How to Do a Delaware Business Entity Search

Before you form a corporation in Delaware, you will need to select a name for your new company. With over 1.5 million companies incorporated in Delaware, you’ll need to do a Delaware business name search to make sure the name you wish to use is available.

What is a Business Entity Search?

A Delaware Business Entity Search is a tool that allows individuals to search for registered business entities with that state. The Delaware Division of Corporations hosts a business entity search database. The search will yield certain information about the Delaware entity, such as the company name, formation date, entity type, Delaware file number and name of the Registered Agent. It does not provide the entities status or annual franchise tax information as that has to be done via the Delaware Division of Corporations database.

Please be aware that the Delaware Division of Corporations regulates what can and cannot be used in a corporation name. For more details on what is required and what is forbidden for a Delaware corporation name, please visit our page on choosing a company name before you check if a business name is taken.

How to Conduct a Business Entity Search

If you’re not sure how to check if a business name is taken, it’s actually quite easy. Simply follow the link to our Delaware name check tool and submit the business name that you’re interested in, your name, email address, and phone number. Keep in mind that completing an entity search will not reserve the Delaware business name, it will only inform you if it is currently available.

Once you’ve chosen a compliant company name, we can run a Delaware business name search to see if it is available. We have access to a database that includes the names of all of the companies incorporated in Delaware. If your preferred business name is already in use, you'll need to select another one.

Delaware Business Name Change

If you'd like to perform a Delaware LLC or corporation name change for your existing business, the process still involves a company name search. Once Harvard Business Services has confirmed your new business name is available, you can file a Certificate of Amendment indicating the change. Our team at Harvard Business Services, Inc. will be happy to file a Certificate of Amendment with the State of Delaware on your behalf.

To do a free company name check, visit our free Delaware business name search tool. Simply type in your proposed company name and your contact information, and we’ll reply quickly with the results of your business name search. There’s no limit to the number of business entity searches that you can submit, so we encourage you to check all of your top picks before deciding on the perfect Delaware business name. Put the names of every corporation and LLC in the state at your fingertips with a Delaware business name search.

If you need help with the company name search process or you would prefer to speak with someone directly, our helpful staff can assist you via phone at 1-800-345-2677 or by live chat.