Massachusetts business search
Massachusetts's official business search is Business Entity Search, run by the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division. It's free, and you can search by name, officer or file number.
Search Massachusetts recordsHow to check if a name is taken in Massachusetts
- Type the main words of the name into the search. Leave off endings like LLC or Inc.
- Look for exact matches and close ones. States usually refuse a name that only differs by punctuation, spacing or the ending.
- If nothing close comes up, run a free trademark search. A state accepting your name doesn't give you the right to use it as a brand.
LLC name endings in Massachusetts
An LLC's name has to end with one of these: LLC, L.L.C., Limited Company, Limited Liability Company.
Once the name is clear
Massachusetts charges $520 to form an LLC and $265 to form a corporation. See how to start an LLC in Massachusetts, or a Massachusetts DBA if you only need a trade name.
Massachusetts business search questions
Is the Massachusetts business search free?
Yes. The Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division doesn't charge to search its records.
Does searching reserve a name in Massachusetts?
No. A search only shows what's on record today. The name is yours once your filing is accepted, and most states also let you pay to hold a name for a set time.
Can I see who owns a Massachusetts LLC?
The record shows what Massachusetts requires a company to file, which is often its registered agent and sometimes its managers or members. Many states don't list owners at all.