Run by the Secretary of State. It covers corporations, LLCs, nonprofits, and partnerships.
North Dakota Secretary of State | Business Entity Search
The North Dakota Secretary of State keeps business records in its FirstStop portal, free to search. A quick lookup confirms a company's status, registered agent, and governors, and the same portal is where you file the annual report.
Business Name Availability Check
State of North Dakota
What the North Dakota FirstStop Search Covers
Each record lists the ID, status, registered agent, principal executive office, and governors or officers.
Searching is free; filing requires a PIN or NDLogin sign-in.
How to Search by Business Name
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1
Open the FirstStop business search
Go to the Secretary of State's FirstStop portal and enter a business name, or use the direct link below. Searching is free.
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Use basic or advanced search
Basic search matches a name (partial names work). Advanced adds Contains and Starts With filters and an option to show only active entities.
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3
Read the results
Results show matching entities with their ID and status. Click an entity to open its record.
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4
Review the entity record
The record shows status, entity type, registered agent, principal executive office, and governors or officers.
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5
File the annual report
Sign in with a PIN or NDLogin, search for your business, click File Annual Report, and confirm the pre-filled details.
Ready to try it? Open the official FirstStop search and run your query.
Search North Dakota businesses ↗All the Ways to Search North Dakota Records
Business Name
Search by name; partial names work, and Advanced adds Contains/Starts With. The most common starting point.
Open this search ↗ID Number
Go straight to one record using the entity's ID number.
Open this search ↗Active Only
Use the advanced option to show only active entities.
Open this search ↗Registered Agent
The registered agent appears on each entity record.
Open this search ↗Rules That Make Your Search Work
- Basic search matches a name; Advanced adds Contains and Starts With filters.
- You can limit results to active entities only.
- Searching is free; filing requires a PIN or NDLogin sign-in.
- North Dakota uses the term "governors" for managing people.
- Corporations, LLCs, and partnerships must keep a North Dakota registered agent.
- Most entities file an annual report; fees range from $10 (nonprofits) to $50 (LLCs).
Reading the Entity Detail Page
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| ID Number | The identification number the Secretary of State assigned to the entity. |
| Entity Name | The registered legal name of the business. |
| Status | Whether the entity is Active or in another condition. |
| Entity Type | The structure, such as a Domestic or Foreign LLC, Corporation, or Nonprofit. |
| Registered Agent | The name and North Dakota address of the agent designated to receive legal documents. |
| Principal Executive Office | The entity's principal executive office (PEO) address. |
| Governors / Officers | North Dakota's term for managing people — governors, officers, or managers. |
| Annual Report Status | Whether the entity's most recent annual report has been filed. |
| Filing History | A list of the entity's filings. |
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 or ID and open the record.
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Review agent and governors
The record shows the registered agent, principal executive office, and governors or officers.
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3
Sign in with PIN or NDLogin
Create or use a PIN or NDLogin account to file or update records.
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4
File the annual report
Search for your business, click File Annual Report, and confirm the pre-filled details.
Annual report: Most North Dakota entities file an annual report through FirstStop. Fees range from $10 (nonprofits) to $50 (LLCs).
North Dakota Business Search - Common Questions
Is the North Dakota business search free?
Yes. Searching FirstStop is free. Filing requires a PIN or NDLogin sign-in.
What is a "governor" in North Dakota?
It is North Dakota's term for a managing person of the entity, such as a governor, officer, or manager.
Does North Dakota require an annual report?
Yes. Most entities file an annual report through FirstStop, with fees from $10 for nonprofits to $50 for LLCs.
How do I narrow a search?
Use Advanced search for Contains and Starts With filters, plus an option to show only active entities.
How do I update my registered agent or address?
Update it on your annual report, or file the appropriate change form through the FirstStop portal.
A name is available in North Dakota. 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.