The New Hampshire Business Search tool helps you look up a business in about 90 seconds once you know where to go. Whether you are verifying a contractor, checking if your preferred business name is available, or researching a potential partner, the state’s online database is free, public, and easy to use.
New Hampshire business search is conducted through the official NH Secretary of State portal at quickstart.sos.nh.gov. You can search by business name, principal or officer name, or registered agent to find any entity registered in the state – including its current status, formation date, registered agent, and filing history. No account or login is required for basic searches.
Step-by-Step: How to Search NH Business Records
- Open your browser and go to quickstart.sos.nh.gov
- On the homepage, click ‘Search for a Business’ or navigate to the Business Lookup section
- Choose your search type from the dropdown: Business Name, Principal Name, or Registered Agent Name
- Enter your search term – partial name searches work; you don’t need the full legal name
- Click Search and review the list of matching entities
- Click on the business name you want to view its full record
- From the detail page, you can see status, registered agent, officer list, and download any filed documents
Search tip: If a common name returns too many results, try adding ‘LLC’ or ‘Inc.’ to narrow it down. For less common names, try searching just the first distinctive word.
What the Search Results Show You
| Field | What It Means | Why It’s Useful |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name | The official legal name registered with the state | Confirm you have the correct entity |
| Entity Type | LLC, Corporation, Non-Profit, Trade Name, etc. | Understand the legal and tax structure |
| Status | Active, Dissolved, Revoked, Admin Dissolved | Check whether the business is currently in good standing |
| State / Country of Formation | Where the entity was legally formed | Foreign entity may be formed elsewhere but registered to operate in NH |
| Formation / Registration Date | When the entity was first registered | Gauge experience and longevity |
| Registered Agent | Person or entity designated to receive legal documents | Needed for serving legal papers |
| Principal Office Address | Official mailing address on file | Contact or verification |
| Annual Report Status | Whether required annual filings are current | Key compliance indicator |
| Officers / Members | Names of managing members, directors, or officers | Ownership and management identification |
Types of Business Entities in New Hampshire
| Entity Type | Description | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| LLC (Limited Liability Company) | Most common choice for small businesses | Liability protection, flexible management, pass-through taxation |
| Corporation (Inc.) | Formal structure with shareholders and board | Best for raising investment, issuing stock, or planning an IPO |
| Non-Profit Corporation | Mission-driven, eligible for tax-exempt status | Must separately apply for 501(c)(3) from IRS |
| Trade Name (DBA) | A fictitious name used by a sole proprietor or existing entity | No separate legal entity – just a name registration |
| Partnership (LP/LLP) | Two or more owners with shared responsibility | LP protects limited partners; LLP gives professional liability protection |
| Foreign Entity | Business formed in another state registering to operate in NH | Required if doing business in NH but incorporated elsewhere |
How to Check Business Name Availability in New Hampshire
New Hampshire requires that new business names be ‘distinguishable’ from existing registered names. Here’s how to check before filing:
- Search your desired name on quickstart.sos.nh.gov
- Check both active and inactive/dissolved entities – some inactive names are still restricted
- Look for similar names, not just exact matches – ‘Granite State Landscaping LLC’ and ‘Granite State Landscaping Inc.’ are likely too similar to both be registered
- Avoid names containing restricted words: ‘Bank,’ ‘Insurance,’ ‘Mortgage,’ ‘Trust’ without proper licensing
- To lock in a name before filing, submit a Name Reservation for $15 – holds the name for 120 days
Registering a New Business in New Hampshire
NH is considered one of the more business-friendly states – no income tax on wages, no sales tax, and relatively straightforward registration:
- LLCs: File Certificate of Formation online at quickstart.sos.nh.gov – $100 filing fee
- Corporations: File Articles of Incorporation – $100 filing fee
- Trade Names (DBA): Register with NH Secretary of State – $50 filing fee
- Foreign entities: File Application for Registration – $100 fee
- Registered Agent: Must be a person or entity with a physical NH address (not a P.O. Box)
- EIN: Obtain free from irs.gov after state registration
Annual Report Requirements in NH
| Entity Type | Annual Report Due | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC | April 1 each year | $100 | Late fee of $50 applies after deadline |
| Corporation (domestic) | April 1 each year | $100 | Same deadline and fee as LLCs |
| Non-Profit | April 1 each year | $25 | Reduced fee for non-profits |
| Foreign LLC | April 1 each year | $100 | Same as domestic |
| Foreign Corporation | April 1 each year | $100 | Same as domestic |
Common Use Cases for NH Business Search
| Who’s Searching | Why | What They Find |
|---|---|---|
| New business owners | Checking name availability before filing | Existing names that might conflict |
| Consumers / homeowners | Verifying a contractor is a real, active business | Status, how long in business, officer names |
| Attorneys / process servers | Finding registered agent for service of process | Registered agent name and address |
| Investors / buyers | Due diligence before a transaction | Filing history, good standing, ownership structure |
| Business owners | Researching a potential partner or vendor | Length of operation, entity type, officers |
NH Secretary of State Contact Information
- Website: quickstart.sos.nh.gov
- Phone: (603) 271-3246
- Email: corporate@sos.nh.gov
- Office: 107 North Main Street, Room 204, Concord, NH 03301
- Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
New Hampshire’s business search system is clean, fast, and requires no account to use for basic lookups. Whether you’re just starting out or doing professional due diligence, the information you need is a few clicks away.
