Verify company registration

    How to check if a company is registered in United States

    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 check if a company is registered in United States?

    To check if a company is registered in United States, search its exact registration number or legal name on SEC EDGAR (https://www.sec.gov/edgar). Compare the identifier and available identity fields before reading the recorded status. A name-only match is a candidate, not confirmation. Official access requirements and document fees vary.

    Step-by-step

    1. 1

      Open the official SEC EDGAR

      Go to https://www.sec.gov/edgar. This is the primary government-operated source.

      https://www.sec.gov/edgar
    2. 2

      Search by name or number

      Use the legal name or identifier supported by SEC EDGAR. Trading-name and partial-name searches are not universal.

    3. 3

      Check status and legal name

      Compare the exact identifier and legal name. Preserve the source's status wording: historical and dissolved entities can still have registry records.

    4. 4

      Cross-check the registered address

      Compare the available registered address with the counterparty's documents. A registered office can differ legitimately from a trading address; clarify the difference rather than treating it as evidence of misconduct.

    5. 5

      Download the official extract (optional)

      Most registers let you download a formal extract or certificate. Use this for KYC, procurement, or contract files.

    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

    How do I check if a company is registered in United States?

    Search the exact registration number on SEC EDGAR at https://www.sec.gov/edgar, then compare the legal name and available identity details. Read the status and its date in the source's own terminology. Name similarity alone does not confirm the entity.

    How can I check if a United States company is still active?

    Read the status on the exact entity's SEC EDGAR record, preserving its wording and retrieval date. Liquidation is not the same as dissolution: an entity can remain registered while undergoing liquidation. A registry status is not a solvency or trustworthiness assessment.

    Is a United States company with a website automatically registered?

    No. A website, email domain or invoice letterhead proves nothing. The only authoritative proof is a current entry in SEC EDGAR with a matching legal name and registration number.

    What proves a United States company is legally registered?

    An entry in SEC EDGAR with an "active" or equivalent status is the definitive proof. The registration number returned by SEC EDGAR is the authoritative identifier.

    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 check if a company is registered 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.

    How can I check if a United States company is legitimate?

    Look the company up on the United States company sources. If the entity returns an "active" (or equivalent local status) result, matches the registered address on its invoices, and its listed directors match who is signing your contract, it is a real registered entity. Anything reported as "dissolved", "struck off" or "in liquidation" should be treated with caution.

    What information can I get about a United States company for free?

    Free public data from the United States company sources typically includes: legal name, registration number, incorporation date, registered address, current status, business type, and current directors / officers. Historical filings and certified copies may carry a small fee.

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