You can perform an NYS LLC lookup for a number of reasons. The Department of State Division of Records in New York maintains the LLC database. Most business owners will register their LLC in their home state to make formation easier as well as avoid paying additional franchise taxes and having multiple annual report filing requirements in multiple states.

Limited Liability Companies are capable of being formed in one state and do business in multiple ones although being registered in each state is necessary. While this is an attractive option for many business owners, it's also prohibitive to some due to the additional fees, licenses, and annual filing requirements. 

To stay in good standing in each state that you do business in, you would need to pay any annual fees and file required annual reports in every state. When these fees and filing requirements are due, the Secretary of State's office in each state that you do business in will send you a renewal notice to your registered agent in that state. If you miss any of the deadlines, fail to file the reports, or lapse on any fees and taxes, you can face fines as well as receive notices that your LLC may no longer continue to do business in the state.

When it comes to choosing which state to form your LLC in, it is generally best to form in the state where you will conduct most of your business though some owners may base their decision on such things as the filing requirements of each state. Some states will not require LLCs to hold an annual meeting and report their minutes, but it is often recommended that they still do so. This is a good way for businesses to update their records and records any changes in procedures, personnel, and management.
In most states, even with those that do not require annual reports, renewal of applicable business licenses do apply, tax registrations, and permits most often on an annual basis.

There are many reasons that a business or an individual may want to perform a search of limited liability corporations in a specific state. These databases hold a lot of information on companies that conduct business in the state. Some of the most common reasons that individuals or businesses search for an LLC include:

  • Finding out the business address of an LLC.
  • Finding out the address of an LLC's registered agent.
  • Determining the standing of a limited liability company.
  • Determining if the LLC was legally formed.
  • When a new business is selecting a name for their LLC.

One of the most common reasons to perform and LLC search is to check for name availability in the state. When forming an LLC in New York, you can search the database at the New York State's Department of State Division of Records to determine if the LLC name is available.

Filing a DBA in New York

To get approval to operate in the state of New York, you will have to file your company with the New York Secretary of State. If you have an LLC that has already been formed under a name and are looking to do business under a different name, you will have to file for a DBA, or the doing business as designation. 

To file for a DBA in New York, you will need to file a certificate that complies with General Business Law Section 130. While an LLC must conduct its business under its true legal name, they can file for a DBA to use another name for a variety of reasons. Most companies seek out a DBA to:

  • Open a bank account under a different name
  • Process transactions under a different name
  • Build local brand equity under a different name

To set up a DBA in New York there are a few steps that you will need to go through. You will need to:

  • Make sure that the new name is not currently in use by another company registered in the state
  • Make sure it follows the naming guidelines laid out by the state
  • File the paperwork to begin operating under an assumed name

If you need help with an NYS LLC lookup, 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.