Search the business registry

    United States business registry search

    Source-cited registry guidance — access and document fees vary by source.

    Search Company Records in United States

    Free basic search · no sign-up required.

    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamContent reviewed June 2026Primary source: SEC EDGAR

    How do I search the business registry in United States?

    Use SEC EDGAR as a starting source for United States, then check its scope for the business form you need. Types can include Corporation (C-Corp), S-Corporation. A trading name may need a separate source or document; it does not automatically identify a legal entity. Official access requirements vary.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Search the trading name you were given

      Start with the name on the invoice, website or contract. It is often a trading name rather than the registered legal name.

    2. 2

      Identify the legal entity behind it

      SEC EDGAR records the legal entity. Matching a trading name to its registered entity is the whole point of a registry search — the two are frequently different.

    3. 3

      Check the entity type

      United States recognises Corporation (C-Corp), S-Corporation. Entity type determines liability and who is legally responsible, so it matters before you contract.

    4. 4

      Note what the registry does not cover

      Sole traders and unregistered activity may not appear at all. An absent record is not automatically proof of fraud — it can simply mean the business is not required to register.

    Open SEC EDGARAll United States records

    United States: choosing and checking the right record

    Choose the correct source
    Search the formation state's business register for an LLC or corporation. SEC EDGAR is a securities-disclosure system, not a national list of all US companies. Use the state links on this page to select the right register.
    Confirm the entity
    Save the state and entity/file number together. The same name can exist in multiple states. A foreign qualification is permission to register outside the formation state, not a separate original incorporation.

    Check current access and document options on the official United States company sources site. For search limitations and missing-result guidance, see the United States registry guide.

    Frequently asked questions

    What does the United States business registry cover?

    SEC EDGAR records Corporation (C-Corp), S-Corporation. Businesses that are not legally required to register — commonly small sole traders — may not appear.

    Can I search the United States business registry by trading name?

    Some sources index trading names; others require the legal name or a separate business-name search. Ask for the contracting entity's legal name and identifier when the relationship is unclear.

    Is a business registry search free in United States?

    LemReveal's basic lookup is free where supported. Official searches, records and documents have their own access conditions; check SEC EDGAR's current terms.

    What if a United States business has no registry entry?

    It may not be required to register, or it may be trading under a different legal name. Ask for the registration number directly before assuming either.

    How do I look up a US company?

    For public companies, search SEC EDGAR by company name to find filings like 10-K annual reports and 8-K material events. For private companies, you'll need to search the specific state's Secretary of State website where the company is incorporated.

    People also ask about search the business registry in United States

    The exact questions searchers type into Google — answered from the primary source.

    Is the United States company register free to search?

    Yes. Basic company lookups on the United States company sources are free — you can search by company name or registration number, view legal status, registered address and (usually) directors at no cost. Some jurisdictions charge a small fee only for downloading full filed documents.

    What is the official United States business registry?

    The United States company sources is the official public register of companies incorporated in United States. It is operated by the government and is the primary source cited on this page — https://www.sec.gov/edgar.

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