This page helps users complete a Business Entity Search in North Carolina and understand which official tools to use for business registrations, assumed names, and recent registration changes.
The main public resource is the North Carolina Secretary of State Business Registration search, with related services for assumed business names, annual reports, certified documents, and business registration support.
Search Business Registration
Use the North Carolina Secretary of State’s Search Business Registration tool to look up business registration records by name or related search fields.
- Search type
- Words
- Organizational name
- Individual name fields: Last, First, and Middle
After entering the information, run the search and review the matching business registration results. Keep spellings broad when a name may have punctuation, initials, or alternate wording.
- Choose the search type that best matches the information you have.
- Enter the organization name or individual name fields shown on the search form.
- Select Search to view available matching records.
Use the search manually. The Secretary of State’s online search tools are for interactive, real-time use, and automated or scripted searches are not permitted.
Assumed business names and DBA records
For assumed names, doing business as names, or DBA records, use the Secretary of State’s Search Assumed Business Names service instead of the main business registration search.
The assumed name search supports entity type, words, search text, name fields, date range filtering, and county selection. If no county is selected, all counties are searched.
New companies and registration changes
The Secretary of State also provides a Business Registration changes search for new companies and changes. It supports date fields, company type filters, and county filters.
Company type options include business corporations, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, nonprofit corporations, professional corporations, professional limited liability companies, banks, cooperatives, and other listed entity types.
Business Registration Division services
The Business Registration Division records information required for business entities and provides that information to the public. The division acts in an administrative capacity and cannot give legal advice.
Related online services include registering a new business, filing a business annual report, reinstating a dissolved business, finding business resources, ordering certified documents, reviewing forms and fees, and checking business registration submissions status.
Posted turn-around times state that online filing is faster, with entity creation listed at 15-20 business days.
Bulk access and data subscriptions
For bulk public data access, use the Secretary of State’s Data Subscription Services. The service lists a Business Registration contract option, with account access information provided after the subscription is set up.
Data subscriptions are separate from interactive public searches. The state notes that, except for assuring that data is available for download, technical support is not offered with a subscription.
North Carolina business registration contact information
Use these contacts for business registration questions, annual reports, service of process, and related Secretary of State support.
- North Carolina Secretary of State Business Registration, Regular Mail: Post Office Box 29622, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0622; Overnight Mail: 2 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-2903; Phone: (919) 814-5400; Fax: (919) 814-5399; Annual Reports Fax: (919) 814-5394; Customer Service: corpinfo@sosnc.gov; Annual Reports: arinfo@sosnc.gov; Notice Mailing: notice@sosnc.gov; Service of Process: sop@sosnc.gov
- North Carolina Secretary of State’s Office, Mailing Address: Post Office Box 29622, Raleigh, North Carolina 27626-0622; Physical Address: 2 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-2903; Phone: (919) 814-5400; Email: corpinfo@sosnc.gov; Hours: M-F 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Data Subscriptions; Email: DataSubscriptions@sosnc.gov
Common questions
Where do I search for a North Carolina business entity?
Use the Secretary of State’s Search Business Registration tool for business registration records.
Where do I search for a DBA or assumed business name?
Use the Search Assumed Business Names service. It allows searching by name information, date range, and county.
Can I run automated business entity searches?
No. The Secretary of State states that its online search tools are for interactive, real-time use, and automated or scripted searches are not permitted.
Who handles North Carolina business registration questions?
The North Carolina Secretary of State Business Registration Division handles business registration questions and related public records support. The main phone number is (919) 814-5400.