How To Search Indiana Business Entities
- How To Search Indiana Business Entities
- How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Indiana?
- Why Conduct a Indiana Entity Search?
- Who Holds Data for Indiana Business Entity Search?
- What Entities Can You Register in Indiana?
- How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Indiana?
- How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Indiana?
- How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Indiana?
- Additional Information Available on the Indiana Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website
- FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Indiana
Indiana is home to more than 500,000 small businesses, but those are just the tip of the iceberg regarding the number of business entities registered in the state. From LLCs and corporations to nonprofit organizations, every business must register with the Secretary of State and file a Business Entity Report (BER) every two years. The Indiana Secretary of State’s website is usually the best source for the most accurate and up-to-date information about businesses in the state.
Finding relevant information about any business entity in Indiana is relatively straightforward and useful for anyone researching a potential partner, performing due diligence, or determining the legitimacy of an Indiana business entity.
Choose Your Search Criteria
You may search by:
Business NameEnter the full or partial name of the business.
Business Identification NumberThe unique identification number of the business entity.
Individual NameEnter the name of a registered agent, incorporator, or governing person.
- Filing Number
Enter the entity’s filing number if available.
Advanced Search Options
The Secretary of State’s business search page also offers an advanced search that allows you to view a comprehensive list of Indiana business entities based on any of the following search criteria:
Business Type, Status, Name Type, Street, City, Zip
Review Search Results
After entering your search criteria, click the “search” button to view a list of matching Indiana business entities. In addition to the entity name, the search results will display the entity’s business identification number, business type and status, entity address, and registered agent name. Clicking on a specific business identification number will provide more detailed information about the entity.
Further Assistance
If you need help navigating the search process, you may contact the Indiana Secretary of State’s office.
How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Indiana?
Using an online search engine, you will likely be able to find a business's website, which typically contains information about its directors and public-facing executives. However, this type of information doesn’t always paint an accurate picture of the company's ownership. You may have to turn to governmental records or other public databases for comprehensive details about who owns a business entity in Indiana.
Start by visiting the Indiana Secretary of State’s business search page. This page offers useful information about registered business entities in Indiana, typically including the names of listed owners or officers. By following the outlined steps, you may be able to locate the information you desire.
Additional local resources that may help you identify local business owners include:
Additional Resources for Business Ownership Info
Chambers of CommerceLocal chambers of commerce often maintain public directories of members, which sometimes include ownership details.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)The BBB occasionally publishes business profiles, company ownership information, customer reviews, and complaints. Three BBB entities serve Indiana: the BBB Serving Northern Indiana, the BBB Serving Central Indiana, and the Tri-State Better Business Bureau, Inc., serving 18 counties across Indiana, Indiana, and Kentucky.
Other Public RecordsBusiness licenses, real estate records, and court documents involving the business entity may also provide ownership information.
Why Conduct an Indiana Entity Search?
Individuals and businesses that want to verify a company’s trustworthiness before engaging in a professional relationship often rely on entity searches in Indiana.
Investors often conduct Indiana business entity searches to learn about company ownership, which may impact investment decisions.
Indiana entity searches may assist businesses in confirming the legitimacy of suppliers or partners during the procurement process or when entering into contractual agreements.
Entity searches may help detect potential scams or fraudulent businesses by verifying registration details and ownership history.
Who Holds Data for Indiana Business Entity Search?
What Entities Can You Register in Indiana?
Several types of business entities may be registered in Indiana.
Sole proprietorships are businesses owned by one individual. A company that operates under a name other than the owner's legal name may be required to register as a DBA (Doing Business As).
In a general partnership, two or more people serve as co-owners of a for-profit business. All partners are responsible for liabilities and debts; income is reported as part of each partner’s income.
In a corporation, the business entity is separate from its owners, offering limited liability protection, and is taxed independently at the corporate level.
An S corporation is a recognized business entity that provides limited liability protection. For taxation purposes, profits and losses pass through directly to shareholders.
LLCs protect business owners' liability while allowing profits and losses to be reported on personal tax returns.
Nonprofits are organizations created for charitable, religious, educational, or other purposes. They often qualify for tax-exempt status under federal and state law because they do not provide financial profit to the benefit of members.
LPs have general partners who manage the business and non-managing limited partners with liability protection.
