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Kimberlee LeonardSmall Business Expert Writer
Kimberlee Leonard has 22 years of experience as a freelance writer. Her work has been featured on US News and World Report, Business.com and Fit Small Business. She brings practical experience as a business owner and insurance agent to her role as a small business writer.
Kelly MainStaff Reviewer
Kelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist covering small business marketing content. She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and she holds an MSc in International Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. Additionally, she is a Columnist at Inc. Magazine.
Kimberlee Leonard,
Kimberlee LeonardSmall Business Expert Writer
Kimberlee Leonard has 22 years of experience as a freelance writer. Her work has been featured on US News and World Report, Business.com and Fit Small Business. She brings practical experience as a business owner and insurance agent to her role as a small business writer.
Kelly Main
Kelly MainStaff Reviewer
Kelly Main is a Marketing Editor and Writer specializing in digital marketing, online advertising and web design and development. Before joining the team, she was a Content Producer at Fit Small Business where she served as an editor and strategist covering small business marketing content. She is a former Google Tech Entrepreneur and she holds an MSc in International Marketing from Edinburgh Napier University. Additionally, she is a Columnist at Inc. Magazine.
Small Business Expert Writer, Staff Reviewer
Brette Sember, J.D.contributor
Brette Sember is a retired attorney who has been writing and editing law and legal topics for more than 25 years. She is the author of more than 40 books, is a nationally recognized expert on divorce and family law and has a depth of experience that include estates, probate, finance, business, bankruptcy and more. Her website is www.BretteSember.com.
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Brette Sember, J.D.
Brette Sember, J.D.contributor
Brette Sember is a retired attorney who has been writing and editing law and legal topics for more than 25 years. She is the author of more than 40 books, is a nationally recognized expert on divorce and family law and has a depth of experience that include estates, probate, finance, business, bankruptcy and more. Her website is www.BretteSember.com.
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Reviewed
Updated: Nov 30, 2023, 4:34pm
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.
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Table of Contents
- What Is a Business Entity?
- Search by Name
- Search by ID
- Search by Assumed Name or Assumed Name ID
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Business entities in the state of New York are formed and filed with the New York Department of State. When opening a new business, it’s important to make sure you can legally use the name you have chosen for your business. One of the first things you’ll do to ensure this is to search for the company name.
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What Is a Business Entity?
A business entity is a legally formed company with the right to operate a business in its registered state. The most common types of business entities are corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs).
Starting a Business in New York
When you start a new business in New York, you will register with the state through the Business Express portal. This portal allows you to name your company, register the entity and list the officers and registered agent. It costs $200 to file an LLC with the Business Express portal.
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Forming an LLC in New York
Forming an LLC in the state of New York is a simple process. You’ll need to name a registered agent who can receive legal documents, including taxes and state notices. The registered agent could be the same as the named officer of the company but could also be a hired third party who has the sole obligation to receive documents and forward them to the appropriate person.
Search by Name
One of the first things you’ll do when starting a business is make sure that the name you want to use doesn’t infringe on another legally filed name in the state. This is done by conducting a Business Entity search with the Department of State’s Division of Corporations. The department has a Business Entity Database available to the public for inquiries.
Enter the business entity name. Select whether you want to search for the base word or a name that contains certain words. Choose whether you want to search all entities’ statuses, those that are active, those that are inactive or those that are suspended. Then select the types of business entities you want to search. The site will show you if a business has already been registered with that name.
For example, the search for “John’s Pizza” yields five results when all business entities and all statuses are selected. Remember that you can’t use another company’s name and could get into trademark infringement issues if you do. If your search yields the name you wanted to use, modify the name to make it different.
Search by ID
You can also search by a Department of State (DOS) ID number assigned to a business if you know the number but not their name. Follow the same procedure as above, but select “Search by DOS ID.”
Search by Assumed Name or Assumed Name ID
The site allows you to also search for assumed names. These are DBA (doing business as) names. When a company or person operates a business under a name other than their legal name, they must file a DBA. This allows you to search to see if anyone is doing business under a name you are interested in, or allows you to locate the assumed name associated with an ID number.
Bottom Line
Starting a new business can be exciting, but don’t get lost in the excitement and forget to check the name status that you want to use. You must use an original name that is not in use by another company. If someone else has the rights to that name, they could send a cease and desist letter when you start operations. For more information, learn everything you need to know about how to start a business.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I find out who owns a business in NYC?
When you conduct a business name search on the New York Business Entity Database, the results will list the name of the CEO or principal. It will also list the name and address of the registered agent on file so that legal documents can be served.
How do I find out if a business is legitimate in New York?
You can search the business entity’s name on the Division of Corporations website to see if the company is legally registered in the state. You can also check for licensing with the New York State Department of State Consumer Protection Division.
What is a DBA?
A DBA stands for doing business as. When a person or company operates a business using a name other than their legal name, they must file a DBA so there is a record of who owns the business. Learn more about what is a DBA.
How do I set up an LLC in New York?
Domestic entities pay $200 and file articles of organization and foreign entities pay $250 and submit an Application of Authority to the Department of State. You can submit your documents by mail or online.
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