North carolina state secretary of state corporations search

You can find information about any company or business entity in North Carolina or other states by searching on the website of the state or region where the company is registered. This website integrates links to the websites of the Secretary of State of various states or regions in the United States. Use the links below to jump directly to the correct North Carolina search page, or find pages in other states. This website is not affiliated with any government agency, so no user fees are charged. Please note that while most states provide basic company registration information for free, some states may have to pay to obtain more detailed information.

When starting a new business, it is advisable to record your business name with the Register of Deeds Office. Such business names are referred to as assumed names. This Office handles filings for sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations doing business under an assumed name. Meanwhile, the Department of Secretary of State oversees the incorporation of businesses.

Before filing the "doing business as" (dba) or assumed name certificate, it is recommended that you perform a name search to determine if the proposed business name has already been filed in Craven County. The Register of Deeds Office cannot perform the name search for you, but is happy to assist you with the name search. The fee for recording an assumed name is $26 for the first fifteen pages and $4 for each additional page thereafter. The completed form may be hand-delivered or mailed in for recording. To get forms, you may go to the BLNC website.

ASSUMED BUSINESS NAMES IN NORTH CAROLINA

IMPORTANT NOTICE OF LAW CHANGE

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING CERTIFICATES OF ASSUMED BUSINESS NAMES

EXPIRATION OF FILED CERTIFICATES OF ASSUMED NAMES

North Carolina law requires individuals, limited and general partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, and other persons that engage in business in this state under an assumed name to file a certificate with a Register of Deeds in a county in which the person or entity will be engaging in business.

EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 1, 2017 

Certificates, amendments and withdrawals must comply with content and execution requirements specified in the statutes for a certificate of assumed business name.  Certificates, amendments, and withdrawals will be transmitted into a statewide, central database  maintained by the NC Secretary of State, which will be available for searches by the public.  The Secretary will maintain a website for this purpose at www.sosnc.gov/br/search. 

The Secretary of State will assign an identification number (SOS ID) to each assumed name that is recorded, to which amendments and withdrawals must refer.  If a business (Corporation, LLC, Partnership) is established with the Secretary of State, the SOS ID number must appear on all filings at the Register of Deeds office upon presentation.  The established SOS ID number may be obtained at www.sosnc.gov/br/search. 

Certificates of assumed names filed under the prior law will EXPIRE DECEMBER 1, 2022.  

Someone desiring to engage in business in NC under the assumed name after that date must file an assumed name certificate in the new form.

Assumed Business Name Certificate (NCGS 66-71.5)

Amendment of Assumed Business Name Certificate (NCGS 66-71.7)

Withdrawal of Assumed Name Certificate (NCGS 66-71.8)

Ready to Start Your New Business?

C Corporation

Incorporating a business requires the preparation and filing of a Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State in the state in which you decide to incorporate. Once the corporation is established, it becomes its own separate legal entity and is subject to the laws governing corporations in the state of incorporation.

Using CorpNet® services to incorporate your business can save you both time and money with service that is fast, reliable, and affordable with a 100% money back guarantee.

Limited Liability Company

An LLC offers some of the same benefits of a corporation, but without the costs and compliance complexity. Business owners that are looking for personal liability protection, tax flexibility, and management options may find that forming an LLC will be an ideal choice for their company.

Forming an LLC requires filing Articles of Organization with the state in which the LLC will operate. CorpNet can register an LLC in all 50 states to enable them to save time and money—and to ensure their documents are submitted accurately.

CorpNet®is not in any way affiliated with the Secretary of State of this or any other state and/or governmental agency. CorpNet is a document filing service that works with state and government agencies in all 50 states to assist small business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals with their document filing needs. Please see the disclaimer at the bottom of this page and for further information please read our Web Site Terms of Use.

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