LLPs offer liability protection to all partners, regardless of management role.
Sole proprietors and partnerships commonly use a DBA, allowing the business to operate under a name other than its legal or owner’s name.
How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Indiana?
Choosing a business entity name in Indiana requires careful consideration. The name must adhere to Indiana statutes and not currently be used by any registered business entity in the state for practical and legal reasons, such as copyright and trademark laws.
While no comprehensive list of business names registered in Indiana exists, searching multiple databases will help you confirm that your desired name is available. These databases typically include:
How Do I Set up a Business Entity in Indiana?
To set up a business entity or a corporation in Indiana, you must register with the Indiana Secretary of State. The Indiana Secretary of State recognizes the following types of business entities, each with its unique filing requirements:
- Sole Proprietorships
- General Partnerships
- Corporations (Including S-Corporations)
- LLCs, LPs, and LLPs
- Nonprofit Corporations
Next, you’ll need to follow these basic steps:
- Decide on a business name and make sure that the name is available.
- Choose your registered agent and file all necessary paperwork with the Secretary of State.
- Report your company’s beneficial ownership information (BOI).
- Determine if you need a “Doing Business As” (DBA) business certificate.
- Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.
- Submit your local filings with the county assessor’s office within the community where you operate your business.
Click here for more detailed information about each of these steps.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Indiana?
The primary cost of starting a business in Indiana is related to the initial filing fees paid to the Indiana Secretary of State. These fees are as follows:
Additional Information Available on the Indiana Secretary of State’s Website
FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Indiana
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers regarding business entity searches in Indiana.
- Why would I need to search for a business entity in Indiana?
You may need to verify a company's legal status, check if it’s in good standing, or confirm ownership for legal, financial, or partnership purposes.
- What types of entities can I search for in Indiana?
You may search for corporations, LLCs, LPs, non-profits, professional corporations, DBA names, and more.
- Where can I perform a business entity search in Indiana?
You may search for a business entity in Indiana using the Secretary of the State’s business search tool.
- What information do I need to conduct an entity search in Indiana?
To conduct an entity search in Indiana, you typically need either the full or partial name of the business entity, the registered agent name, or the name of another individual associated with the entity, such as an incorporator or governing person. You may also search by business identification number or filing number. The website also offers an advanced search based on business type, name type, status, or address.
- How do I find the official name of an Indiana business?
You may find the official name of an Indiana business using the Secretary of the State’s business search tool. You may search by entity, business identification number, filing number, or individual.
- Can I search for foreign entities in Indiana?
Yes. You may search for businesses registered as foreign entities, which are companies formed in another state but authorized to operate in Indiana.
- What information can I find in the Indiana entity search?
You can typically find details such as the entity’s status (active, inactive, or dissolved), its registered agent, filing history, ownership structure, biennial reports, and more.
- How do I verify if an Indiana business is in good standing?
The Indiana Secretary of State’s online business search tool generally allows you to check a business’s registration status and compliance with tax requirements.
- Can I search for an entity in Indiana by its owner’s name?
The Indiana Secretary of State’s online business search tool allows you to search by an owner’s name.
- How often is the Indiana business entity database updated?
The Indiana business entity database is updated every two years, as businesses must file a business entity report biennially to maintain their active status in the state.
- Can I obtain copies of business filings in Indiana?
Yes, you may request certified business filings from the Indiana Secretary of State’s office, including articles of incorporation, articles of amendment, biennial reports, and more.
- How do I find out who the registered agent of an Indiana business is?
The registered agent's name and address are typically included in the business’s public filings, which can be accessed through the Indiana Secretary of State’s online business search tool.
- How can I search for Indiana businesses by their tax ID number?
The Indiana Secretary of State’s online business search tool allows you to search for businesses using their tax ID numbers, also known as business IDs.
- What should I do if I can’t find a business entity in the Indiana search?
Verify the spelling of the business name or search by the entity’s Business ID or filing number. You may also need to check foreign entity filings if the business is registered in a different state or under a different name.
- How To Search Indiana Business Entities
- How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Indiana?
- Why Conduct a Indiana Entity Search?
- Who Holds Data for Indiana Business Entity Search?
- What Entities Can You Register in Indiana?
- How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Indiana?
- How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Indiana?
- How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Indiana?
- Additional Information Available on the Indiana Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website
- FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Indiana