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New Jersey has over 230,000 business entities registered in the state. The bulk of these establishments are in retail trade at over 30,000 registered business entities. Generally, businesses in the state are incorporated as sole proprietorships, nonprofits, corporations, LLCs, partnerships, LLPs, and professional corporations. The Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) under the New Jersey Department of Treasury provides the most up-to-date resources to look up business entity information in the state.

Business entity searches are necessary, whether engaging with a business entity or starting up your own entity in New Jersey. Business entity searches provide a medium to check the official records of registered businesses in New Jersey. Whether for confirming the legitimacy or status of businesses, choosing business names, accessing registered agents' information, or understanding your suppliers, entity searches ensure transparency and build confidence in business dealings.

Choose Your Search Criteria

  • Business Name:
    Business Name:

    Use the registered name of the business to access the record

  • Keyword Search:
    Keyword Search:

    Input multiple keywords in the search criteria

  • Business Entity ID:
    Business Entity ID:

    Use the business entity ten-digit identification number issued at registration

Review Search Results

The result displays information on the business name, entity ID, city of incorporation, type of business entity, and incorporation date.

Access Detailed Information

The following detailed information is accessible on a New Jersey business entity status report:

  • Business ID Number: The identification number issued by the New Jersey DORES.
  • Business Entity Type: The type of business registered, such as Domestic LLCs or Foreign nonprofits.
  • Business Status: Whether the business is active, dissolved, or inactive.
  • Revocation/Suspension: Tax suspension start and end dates.
  • Annual Report Information: The annual report month and the last date the annual report was filed.
  • Agent/Service Information: The registered agent’s name, business address, and mailing address.
  • Associated Names: Any known associated name of the business entity.
  • Principals: A list of all the principals of the company, their titles, and physical and mailing addresses.
  • Filing History: The dates the business filed corporation documents such as change of registered office, charter documents, or amendments to the original certificate

Further Assistance

For further assistance conducting business entity searches in New Jersey, contact the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.

How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in New Jersey?

Public search engines provide essential details about registered businesses such as business name and status, entity type, and office address. However, searches using such tools do not reveal detailed information on the ownership or management structure of the entity. Furthermore, the search results may not be up-to-date.

Therefore, you may utilize the business entity search tool provided by the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services to access deeper insights into business ownership. The database includes updated information about business entity owners in New Jersey. You may use the steps outlined to access business owner entity records from the database. Generally, you may need to access other government resources to find the owner of a business entity in New Jersey. These resources include:

  • Chambers of Commerce:
    Chambers of Commerce:

    New Jersey Chambers of Commerce maintains records of its members which may sometimes include information on owners of business entities.

  • Better Business Bureau (BBB):
    Better Business Bureau (BBB):

    The BBB evaluates businesses in New Jersey and often provides detailed profiles, including business owners' names, business accreditation status, and customer reviews.

  • Other Public Records:
    Other Public Records:

    Real estate records, tax records, and court records may provide insight into the entity’s ownership

Why Conduct a New Jersey Entity Search?

Conducting a New Jersey entity search is an essential step in accessing important details about businesses registered in the state. Whether you are a prospective business owner, a contractor, an investor, or an individual, business entity searches provide insights into a business structure and its legal standing. Generally, business entity searches are used to:

  • Verify the legitimacy of a business
  • Confirm the availability of a business name
  • Confirm the status and compliance of the business
  • Identify its owners and registered agents
  • Make informed decisions
  • Research competitors
Consumer Trust + Due Diligence
Consumer Trust + Due Diligence

A New Jersey entity search allows consumers to verify that the business is properly registered and legally authorized to operate in the state. The search may also reveal warning signs such as the business is inactive or dissolved. Generally, entity searches can help consumers avoid conducting business with questionable entities.

Investor Research
Investor Research

Investors may conduct entity searches to ensure that they invest their capital into reputable and compliant businesses. Entity searches provide investors with the management structure and filing history, which may indicate operational consistency or show the financial health of the entity they intend to put their resources into.

Supplier Verification
Supplier Verification

Businesses that use vendors or suppliers need to establish their legitimacy. A New Jersey entity search may help confirm the supplier's business status, confirm whether the supplier has authority to sign contracts, or if they have legal disputes.

