New York holds its business register at the Department of State rather than a Secretary of State office, and its corporation and business entity database is the public search. It is a thinner record than some states publish, and knowing what it leaves out is as useful as knowing what it includes.
What the New York record returns
A New York entity record shows the current entity name, the DOS identification number, the county of location, the jurisdiction and date of initial filing, the entity type, and the current entity status. It also shows the address to which the Department of State will mail process, which in New York is a distinctive arrangement: the Department itself is the statutory agent for service on corporations, and the address on record is where it forwards what it receives.
The Department of State as agent for service
New York corporations designate the Secretary of State as their agent for service of process, and the address on the record is the forwarding address. That means the address you see is not necessarily an office where anyone works, and it can go stale without the entity being non-compliant in any obvious way. A separate registered agent may also be named, but the statutory designation stands regardless.
What it does not publish
The public database does not list officers or directors for most entities, and it does not carry a filing history in the way Connecticut or California do. Biennial statement information is limited. For counterparty diligence that means the New York record establishes existence, type and status well, and tells you comparatively little about who runs the company. Where that matters, the certificate of status and the filed documents have to be ordered separately.
Questions people ask about ny business look up
Which agency runs the New York business register?
The New York Department of State. New York does not run its business register through a Secretary of State office in the way most states do.
Why is the Department of State the agent for service?
New York corporations designate the Secretary of State as agent for service of process. The address on the record is where the Department forwards what it receives.
Does the New York record show officers?
For most entities, no. The public database establishes existence, type and status; officer information generally requires ordering filed documents.