and other information.
• Determine if the new entity requires any federal, state, or local business licenses.
• Determine payroll tax requirements.
• Determine federal, state, and local tax filing requirements.
• Establish the business physical and/or mailing address, phone number, voicemail, website, email address, and business cards.