Massachusetts currently ranks eighth for economy in the entire country; while its fiscal stability could be better, it’s definitely still a state with lots of promise. This is especially true when you consider that it’s ranked first for its business environment and 27th for growth.
So if you’ve been looking for a fresh start, or you’re completely new at entrepreneurship, then Massachusetts could be it for you. You might even have a company name picked out already, but don’t jump straight to registration just yet.
Instead, take a moment to do a Massachusetts business entity search. Keep reading to see what your options are.
Try a Massachusetts Secretary of State Business Entity Search
Your first stop for a Massachusetts business search should be the Secretary of State’s website. They’re the one who’s responsible for business records, so you’ll have great access to accurate information.
When you’re on the Corporations Division page of their site, you’ll see several choices. You can either search by entity name, individual name, identification number, or filing number. The best option is the first since you’ll know immediately if there are similar or identical company names already in use.
In this blank labeled “enter name,” you can type in whatever you wish, and the database will search for any type of entity that may be a match, including LPs, LLPs, and LLCs. Your choices for this are:
- Begins with
- Exact match
- Full text
- Soundex
You can adjust how many items appear on the results page if you wish. Then, press “Search corporations.”
If there are any hits, you’ll see their entity names, ID numbers, old ID numbers (if applicable), and addresses. Want to find out more about any of these results? Then click on their name.
The next page will give you much more detail. It’ll list the following information:
- Exact name of the corporation
- Entity type
- Identification number
- Date of organization in Massachusetts
- Date of involuntary dissolution
- Last date certain
- Current fiscal month/day
- Previous fiscal month/day
- Location of the principal office
- Name and address of the registered agent
- Officers and directors of the corporation (titles, individual names, and addresses)
You can also view filings for the business entity.
Look Through Search Engines
A popular way to do an MA business entity search is to use search engines. We suggest using Google since it’s the main search engine of choice, but any main competitors should work just fine.
To start, type in the desired business name in the search bar, along with “Massachusetts.” This initial search should give you a good idea of what’s already out there. You can then do repeated searches with different city names to narrow things down.
While browsing the results, keep an eye out for domain names and social media handles. It’s highly recommended that you reserve free ones that match your business name since it’ll be easier for branding later on.
Use the Business Anywhere Website
We at Business Anywhere offer a comprehensive range of services for entrepreneurs like you. One is our business registration service, which is free minus the state fees. In addition, there are several add-ons you can get, which you can view with transparent pricing on our site.
We also have a handy business search tool at the top of our business registration page that allows you to do a business search in MA. Simply type the name into the search bar, pick LLC, corporation, or PLLC, and then select “Check availability.”
Upon loading the next page, you’ll see if you can use that business name. If it’s unavailable, then keep trying.
There’s no obligation tied to using our search tool, but if you’re interested in our services, then the results page has an area for you to fill out your contact details. We’ll get back to you shortly to discuss your needs and how we can help.
Ensure You Start With a Massachusetts Business Entity Search
There are many ways to do a Massachusetts business entity search, and they’re all free. Considering that you don’t have to spend a dime, there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t take time to be thorough.
Choosing a name carelessly can end up in future lawsuits, which can be costly to settle. So prevent this from happening by using the information given in this article.
Sign up with Business Anywhere today to start using our affordable services. We can even be your online notary for convenience.