Fraud Prevention
Fraud Prevention

Scammers often create fake companies or misuse legitimate business names to deceive consumers of potential partners. An entity search helps verify the legal existence of the business, confirm the business is operational, and complies with state laws. This information can help individuals and businesses avoid falling victim to scams.

What Entities Can You Register in New Jersey?

Newjersey Entities

New Jersey laws permit the registration of the following business entities:

Corporations

Corporations are separate legal entities separate from their owner. Ideal for larger corporations seeking to raise capital, New Jersey corporations may be:

  1. C Corporations

    C Corporations are legal entities distinct from its shareholders. C Corporations have limited liability for their owners and are typically subject to double taxation. The corporation pays corporate taxes on profits while shareholders are taxed on shareholders' returns.

  2. S Corporations

    S Corporations offers limited liability protection to its shareholders. Profits and losses pass through to the shareholders preventing double taxation.

Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)

LLCs combine the liability protection of a corporation and the tax benefits of partnerships. The owners are not liable for the business debts. Taxes are passed through to members and are taxed on their personal returns.

General Partnerships

General partnerships are owned by two or more individuals who share profits, losses, and responsibilities equally. The partnership business itself does not pay taxes. Instead, the profits are passed through the partners' tax returns.

Limited Partnerships (LPs)

LPs are made up of general partners who manage the business and limited partners who invest capital in the business but are not involved in the daily operations. Limited partners have limited liability while general partners have unlimited liability for the partnership's debts.

Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)

LLPs are partnerships where all partnerships enjoy limited liability protection. The partners are not personally liable for the partnership's debts. LLPs avoid double taxation as profits are passed through to the partners, who remit them on their income taxes.

Sole Proprietorship

Sole proprietorships are owned and operated by a single individual. The owner is personally liable for all debts and obligations of the business. Income and expenses are reported on the owner’s personal tax returns.

Professional Corporations (PCs)

Professional corporations are established and managed by licensed professionals such as architects, lawyers, or doctors. Only licensed persons may be shareholders. PCs offer limited liability protection for shareholders but do not protect against malpractice claims.

Nonprofit Corporations

Nonprofits are formed for charitable, educational, societal, religious, or societal purposes. Nonprofits are eligible for grants and donations and exempt from taxes, including sales, tax, and income taxes.

Doing Business As A (DBA)

A DBA allows a business to operate in New Jersey under a name that is not their legal name. DBAs are not separate legal entities but an alias for an existing business such as sole proprietorships or partnerships.

How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in New Jersey?

Before registering a business entity in New Jersey, it is essential to ensure that the desired name is available. Conducting a business entity name search prevents registering an already taken business name. It also ensures compliance with state regulations. The New Jersey DORES provides an online tool Business Name Availability to check the availability of a business name in the state.

In addition, persons looking to incorporate a business entity may use other government agencies' databases to confirm if their preferred business name is taken. Some of these databases include:

How Do I Set up A Business Entity in New Jersey?

Setting up a business entity in New Jersey is a thorough process to ensure the business is legally compliant. It begins with identifying the type of business you want to set up and choosing the most suitable legal structure that best suits the business. Generally, the common options for business legal structure include:

  • Profit Entities:
    Profit Entities:

    These businesses are created with the primary goal of generating revenue for their shareholders.

  • Nonprofit Organizations:
    Nonprofit Organizations:

    They are formed to serve charitable, religious, or societal purposes, without profit as the primary goal.

  • Foreign Entities:
    Foreign Entities:

    They are incorporated in one state but wish to conduct business in New Jersey.

  • Professional Corporations:
    Professional Corporations:

    These are specialized entities designed for licensed professionals such as doctors and lawyers.

While the steps to file business entities may vary depending on the business structure and industry, most potential business owners can expect to go through the process listed below:

  1. Choose your legal structure based on the business type
  2. Choose the business name. Check if your preferred business name is available using the Business Name Availability web tool.
  3. Complete the Business Formation tool online
  4. File the appropriate registration documents with the New Jersey DORES
  5. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
  6. Register for state taxes with the New Jersey DORES
  7. File for Beneficial Ownership Report (BOI) with FINCEN
  8. Obtain local permits from city or county offices if required
  9. You may use the Starting a Business in New Jersey guide to assist with setting up your business entity in the state.

