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    United States registry entity search

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

    Search Company Records in United States

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

    How do I find the right registered entity in United States?

    A registry entity search in United States identifies which specific legal entity you are dealing with when a name is shared across several. SEC EDGAR distinguishes them by registration number, entity type (Corporation (C-Corp), S-Corporation, Limited Liability Company (LLC)) and registered address.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Search the name and expect several hits

      Groups commonly register holding, trading and dormant entities under near-identical names. The first result is not necessarily the one you are dealing with.

    2. 2

      Disambiguate by registration number

      The registration number is unique. If a counterparty cannot give you theirs, that is itself informative.

    3. 3

      Compare entity type and address

      Where the number is unavailable, entity type (Corporation (C-Corp), S-Corporation, Limited Liability Company (LLC)) and registered address usually separate the candidates.

    4. 4

      Record which entity you chose

      Contracts are with an entity, not a brand. Note the registration number you verified so later checks look at the same record.

    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

    Why do several United States entities share the same name?

    Groups register separate legal entities — holding, operating, dormant — under closely related names. SEC EDGAR treats each as a distinct entity with its own registration number.

    How do I tell which entity I am contracting with?

    By registration number. Ask the counterparty for it, then confirm that exact number on SEC EDGAR. Name alone is not sufficient.

    Is entity search on SEC EDGAR free?

    Check official search, account and fee rules. LemReveal's basic lookup is separate from official document and subscription charges.

    Does the biggest entity in the results matter most?

    No. What matters is the entity named on your contract or invoice. A dormant shell and a trading company in the same group look similar in a name search and carry very different risk.

    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 find the right registered entity 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.

    Related guides and tools

    More United States guides

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