How to Look Up a Business License or Registration

To look up a business license or registration, go straight to two official sources: the state's Secretary of State business entity database (to confirm the company legally exists and is in good standing) and the relevant state licensing board (to verify any industry-specific license). Both are public and free — there's no need for a paid lookup service.

People confuse two different things here. A business registration proves an LLC or corporation is legally formed. A business license is permission to operate in a specific industry or location. You often need to check both.

Step 1: Verify the entity registration

Search the Secretary of State portal for the state where the business is registered — usually its formation state, not necessarily where it operates. Enter the exact legal name and check the status (Active, Good Standing, Suspended, or Dissolved), entity type, formation date, and registered agent. Searchadex links to every state's official portal on our Business Records page.

Step 2: Check for the right industry license

Licensing is handled by state boards and, sometimes, county or city agencies. Contractors, real estate agents, healthcare providers, financial advisors, and many trades each have a dedicated licensing board with a free public lookup. Verify active status, license class, expiration date, and any disciplinary history.

Step 3: Confirm local permits if needed

Some businesses also need a local business operating license or sales-tax permit issued by the city or county. Check the local clerk or revenue office where the business operates if the activity is location-specific.

Step 4: Watch for red flags

A 'Suspended' or 'Dissolved' entity generally cannot legally contract. An expired or revoked professional license, or a license held in a different name than the business, is a serious warning sign worth resolving before you proceed.

Step 5: Save your findings

Screenshot or download the entity record and license verification with the date. Official records update in real time, so a search you run today reflects the current status — unlike a third-party aggregator that may show stale data.

Frequently asked questions

Is a business registration the same as a license? No. Registration forms the legal entity; a license grants permission to operate in a regulated industry. Many businesses need both.

Does every business need a license? Not all. Some require only state registration, while regulated industries require one or more licenses. It depends on the activity and location.

Can I check another company's license? Yes. License and registration records are public, so you can verify any business you plan to hire or partner with.

Start your search on the Searchadex Business Records page, and verify professional credentials through our License Lookup tools. Doing business across state lines? Keeping that registration compliant matters too.

Searchadex links only to official government and verified sources. We do not charge for searches and do not resell your data.