The gross state product of Rhode Island is $64.4 billion, which places it 29th in the list of state growth rank. It’s not the best statistic, but it certainly isn’t the worst either.
The fact that it’s such a mid-tiered state should make Rhode Island interesting to entrepreneurs. There’s enough business for it to thrive, but not so much so that every industry is oversaturated.
This makes it the prime time for you to find your niche and establish a footing before everyone else discovers Rhode Island. This article will show you how to do a Rhode Island business entity search to find that unique company name that belongs to you.
Do a Rhode Island Secretary of State Business Entity Search
Typically, the Secretary of State takes care of all business record related issues. This means that they handle not only registrations, but also database records, so this is where you should turn to.
On the Secretary of State’s website is a corporate search page. On this business portal, you can search by:
- Entity name
- Individual name
- Identification number
- Filing number
- Agent
- Business address
- Purpose
- NAICS code
Since you’re checking for name availability, we’d use the first option of “Entity name.” As for the search type, you can choose:
- Begins with
- Exact match
- Full text
- Soundex
Soundex can be a good option here since it can bring up similar-sounding names. On top, you can also switch between “active” or “inactive” status for the entities that you’re searching (“active” is the better choice here).
The Search Results
Hit “Search” for your state of Rhode Island business entity search, and if there are any hits, a new page will load. The results will show the:
- Entity name
- ID number
- NAICS
- Inactive status (if applicable)
- Address
Do you want to know more about a company? Then click on its name. The resulting page will show you the:
- Exact name
- Entity type
- Identification number
- Date of qualification in Rhode Island
- Location of the principal office
- Name and address of the registered agent
In addition, you’ll find a list of the officers and directors. You’ll see their title, names, and addresses. If there are any shares and the par value, this will be listed too.
There’s also a section where the business states their purpose. Lastly, you can view the filings for the company too.
Utilize Google or Other Search Engines
You can also do a Rhode Island business search through Google or your favorite search engine. Type in your potential business name and add “Rhode Island” to it. If there are certain cities you’re interested in, you can add those too.
Now go through the results pages to determine whether your desired business name is available. Keep in mind that some names can be too similar for comfort, and can put you at risk of lawsuits, so watch out for those too.
While examining the results, take a look at the domain names and social media handles as well. If those happen to be available too, then it’s the perfect time to reserve them. After you get your business registered, it’ll be faster and easier to link everything together.
Our Business Search Tool
On that topic, we have a free business registration service where you only pay the state fee. Should you require more assistance, you can browse our comprehensive list of services, which includes their associated costs too. By being transparent, we ensure that you’re never surprised about the bill.
More importantly, we have an RI business entity search tool you can use. It’s entirely free, so you don’t have to worry about limited queries.
At the top of our page, you’ll see a search bar. Put in your possible future company name, and select LLC, PLLC, or corporation, then “Check availability.”
With lightning-fast speed, you’ll find out if that name is untaken. If someone’s already used it, then you can click the back button and try more searches until you land on something available.
You can stop at any time since it’s a no-obligations tool. However, if you’re happy to proceed with our services, the next step is to send us your contact details by filling out the form on the results page. You can count on our agents to get back to you in a flash.
Make Sure to Do a Rhode Island Business Entity Search
In conclusion, you should do a Rhode Island business entity search if you’re planning on starting a company there. While it’s not mandatory, it’s highly recommended.
Not only are these methods for a business search in RI free, but they’ll also potentially save you a lot of legal trouble in the future. This can mean the difference between staying open or shutting your doors forever.
Sign up with Business Anywhere to use our free business registration service. We have expedited filing options if you’re in a hurry.
