You can easily find Rhode Island business entity information, including entity name, type, number, and formation date, through the Rhode Island Department of State business search portal. This free database provides access to the details you need for onboarding, compliance, or business transactions.
Below, we'll walk you through exactly how to search the Rhode Island database, where to find each piece of information, and what format each data point takes in Rhode Island's system.
| Information Required | Where to Find It | What It Looks Like | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entity Name | Rhode Island business search results | "Ocean State Catering, LLC" | Use the exact legal name as registered |
| Entity Type | Business entity details page | LLC, Corporation, PLLC, LP, LLP, Non-resident Landlord | Must match Rhode Island designation |
| Entity Number | Certificate or details page | 000123456 | Also called: Identification Number |
| Formation Date | Certificate or details page | MM/DD/YYYY | Date filed with the Rhode Island Department of State |
Navigate to the Rhode Island Business Search portal and choose your search method from eight different options. While Rhode Island's system supports partial matches, using your complete legal name as registered ensures you get precise results.
Before searching, select either "Active" to view current businesses or "Inactive" to see dissolved or revoked entities. You must enter at least two characters in any search field. For name searches, try different variations since Rhode Island doesn't automatically handle abbreviations (search both "St." and "Saint" separately).
Rhode Island offers the most comprehensive search options of any state, allowing you to search by entity name, identification number, filing number, registered agent name, officer/individual name, business address, business purpose, or NAICS industry code.
This makes Rhode Island particularly useful for due diligence research or competitive analysis.
Your Rhode Island entity number, officially called your "Identification Number," follows the format 000123456 (9 digits) and was assigned by the Rhode Island Department of State when your entity was formed.
1. Rhode Island business search (fastest method)
2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation
3. Annual reports and state correspondence
Rhode Island recognizes multiple business entity types, which are displayed in abbreviated form in business search results (e.g., 'LLC,' 'Corporation,' etc.) and appear as full legal names (e.g., 'Limited Liability Company') on formation documents.
1. Rhode Island business search (most accessible)
2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation
Your formation date (when the Rhode Island Department of State officially filed and approved your business entity) appears in Rhode Island business search results and on your Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation.
1. Rhode Island business search (easiest access)
2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation
Rhode Island allows businesses to specify a future effective date when filing, but this is uncommon. If your entity has different dates:
For most business purposes, use the formation date as shown in the Rhode Island business search system.
With your Rhode Island business entity info in hand, you can easily onboard to Discern and let our platform handle annual reports, deadline tracking, registered agent coordination, and compliance management across all your jurisdictions.
Ready to eliminate the complexity of tracking different filing schedules, fee structures, and compliance requirements across jurisdictions?
Book a demo to see how we simplify multi-state compliance.
%20(1).png)
.png){kind=small}