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    Every year, between 40,000 and 50,000 new entities, such as LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits, are registered in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's website generally serves as the best source for the most up-to-date information.

    Whether researching a potential partner, confirming the legitimacy of a business, or conducting due diligence, anyone can usually find important details about any corporation or business entity in Massachusetts.

    You can typically search by:

    • Entity Name:
      Entity Name:

      Enter the full or partial name of the business.

    • Individual Name:
      Individual Name:

      Enter the name of an individual, such as a company officer, director, etc.

    • Identification Number:
      Identification Number:

      Enter the full nine-digit identification number of the business entity

    • Filing Number:
      Filing Number:

      You can search by the entity's filing number if you have it.

    Review Search Results

    After entering your search criteria, click the “search corporations” button to view a list of matching entities. In addition to the entity name, the search results will display the entity's nine-digit identification number, old identification number when available, and the entity address. Clicking on a specific name will generally provide more detailed information about the entity.

    Access Detailed Information

    Once you click on a business name in the search results, you'll be able to view detailed information about the entity, including, but not limited to:

    • Entity Status: – Enter the full or partial name of the business.
    • Date of Organization: – Enter the full or partial name of the business.
    • Address: – Enter the full or partial name of the business.
    • Registered Agent Information: – Enter the full or partial name of the business.

    Further Assistance

    If you need help navigating the search process, you may contact the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's office.

    How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Massachusetts?

    MAMA

    Conducting a quick search online may help you find a business's website, which usually contains information about its directors and public executives. However, this information may not give you a full understanding of the company's ownership. For comprehensive details about the ownership of a business entity in Massachusetts, you may need to access governmental records or other public databases.

    Start by visiting the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's business search page. This page generally offers important information about registered business entities in Massachusetts, typically including the names of listed owners or officers. By following the outlined steps, you may be able to find the information you need.

    Additional local resources that may help you identify local business owners include:

    • Chambers of Commerce:
      Chambers of Commerce:

      Local chambers of commerce often maintain public directories of members, which sometimes include ownership details.

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

      The BBB sometimes publishes business profiles, including company ownership, along with customer reviews and complaints.

    • Other Public Records:
      Other Public Records:

      Business licenses, real estate records, and court documents involving the business entity may reveal ownership.

    Why Conduct a Massachusetts Entity Search?

    Conducting an entity search in Massachusetts may help you verify critical business information for legal, financial, or personal reasons.

    Generally, these searches are often used to:

    • Check the registration status of a business
    • Confirm ownership and ensure compliance
    • Protect against fraud
    • Evaluate the legitimacy of a company before transactions or partnerships

    Understanding how to navigate these public records is crucial for safeguarding your interests.

    Consumer Trust + Due Diligence
    Consumer Trust + Due Diligence

    Individuals or businesses looking to verify a company's transparency and trustworthiness before engaging in a professional relationship typically rely on entity searches in Massachusetts.

    Investor Research
    Investor Research

    It is generally not uncommon for investors to conduct entity searches to learn more about a business's ownership, which may impact investment decisions.

    Supplier Verification
    Supplier Verification

    Massachusetts entity searches may help businesses confirm the legitimacy of suppliers or partners during procurement processes or contractual agreements.

    Fraud Prevention
    Fraud Prevention

    Entity searches may help detect potential scams or fraudulent businesses by verifying registration details and ownership history.

    Who Holds Data for Massachusetts Business Entity Search?

    The following agencies may hold relevant information about Massachusetts business entities:

    What Entities Can You Register in Massachusetts?

    Massachusetts Entities

    In Massachusetts, several types of business entities may be registered.

    Corporations

    There are two types of corporate entities you may register in Massachusetts.

    Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)

    LLCs provide business owners with liability protection while allowing profits and losses to be passed through to personal tax returns, avoiding corporate taxes.

    Limited Partnerships (LPs) and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)

    LPs have both general partners who manage the business and limited partners with liability protection but do not manage the company. On the other hand, LLPs offer liability protection to all partners, regardless of management role.

    Sole Proprietorship

    A sole proprietorship is a business owned by one individual. If the business operates under a name other than the owner's legal name, a DBA (Doing Business As) registration is required.

    Nonprofit Corporations

    Nonprofits are organizations created for public, charitable, educational, or religious purposes. They can qualify for tax-exempt status under federal and state law.

