Run by the Corporations Division of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. It covers LLCs, corporations, and partnerships.
Michigan Secretary of State | Business Entity Search
In Michigan, business entities are filed with the Corporations Division of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), not the Secretary of State. Its MiBusiness Registry search lets anyone confirm a company's status and resident agent for free.
Business Name Availability Check
State of Michigan
What the Michigan LARA Search Covers
Each record lists the ID number, status, formation date, resident agent, registered office, and whether the entity is authorized to operate.
Searching the registry is free.
How to Search by Business Name
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Open the LARA business entity search
Go to the LARA Corporations Division's business entity search (MiBusiness Registry), or use the direct link below. It is free.
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Choose how to search
Search by Entity Name (part or whole), Individual Name (a resident agent or general partner), or Identification Number.
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Read the results
Results show matching entities with their ID number and status. Click an entity to open its record.
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Review the entity record
The record shows the formation date, status, resident agent, registered office, and whether the business is authorized to operate in Michigan.
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Open the filing history
Review the entity's filings, including the annual statement and amendments, with documents available to view.
Ready to try it? Open the official LARA search and run your query.
Search Michigan entities ↗All the Ways to Search Michigan Records
Entity Name
Search by part or all of the business name. The most common starting point.
Open this search ↗Individual Name
Search by the name of a resident agent or general partner of the entity.
Open this search ↗Identification Number
Go straight to one record using the entity's Michigan ID number.
Open this search ↗Filing History
From a record, review the entity's filings, including annual statements.
Open this search ↗Rules That Make Your Search Work
- Search by entity name, individual name (resident agent or general partner), or ID number.
- Michigan business records are kept by LARA, not the Secretary of State.
- The record shows whether the entity is currently authorized to operate.
- Searching is free.
- Michigan uses the term "resident agent" for the registered agent.
- Most entities file an annual report or statement by February 15 each year.
Reading the Entity Detail Page
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Identification Number | The ID number LARA assigned to the entity. |
| Entity Name | The registered legal name of the business. |
| Entity Type | The structure, such as a Domestic or Foreign LLC, Corporation, or LP. |
| Status | Whether the entity is Active and authorized, or in another condition. |
| Formation Date | The date the entity was formed in Michigan or registered as a foreign entity. |
| Resident Agent | Michigan's registered agent: the name and Michigan address designated to receive legal documents. |
| Registered Office | The entity's registered office address in Michigan. |
| Annual Statement | Whether the entity's annual report or statement has been filed. |
| Filing History | A list of the entity's filed documents. |
Two official references help you go further:
How to View and Download a Company's Filings
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1
Open the entity’s record
Search by name, individual, or ID number and open the record.
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2
Check authority and agent
Confirm whether the entity is authorized to operate and review the resident agent and registered office.
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Open the filing history
Review the entity’s filings, including the annual statement and amendments.
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File or order online
File the annual statement or order a certificate of good standing through LARA online services.
Annual report / statement: Most Michigan entities file by February 15 each year. LARA mails report forms to profit corporations in January, but the obligation stands whether or not the form arrives.
Michigan Business Search - Common Questions
Is the Michigan business entity search free?
Yes. The LARA Corporations Division business entity search is free.
Does Michigan have a Secretary of State for businesses?
Business entity records are kept by the Corporations Division of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), not the Secretary of State.
Who is the "resident agent"?
It is Michigan's term for the registered agent — the person or company with a physical Michigan address designated to receive legal documents.
Does Michigan require an annual report?
Yes. Most Michigan entities file an annual report or annual statement by February 15 each year, and LARA mails forms to profit corporations in January.
How do I tell if a company can legally operate?
The record shows whether the business is currently authorized to operate in Michigan, along with its resident agent and status.
A name is available in Michigan. Does that mean I can use it?
Not necessarily. State availability does not clear a name against federal trademarks. Run a USPTO trademark screen and check domain and social-handle availability before committing.