How To Search Kentucky Business Entities
- How To Search Kentucky Business Entities
- How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Kentucky?
- Why Conduct a Kentucky Entity Search?
- Who Holds Data for Kentucky Business Entity Search?
- What Entities Can You Register in Kentucky?
- How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Kentucky?
- How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Kentucky?
- How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Kentucky?
- Additional Information Available on the Kentucky Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website
- FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Kentucky
Small businesses make up more than 99% of the business entities in Kentucky, with new ones registering with the Secretary of State’s office regularly. Most business entities, including LLCs, professional service organizations, and nonprofits, must register with the Kentucky Secretary of State’s Business OneStop Portal. The Kentucky Secretary of State’s website is usually the best source for the most accurate and up-to-date information about businesses in the state.
Finding detailed information about a business entity in Kentucky is relatively straightforward. Anyone may be able to conduct an in-depth review of a potential partnership or determine the legitimacy of a Kentucky business entity.
Choose Your Search Criteria
You may search by:
Business NameEnter the full or partial name of the business.
Organization NumberEnter the organization number of the business entity.
City Name of Principal OfficeEnter the city where the business’s principal office is located.
Zip Code of Principal OfficeEnter the zip code of the business’s principal office location.
Search by Industry
The Secretary of State’s business entity search page also offers a “search business by industry” feature, which allows you to view a list of Kentucky business entities based on industry type. Users may narrow the list by selecting the Kentucky county where the entity has the largest employment or transacts the most business, number of employees, and other options.
Review Search Results
After entering your search criteria, click the “search” button to view a list of matching Kentucky business entities. In addition to the entity name, the search results will display the company’s identification number (organization number), current status, and business type. Clicking on a specific business name will provide more detailed information about the entity.
Further Assistance
If you need help navigating the search process, you may contact the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office.
How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Kentucky?
A quick online search might lead you to a business's official website, which sometimes contains information about its directors and public-facing executives. However, this type of information doesn’t always accurately depict an entity’s ownership structure. You may need to search governmental filings or other public record databases for thorough details about who owns a business entity in Kentucky.
Begin by visiting the Kentucky Secretary of State’s business entity search page. This search tool is designed to provide detailed information about registered business entities in Kentucky and often includes the names of listed owners or officers. By following the outlined steps, you may be able to attain the information you are looking for.
Additional local resources that may help you identify local business owners include:
Additional Resources for Business Ownership Info
Chambers of CommerceLocal chambers of commerce often maintain public directories of members, which sometimes include ownership details.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)The BBB occasionally publishes business profiles, company ownership information, customer reviews, and complaints. Two BBB entities serve Kentucky: the BBB of Central & Eastern Kentucky and the BBB serving Greater Kentucky and South Central Indiana.
Other Public RecordsBusiness licenses, real estate records, and court documents involving the business entity may also provide ownership information.
Why Conduct a Kentucky Entity Search?
Anyone who wants to verify a company's trustworthiness and transparency before engaging in a professional relationship often relies on entity searches in Kentucky.
Investors similarly conduct Kentucky business entity searches to learn more about a company’s ownership structure, which may impact their investment decisions.
Kentucky entity searches may assist businesses in confirming the legitimacy of a supplier or business partner during the procurement process or when entering into a financial arrangement.
Entity searches may help detect potential rip-offs or fraudulent business practices by verifying registration details and ownership history.
Who Holds Data for Kentucky Business Entity Search?
What Entities Can You Register in Kentucky?
Several types of business entities may be registered in Kentucky.
Sole proprietorships are businesses owned by one individual. A company that operates under a name other than the owner's legal name may be required to register as a DBA (Doing Business As).
In a general partnership, two or more people serve as co-owners of a for-profit business. All partners are responsible for liabilities and debts; income is reported as part of each partner’s income.
LPs have general partners who manage the business and non-managing limited partners with liability protection.
LLPs offer liability protection to all partners, regardless of management role.
LLCs protect business owners' liability while allowing profits and losses to be reported on personal tax returns.
In a corporation, the business entity is separate from its owners, offering limited liability protection, and is taxed independently at the corporate level.
