A limited liability company (LLC) is a business structure in the United States whereby the owners are not personally liable for the company's debts or liabilities. Limited liability companies are hybrid entities that combine the characteristics of a corporation with those of a partnership or sole proprietorship.
In New York, you can easily search for an LLC. Through Department of State website you can search for various businesses including nonprofit corporations, limited partnerships (LPs), LLCs, and other miscellaneous businesses. This information is available here through their Corporation and Business Entity Database. The database includes assumed name filings for corporations, LLCs, and LPs.
It is important to note that the Department provides a disclaimer that they cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the data provided. If a question arises about the information you obtain through the database, you can call the New York Department of State, Division of Corporations at 512-473-2492. They are open weekdays 8:45 AM - 4:30 PM eastern time.
This business search is a way to contact a business or find out other information you need. You may also desire to search for a company to confirm your information about the business. You can even look up your business to see what is available to the public. It's also a great way to determine whether your desired business name while filing for one is already taken and, therefore, unavailable. Some other reasons for performing a business search are listed below.
In New York, you can find the database here: https://apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/.
You can search for a business using the entity's name, Department of State (DOS) ID, assumed name, and assumed name ID.
You can define the search criteria in several ways.
Information that is available through the New York business search includes the following:
New York is not one of the states that allows anonymous LLC filing. That is, you cannot withhold member or manager information. Section 206 further prevents anonymous LLCs from forming. This regulation requires that LLCs that within 120 days after the effective date of the Articles of Organization, the LLC must publish in two newspapers a copy of the Articles or a notice relating to the establishment of the LLC. Therefore members of an LLC are public information and can be seen through a business search performed on the Department of State website.
If you search and find out your information is listed, and would like to find a way to keep certain information private, it is recommended you consult a business law firm for assistance. It can be especially difficult in New York to withhold information.
Copies of any documents including, but not limited to, the certificates of incorporation, articles of organization, and certificates of amendment filed with the Department of State can be obtained by submitting a request. This can be done online, through mail, in person, or by fax. Click here to access the online request form. For the written requests, you will need to provide the following information:
Make sure to include the fee and the above list of information. Send the documents or go in person to the following address:
New York State Department of State, Division of Corporations, State Records and Uniform Commercial Code 99 Washington Avenue, 6th Floor Albany, NY 12231Fees for written requests sent by fax must be paid using this link beforehand. You need to submit your authorization form showing you have paid the fee. Send all the information for the request and the fee authorization form to (518)-473-1654.
Contact the NYS Department of State, Division of Corporations at (518) 473-2492