    Professional Corporations (PCs)

    PCs are corporations established by licensed professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, or accountants, to provide professional services.

    Doing Business As (DBA)

    A DBA allows a business to operate under a name other than its legal or owner's name. Sole proprietors and partnerships commonly use it.

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

    Choosing a business entity name in Massachusetts generally requires practical and legal considerations. The name typically must adhere to state laws and should not currently be in use. You may also want to avoid potential copyright or trademark infringement. Unfortunately, there is no single comprehensive list of business names registered in Massachusetts. So you may need to search through multiple databases to confirm that your desired name is available, which typically include:

    How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Massachusetts?

    You may set up a business entity or corporation in Massachusetts by filing Articles of Organization with the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, which generally recognizes four distinct types, each with its own set of filing requirements.

    • Profit:
      Profit:

      These business entities are formed to conduct business for profit.

    • Non-profit:
      Non-profit:

      These business entities are formed to engage in non-profit charity, scientific, literary, religious, or educational activities.

    • Professional:
      Professional:

      Business entities that provide professional services regulated by a state licensing board.

    • Foreign entities:
      Foreign entities:

      These are profit or non-profit businesses incorporated somewhere other than Massachusetts.

    Next, you'll need to follow these steps:

    1. Ensure that the business name you choose is available.
    2. File your Articles of Organization with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
    3. Report your company's beneficial ownership information (BOI).
    4. Determine if you need a “Doing Business As” (DBA) business certificate.
    5. Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
    6. Register with MassTaxConnect.

    Click here for more detailed information about each of these steps.

    How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Massachusetts?

    To start a business in Massachusetts, you generally must obtain Articles of Organization for one of four types of corporations through the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

    Typically, the filing fees are as follows:

    • Profit and Professional:
      Profit and Professional:

      $275 for up to 275,000 shares and $100 for every additional 100,000 shares

    • Non-profit:
      Non-profit:

      $35

    • Foreign entities:
      Foreign entities:

      $400

    Furthermore, all corporations are generally required to file an annual report with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. Annual reports for profit, professional, and foreign business entities must be filed 2½ months after the close of the fiscal year, and the filing fee is $125 ($100 if filed electronically). Annual reports for non-profit business entities must be filed by November 1, and the filing fee is $15.

    Additional Information Available on the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website

    Massachusetts Entities

    The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's website generally offers various services, including:

    • Service Options:

      Online searches, filings, document requests, and status reports.

    • Name Reservations:

      For corporations and LLCs.

    • Forms & Fees:

      Business forms, document samples, and associated fees.

    • Statements of Information:

      Annual or biennial reports and other important disclosure statements for Massachusetts LLCs and corporations.

    • Filing Tips:

      Advise on filing most corporation, limited liability company, and limited partnership documents.

    • Service of Process:

      Information for substituted service of process.

    • FAQs:

      Answers to common business entity questions.

    • Victims of Corporate Fraud Compensation Fund:

      Provides information about restitution to victims of corporate fraud.

    FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Massachusetts

    Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers regarding business entity searches in Massachusetts.

    1. Can I search for foreign entities in Massachusetts?

      Yes. You may search for businesses registered as foreign entities, which are companies formed in another state but authorized to operate in Massachusetts.

    2. What information can I find in the Massachusetts entity search?

      You can typically find details such as the entity's status (active, inactive, or dissolved), its registered agent, filing history, ownership structure, annual reports, and more.

    3. How do I verify if a Massachusetts business is in good standing?

      The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth'sonline search tool generally allows you to check a business's registration status and compliance with tax requirements.

    4. Can I search for an entity in Massachusetts by its owner's name?

      The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth'sonline search tool generally allows searches by an owner's name.

    5. How often is the Massachusetts business entity database updated?

      The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's database is regularly updated as businesses file new reports or update their information.

    6. Can I obtain copies of business filings in Massachusetts?

      Yes, you may request and download copies of business filings, such as certificates of formation or dissolution, through the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's website. There may be fees associated with these requests.

    7. How do I find out who the registered agent of a Massachusetts business is?

      The registered agent's name and address are typically available in the business's public filings, accessed through the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth's online search tool.

    8. How can I search for Massachusetts businesses by their tax ID number?

      The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth'sonline search tool generally allows you to search for businesses using their tax ID numbers.

    9. What should I do if I can't find a business entity in the Massachusetts search?

      Verify the spelling of the business name or search by the entity's 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.

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