PCs are corporations established by licensed professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, or accountants, to provide professional services.
Nonprofits are organizations created for charitable, religious, educational, or other purposes. They often qualify for tax-exempt status under federal and state law because they do not provide financial profit to the benefit of members.
A business trust transfers business ownership to a trustee, who manages assets for beneficiaries. This is often done for estate planning, tax benefits, and liability protection.
How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Kentucky?
Choosing a business entity name in Kentucky requires sensible consideration. The name must adhere to Kentucky statutes and is not currently being used.
This is for practical and legal reasons, such as copyright and trademark laws.
While there is no available comprehensive list of business names registered in Kentucky, multiple databases may be searched to help you check if your desired name is available. These databases typically include:
How Do I Set up a Business Entity in Kentucky?
Next, you’ll need to follow these basic steps:
- Decide on a business name and ensure your chosen name is available.
- Register your business with the Secretary of State and the Department of Revenue.
- Report your company’s beneficial ownership information (BOI).
- Determine if you need a “Doing Business As” (DBA) business certificate.
- Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.
- Obtain any necessary licensing, permits, and insurance.
Click here for more detailed information about each of these steps.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Kentucky?
Additional Information Available on the Kentucky Secretary of State’s Website
FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Kentucky
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers regarding business entity searches in Kentucky.
- Why would I need to search for a business entity in Kentucky?
For legal, financial, or personal reasons, you may want to verify a company's legal status, check if it’s in good standing, or confirm ownership details.
- What types of entities can I search for in Kentucky?
You may search for sole proprietorships, general partnerships, professional service corporations, LLCs, nonprofits, business trusts, and more.
- Where can I perform a business entity search in Kentucky?
You may search for a business entity in Kentucky using the Secretary of State’s business entity search page.
- What information do I need to conduct an entity search in Kentucky?
To conduct an entity search in Kentucky, you typically need either the full or partial name of the business entity, the organization number, or by entering the zip code or city name of the business’s principal office location. The website also offers an advanced search based on industry type, which can be narrowed by county, number of employees, and other options.
- How do I find the official name of a Kentucky business?
You may find the official name of a Kentucky business using the Secretary of State’s business entity search page. You may search by business entity name, organization number, zip code, or city name of the business’s principal office location.
- Can I search for foreign entities in Kentucky?
Yes. You may search for businesses registered as foreign entities, which are companies formed in another state but authorized to operate in Kentucky.
- What information can I find in the Kentucky entity search?
You can typically find details such as the entity’s status (active, inactive, or dissolved), its registered agent, filing history, ownership structure, annual reports, and more.
- How do I verify if a Kentucky business is in good standing?
The Kentucky Secretary of State’s business entity search page generally allows you to check a business’s registration status and compliance with tax requirements.
- Can I search for an entity in Kentucky by its owner’s name?
The Kentucky Secretary of State’s business entity search page allows you to search by business entity name or organization number.
- How often is the Kentucky business entity database updated?
The Kentucky business entity database is updated annually when businesses file their annual reports, which are due on June 30th.
- Can I obtain copies of business filings in Kentucky?
Yes, you may request certified business filings from the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office, including articles of incorporation, articles of amendment, annual reports, and more.
- How do I find out who the registered agent of a Kentucky business is?
The registered agent's name and address are typically included in the business’s public filings, which may be accessed through the Kentucky Secretary of State’s business entity search page.
- How can I search for Kentucky businesses by their tax ID number?
The Kentucky Secretary of State’s business entity search page does not allow you to search for businesses using their tax ID numbers.
- What should I do if I can’t find a business entity in the Kentucky search?
Verify the spelling of the business name or search by the entity’s name or organization number. You may also need to check foreign entity filings to see if the business is registered in a different state or try a different name.
- How To Search Kentucky Business Entities
- How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Kentucky?
- Why Conduct a Kentucky Entity Search?
- Who Holds Data for Kentucky Business Entity Search?
- What Entities Can You Register in Kentucky?
- How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Kentucky?
- How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Kentucky?
- How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Kentucky?
- Additional Information Available on the Kentucky Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website
- FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Kentucky