New York Secretary of State – NY SOS Business Search

The New York Secretary of State website is the go-to platform if you’re looking to start a business in New York or obtain information about an existing business.

In this guide, we’ll take you through the step-by-step process of searching New York business entity records and registering your own business entity in the state.

We’ll also address some of the most frequently asked questions about starting a business in New York.

New York Secretary of State Corporations Division
Address: One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12231-0001
Telephone: 1 (518) 473-2492
Website: www.dos.ny.gov/corps/
E-Mail: https://dos.ny.gov/form/contact-us

The website has a section where you can search corporations and business entities in New York, while new business applications are processed via www.businessexpress.ny.gov.

How to Find Business Entity Records for Businesses in New York

To search for a business in New York, you need to go to the Public Enquiry page of the New York Department of State website.

The search form allows you to browse businesses registered in New York by their name or ID and filter by entity type (corporation, LLC, limited partnership or limited liability partnership) and status (active, inactive or suspended).

If you don’t know the full name of the business then you can search by a partial name. For example, if we enter ‘beauty’, status ‘active’ and type ‘Limited Liability Company’ then the website generates this list of active New York LLCs with the word beauty in their business name:

We can then select any individual business to find out more about that business. 

For example, selecting Beauty & Beast Sleepwear LLC takes s to a page that shows the business DOS ID, filing dates, business address and registered agent name.

How to Register a Business Entity in New York

To register a business in New York, you need to go to New York Business Express.

As well as processing applications for new businesses and filing documents, New York Business Express also features a new business starter guide, a business checklist, and details of support and incentives available to new business owners.

To register a new LLC in New York, you should select ‘Articles of Organization for a Domestic Limited Company’ from the New York Business Express homepage, or go directly to the LLC registration form.

From here, you can create a NY.gov account and apply as a business owner or on someone else’s behalf.

It costs $200 to register an LLC in New York. There are also some optional costs, such as a Certificate of Publication ($50), name reservation ($20), and name availability check ($5).

The standard processing time for an LLC application is 7 days, though you can pay an additional fee for expedited handling. 

FAQs

What are the subtypes of business entity in New York?

New York recognizes various business entities, including limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships.

What is the difference between a corporation and an LLC in New York?

In New York, both corporations and LLCs are independent legal entities from their owners. The primary distinction lies in the flexibility of management and tax arrangements, with LLCs offering more versatility.

Does LLC have to be in the name of a business entity in New York?

Yes, all LLCs in New York must include either the abbreviation ‘LLC’ or the words ‘Limited Liability Company’ in their business name.

What are the benefits of an LLC in New York?

The main advantage of an LLC in New York is the legal separation it establishes between the business and its owner, limiting the owner’s legal and financial liability. Additionally, registering an LLC is cost-effective and simpler compared to registering a corporation, and LLCs offer more flexibility in management and tax options.

How much does it cost to register a business in New York?

It currently costs $200 to register a business in New York, plus optional fees such as name registration for $20.

What is the annual fee for an LLC in New York?

The annual fee for an LLC in New York depends on the business’s gross income. For a business with income of less than $100,000, the fee is $25.

How long does it take to get an LLC in New York?

On average, it takes 7 business days to get an LLC in New York. However, you can pay for expedited processing fee to register your business more quickly.