How to look up North Carolina business entity information

North Carolina business entity information, including entity name, type, number, and formation date, is available through the North Carolina Secretary of State business search portal. This database provides immediate access to key details you need for onboarding, compliance, or business transactions.

In this article, we'll walk you through exactly how to search the North Carolina database, where to find each piece of information, and what format each data point takes in North Carolina's system.

Summary table: Finding your North Carolina entity information

How to search for North Carolina business entities

Navigate to the North Carolina Business Entity Search portal and choose your search method from the available options. If you decide to use the name search option, using your full legal name as registered will provide the most accurate results.

Enter your search criteria in the appropriate field and click "Search." The system displays matching entities with entity name, type, SOS ID number, status, and formation date visible directly in the results. 

Click the business name to access the detailed entity profile, which includes registered agent information, principal office address, annual report status, and complete filing history.

North Carolina's portal offers several search advantages: you can search by partial names using "contains" or "starts with" options, find entities by their registered agent, or locate all businesses associated with specific company officials. This flexibility makes it easier to find entities even when you don't have complete information.

What you'll see in search results

• Legal entity name (exact spelling and punctuation)
• Entity type (LLC, Corporation, PLLC, Limited Partnership, etc.)
• SOS ID number (7-digit format)
• Status (Active, Dissolved, Suspended, etc.)
• Formation date
• Current annual report status

How to find your entity number in North Carolina

Your North Carolina entity number, officially called your "SOS ID Number," is seven digits and was assigned by the North Carolina Secretary of State when your entity was formed.

Where to locate your North Carolina entity number

1. North Carolina business search (fastest method)

• Located: Prominently displayed in search results as "SOS ID"
• Labeled as: "SOS ID Number"
• Format: 1234567 (seven consecutive digits)

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Usually at the top of the document
• May be labeled as "File Number," "Document Number," or "SOS ID"
• Stamped or printed by the Secretary of State office

3. Annual reports and state correspondence

• Appears on all official North Carolina Secretary of State documents
• Used as your account identifier for ongoing filings
• Referenced in franchise tax and annual report communications

North Carolina entity number format

• Format: Seven consecutive digits
• Example: 1234567
• Pattern note: Numbers are assigned sequentially, so newer entities generally have higher numbers

How to find your entity type in North Carolina

North Carolina recognizes multiple business entity types, such as LLC, Corporation, and PLLC, which are generally consistent between business search results and formation documents, though minor differences in listing or terminology may occur.

Where to find your North Carolina entity type

1. North Carolina business search (most accessible)

• Displayed: Prominently in search results under "Entity Type" column
• Listed as: "Entity Type" in the detailed profile page
• Shows the exact designation as filed with the state

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• At the top of your formation document
• States the specific entity type being formed
• Uses the formal legal designation (e.g., "Limited Liability Company")

3. Annual reports

• Listed in entity information section
• Must match the original formation documents

How to find your formation date in North Carolina

Your formation date (when the North Carolina Secretary of State officially filed and approved your business entity) appears in North Carolina business search results and on your Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation.

Where your North Carolina formation date appears

1. North Carolina business search (easiest access)

• Listed as: "Date Formed" in search results
• Location: Displayed in the results table and detailed entity profile
• Format: MM/DD/YYYY

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Top of the document
• Displays the official Secretary of State stamp and records the filing date; may also indicate both the filing and effective dates if they differ.
• May include both the filing date and the effective date if different

3. Annual report confirmations

• Used to determine the timing of the first annual report due date
• May influence state correspondence timing, but does not appear on all correspondence

Formation date vs. effective date

North Carolina allows businesses to specify a future effective date when filing, creating two different dates:

• Formation date (file date): When the North Carolina Secretary of State processed your paperwork
• Effective date: When your entity officially began operations (if you specified a later date)

For most North Carolina entities, the formation and effective dates are the same, as delayed effective dates are less common.

Take the next step with Discern

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