How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In New Jersey?

Starting a business in New Jersey involves various costs, depending on the type of business. Generally, the costs include formation costs, annual report fees, registered agents, costs, and business license permits. Generally, the filing fees for business entities in New Jersey include:

  • Profit Entities:
    Profit Entities:

    $125

  • Foreign Nonprofit Corporations:
    Foreign Nonprofit Corporations:

    $125

  • Domestic Nonprofit Corporations:
    Domestic Nonprofit Corporations:

    $75

  • Doing Business as a Name Fee:
    Doing Business as a Name Fee:

    $50

Other potential costs include the:

  • Annual Report Fee: $75 per year
  • Name Reservation Fee: $50
  • Registered Agent Services: It varies, typically between $0 and $300 annually
  • Business Licences and Permits: Fees vary based on the type of business, usually between $50 and $500

Additional Information Available on the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services Website

Newjersey Entities

The following additional information is available on the New Jersey DORES website:

  • New Business Filings:

    Getting your business entity registered, search trade names and trade/service marks, and certificate validation

  • Business Record Service:

    Obtain business entity information

  • Business Certificates:

    Division of Revenue Business Certificate Program

  • File Annual Report:

    File annual reports, change registered agent/office, reinstate a business entity, and close a business.

  • Uniform Commercial Code:

    Start a UCC filing, UCC amendments, UCC terminations, perform a certified or uncertified UCC search, and perform a bulk data search.

  • Electronic Services:

    Business taxes and fees, electronic funds transfer, license and business verification, partnerships, corporations, and business registration and information services.

  • Support:

    Help and business entity records FAQs

FAQs About Business Entity Searches in New Jersey

Here are answers to frequently asked questions on business entity searches in New Jersey.

  1. Why would I need to search for a business entity in New Jersey?

    You may need to search for a business entity in New Jersey to check the legal status of the business, confirm if the entity is in good standing, or conduct due diligence for investment purposes.

  2. What types of entities can I search for in New Jersey?

    You can search for Corporations, partnerships, nonprofits, LPs, LLPs, LLCs, and professional corporations.

  3. Where can I perform a business entity search in New Jersey?

    You may use the Business Entity Name Search tool to perform business entity searches in New Jersey.

  4. What information do I need to conduct an entity search in New Jersey?

    You will need the business entity name or the ten-digit business entity number to conduct entity searches.

  5. How do I find the official name of a New Jersey business?

    You may use the Business Entity Name Search tool to find the official names of New Jersey businesses.

  6. Can I search for foreign entities in New Jersey?

    Yes. You may search for foreign entities registered outside New Jersey but conducting business in the state.

  7. What information can I find in the New Jersey entity search?

    You may access information on the business entity name, business status, the registered agent's information, annual reports, and filing history following a New Jersey entity search.

  8. How do I verify if a New Jersey business is in good standing?

    You can verify if a business is in good standing using the Business Entity Status Report.

  9. Can I search for an entity in New Jersey by its owner’s name?

    Yes. You may use the full or partial business owner’s name to search business entity records.

  10. How often is the New Jersey business entity database updated?

    The New Jersey DORES updates electronic filings of business entities by the next business day.

  11. Can I obtain copies of business filings in New Jersey?

    Yes, you may obtain copies of New Jersey business filings using the Standing Certificates.

  12. How do I find out who the registered agent of a New Jersey business is?

    You may find information on who is the registered agent of a New Jersey Business using the Business Entity Name Search.

  13. How can I search for New Jersey businesses by their tax ID number?

    The New Jersey DORES search tool does not provide for business entity searches using the entity's tax ID number.

  14. What should I do if I can’t find a business entity in the New Jersey search?

    Verify the spelling of the entity's name or cross-check the entity ID number used to search. Try different spelling variations of the name.

Search New Jersey Business Entities
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Business Entity Search

LLCs, Corps, Non-Profits, Partnerships & More