Key Takeaways

  • A North Carolina business entity search allows you to check the availability of a business name and access details of existing entities.
  • LLC names must follow state-specific rules, such as ending with “LLC” and avoiding restricted terms like “Inc.” or “Corp.”
  • The North Carolina Secretary of State’s database provides information on entity status, addresses, registered agents, and document filings.
  • Multiple search options exist—by name, SOSID number, registered agent, or company officials—for more accurate results.
  • The database also shows whether a name is reserved or unavailable, which is key when forming a new business.
  • Search results can help with due diligence, competitor analysis, confirming good standing, and preventing trademark conflicts.
  • You can also order certified documents, such as a Certificate of Existence, directly from the SOS website.

A North Carolina Secretary of State business search is a way for individuals to look up specific information on existing business entities in the state, as well as check the availability of a business name if they wish to form a new company.

LLC Name Requirements in North Carolina

To check the availability of a business name, you'll first search for it on the state's online database and compare it with existing business entities. To form an LLC, you'll have to consider the state requirements and restrictions on selecting an LLC name. Your LLC name has to end with the phrase “Limited Liability Company” or the abbreviations “L.L.C.” or “LLC”. LLC is the most common abbreviation.

An LLC name can't imply that the entity is a corporation. The following words and abbreviations are prohibited from use anywhere in an LLC name: 

  • Corporation.
  • Incorporated.
  • Corp.
  • Inc.

Business names have to be distinguishable, so they can't be too similar to existing business names. 

If you have different designators (the identifiers found at the end of an entity name), that's not enough to make a name distinguishable. For example, “Apple Jack, Inc.” isn't distinguishable from “Apple Jack Corp.”

Differences in grammar don't make a name distinguishable. This includes variations such as singular versus plural and possessive forms. For instance, these two names aren't distinguishable: “A Pet Store” and “A Pet's Store.” 

Different articles (“A”  versus “An” or “The”) don't create distinguishability, so “A Vacuum Shop” isn't unique different from “The Vacuum Shop.”

Other items that don't create distinguishability include the following: 

  • Conjunctions (“or” and “and.”)
  • Ampersand  versus spelling out “and.”
  • Punctuation, such as periods, commas, hyphens, slashes, etc.
  • Numerical differences, such as spelling out numbers versus using digits.

If a business name is too “deceptively similar” to an existing entity name, it's not unique enough to use.

The key points in all of these restrictions and rules are the following: 

  • Your desired business name must be unique and not too similar to existing business names.
  • If you can't use your desired name, be creative and come up with a variation of the name that makes it distinguishable. You want a business name that stands out and won't be confused with existing names.

Additional tips for good LLC name creation include the following: 

  • Choose a name that's easy to spell. You want customers to easily find you, so don't make it hard by naming your business something that's difficult to spell.
  • Choose a shorter LLC name over a longer, more complicated one. Short names are easier to remember.
  • Choose a name with a positive connotation. You want customers to have a good impression and feeling about your business when they hear the name.

Why Perform a North Carolina Business Entity Search?

Conducting a North Carolina business entity search serves several purposes beyond checking LLC name availability. Entrepreneurs use it to:

  • Verify whether a company name is already taken or deceptively similar.
  • Confirm the legal status of an entity (active, dissolved, merged, or revoked).
  • Access the official business address and registered agent information.
  • Review historical filings, such as amendments or annual reports.
  • Evaluate potential business partners or competitors before entering contracts.

Performing this search is a critical step when forming a new business, merging with another company, or conducting due diligence before signing legal agreements.

Name Search in North Carolina

A name availability search is typically done when an individual is forming a new LLC in the state. In contrast, a business entity search is usually done to get the following types of information about an existing business:

  • Its good-standing status.
  • Whether it's a legally formed entity.
  • Business address details.
  • Registered agent contact details. 

To conduct a search by name, visit the Search page at the North Carolina Secretary of State's website. 

  1. Enter the business name you want information about in the menu field, and click “Search.” In the drop-down menu, you can select the search type.
  2. On the next page, you'll find the business you're searching for in the results.
  3. Click the entity name for additional details.
  4. Next, you'll see a page that contains all information currently on file with the Secretary of State's office. If you have an account at the site and you're logged in, you can also purchase documents such as a Certificate of Existence.

When checking business name availability, you'll find entities with various statuses attached to their names. If any of the following statuses show up next to an existing business, you won't be able to use that name for your business: 

  • Administratively Dissolved.
  • Auto Dissolved.
  • Current-Active.
  • Converted.
  • Merged.
  • Dissolved.
  • Reserved Name.
  • Multiple.
  • Revoked.
  • Suspended.
  • Withdrawn.

It's simple to find public information using the state database, whether you want details about an existing business or you need to check the availability of a business name you wish to use.

Search Methods in the North Carolina SOS Database

The Secretary of State’s website provides multiple ways to carry out a North Carolina business entity search:

  • By Business Name: Enter the exact or partial name to see all matching entities.
  • By SOSID Number: Use the state-issued identification number for the most precise results.
  • By Registered Agent: Search for businesses managed by a specific agent.
  • By Company Officials: Look up entities tied to an individual’s name.

Each result includes the entity’s status, date of formation, principal office address, registered agent details, and links to filed documents. Having multiple search options ensures accuracy, especially if a business operates under a common or generic name.

Understanding Entity Statuses in North Carolina

When reviewing search results, you’ll encounter specific entity statuses that determine whether a name is available:

  • Current-Active – The business is in good standing and operating.
  • Dissolved or Administratively Dissolved – The entity is no longer active but may still block name reuse.
  • Reserved Name – Indicates someone has temporarily secured the name.
  • Merged, Withdrawn, or Revoked – The entity has ceased operating in its original form.

Understanding these statuses helps entrepreneurs know whether they can move forward with their preferred name or need to adjust their selection.

Accessing Business Records and Certificates

Through the SOS portal, users can access more than just entity names. Logged-in users can:

  • Purchase a Certificate of Existence to prove a company is legally registered.
  • Download annual reports, amendments, and formation documents.
  • Review historical filings to understand a company’s compliance record.

These records are essential for lenders, investors, and legal professionals who need verified documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the purpose of the North Carolina business entity search?
    It helps confirm business name availability, verify entity status, and access official records such as registered agent details and annual filings.
  2. Can I reserve a business name in North Carolina?
    Yes. The SOS allows you to file a name reservation, which temporarily protects your desired business name while you prepare formation documents.
  3. Is searching by SOSID number more accurate than by name?
    Yes. Searching by SOSID number ensures you find the exact entity, while name searches may return multiple similar results.
  4. Can I order documents from the Secretary of State’s website?
    Yes. You can order certified documents, including Certificates of Existence and filed reports, directly from the database.
  5. Do dissolved businesses block name availability?
    In many cases, yes. Even dissolved or revoked entities may prevent you from registering a similar name if it is deemed “deceptively similar.”

If you need help with a business search in North Carolina or another state, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.