Conducting a Wisconsin LLC search is simple. If you're looking into names for your business, or you just want to check the status of an existing business, you can perform a quick search through the Wisconsin Secretary of State webpage to find what you need.

  1. Access the webpage and supply an entity ID number or business name and click Search Records.
  2. The next page will show a list of names that match your search. 
  3. Browse the results until you find the business you want to research.
  4. Click on the highlighted name to view the business' details.
  5. This page will show you all the public information available from the Department of Financial Institutions.
  6. From here, you can either request a Certificate of Status, update your registered agent or office, or file your annual reports.

Name Availability

Before you form a Wisconsin LLC, you should conduct a name availability search. 

Steps to search name availability:

  1. Choose an appropriate name. There are naming guidelines that must be followed.
  2. Use the name availability tool to see if your chosen business name is available for use in Wisconsin.
  3. Check the URL to see if your LLC is available as a URL. Even if you're not looking into building a website, you may want to purchase the domain to keep others from using it and causing confusion with your brand.

You may also want to consider your email address when you choose your LLC name. Get a professional email, such as @companyname.com, with Google apps.

A business entity search is done to find out the following information about a business:

  • Whether it was legally formed
  • If it's in good standing
  • The business address
  • The address of the registered agent

LLC Administrative Tasks

The LLC Administrative task can help you file annual reports and get a Certificate of Good Standing.

Office of the Secretary of State of Wisconsin

The Office of the Secretary of State handles requests for authentications and apostilles. There's a $10 fee per document, with a 3-5-day processing time for standard service. Expedited requests are available for those with serious circumstances and offer a 1-2-day processing time and cost $35 per document. 

Frequently asked questions on Authentication or Apostille Certificate requests can be found here.

The Office of the Secretary of State is run by the elected Secretary of State, who has a four-year term. Wisconsin's Constitution requires that the Secretary of State maintain the official acts of the Governor and Legislature and uphold the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin and append it to the official acts of the Governor. 

The Office oversees responsibilities outlined in the 100 sections of the Wisconsin Statutes, which includes issuing apostilles and authentications, filing oaths of office and filing deeds for property.

The Secretary of State is also a member of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL).

The Office of the Secretary of State upholds these Wisconsin documents:

  • Town, City, and Village Records
  • Forest Land Deeds
  • The complete set of Wisconsin Blue Books dating back to 1853
  • Statutes and Laws of Wisconsin, dating back to 1836

You can get a copy of the Office of the Secretary of State's database online or contact:

The Office of the Secretary of State

P.O. Box 7848

Madison, WI 53707-7848

608-266-8888, press 3

[email protected]

How to Order a Certified Copy of Articles of Incorporation or a Certified Copy of Articles of Organization from Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions

A certified copy of your Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization can be obtained in person, online, or by mail. Online is the easiest method. 

Normal processing time is 7 days, with additional mailing time, and the certified copy costs $10. Expedited service costs an additional $25 and typically takes 2 days or less, with additional mailing time.

Online orders can take up to 7 business days, unless you opt for expedited service, and can be paid by credit card, Visa, or Mastercard only. 

Mail requests require an Order Form that includes the business name, return address, payment, specific request, and daytime phone number to address any questions. Mail requests can only be expedited if you specifically request it and pay additional fees.

Checks or money orders should be payable to: Department of Financial Institutions.

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