Lookup Business Entity | Form Corporation | FAQ
A search on the Secretary of State’s website of the state or territory where the corporation is registered will yield information on any corporation or business entity registered in Massachusetts. Individuals wishing to discover a specific entity, information about that entity, or just explore Massachusetts’ entity database by any number of parameters can utilize a simplified online method.
| Official Website: | http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cor/coridx.htm |
| Address: | Secretary of the Commonwealth, Corporations Division, One Ashburton Place, 17th floor, Boston, MA 02108-1512 |
| Phone: | 1(617)727-9640 |
| E-Mail: | corpinfo@sec.state.ma.us |
| Fax: | (617)742-4538 |
Massachusetts Business Search Shortcut
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How to lookup a business entity in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Secretary of State Business Search by Entity Name
- To search entity data by name, go to the search page and indicate that you wish to search by name by ticking the box next to the search by entity name sub-heading. Enter the name you want to look for, then choose the type of search you would like to use. Finally, to begin the search, select search businesses.
- The entity database will return a page of results based on your query. Click on the name of a business to get to its information page.
- You’ll discover all the necessary info you’ve chosen on this page.
- You can request a certificate, see the filings, or start a new search from this page by clicking the relevant link.
Massachusetts Secretary of State Business Individual Name Search
- You may search by the name of an individual connected with the entity (officer, director, etc.) as well as the entity’s name, with the procedure being almost identical. Tap the box next to the subheading “search by individual name” on the search page. To proceed, fill in the blanks with the person’s complete legal name. Select the sort of search you want to run and the search companies you want to work with to finish the search.
- Just as when you searched by entity name, the site will provide a list of results depending on your query. Select the entity about which you wish to learn more to proceed.
- As you can see, the website has about everything a person could ever desire to know about a specific organization. It also includes a set of options that allow users to get a certificate, see an itemized summary of all filings, and, if desired, start a new entity search.
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Massachusetts Secretary of State Business Search by Identification Number or Filing Number
- You may do a search by ID number or file number from the same search page from which you would typically conduct a search. Select “search corporations” after entering the number(s) in the columns next to “search by identification number” and “search by filing number.”
- Depending on the type of a single number supplied in both cases, the search will not return a list of results, but will instead go to the entity’s information page. As previously stated, you may use this page to explore a full list of filings, receive the certificate, or begin a new search.
Steps To Form A New Corporation
1. Check for availability of a business name for the corporation
The name of your corporation must include the terms “Incorporated,” “Corporation,” “Company,” or “Limited,” or a short version of one of those phrases. The name of your corporation must be distinct from that of other corporate names that are currently on record with the Massachusetts Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
By checking the Massachusetts business name database, names may be examined for availability. By submitting an Application for Reservation of Name to the Massachusetts Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Commercial Services, you can reserve a name for six months.
2. Select a Registered Agent in Massachusetts
The state of Massachusetts requires every business to have an agent for legal process serving. If a company is sued, this person or business consents to take court documents on the company’s behalf. An entity with a certificate of power to conduct business in Massachusetts such as Northwest Registered Agent and GoDaddy, a Massachusetts resident, a Massachusetts company, or a foreign entity may serve as a registered agent.
3. Choose a corporation’s board or directors
The management of the corporation is done by the board of directors. A company’s first board of directors is frequently chosen by the incorporators. Following that, the board is picked by the shareholders every year. A director or shareholder may be an incorporator. A Massachusetts corporation can really be founded by one individual, who can also hold all of the titles that go along with it. The three titles, however, are connected to various corporate functions.
4. Prepare articles of incorporation and file them with the Secretary of the State
The articles must contain the following information: the corporation’s name; its intention; the number of shares it is permitted to issue; the name and address of the agent receiving service of process; the name and address of the resident agent receiving service of process; and the names and addresses of all incorporators.
5. Make the bylaws for the corporation
The fundamental guidelines for running your organization are outlined in the bylaws, which are internal corporate documents. They are not reported to the government. Corporate bylaws are not legally needed for your company, but you should nonetheless adopt them since they define how your company will operate and demonstrate to lenders, creditors, the IRS, and other parties that your company is genuine.
6. Organize an all-hands meeting
The first corporate directors are chosen by the incorporator and serve on the board up until the inaugural annual shareholder meeting. At the first board meeting, the directors pick corporate officials, choose a corporate bank, establish the corporation’s fiscal year, approve the issuing of shares of stock, and adopt a formal stock certificate form and official seal.
7. Distribute stock certificates to the company’s first shareholders
The number of shares issued should be stated in the company’s annual report. Most firms offer certificates to shareholders stating their shares, even though it is not usually necessary. Stock can be privately or publicly issued. Typically, founders, management, workers, or a small group of investors receive privately issued shares. A public corporation offers some of its equity shares for sale to the general public.
8. Obtain any local licenses that are necessary
Take time to investigate any necessary permissions or licenses to maintain your new firm on the legal straight and narrow. Depending on the type of company services you offer, the county or city where your firm is situated, and if you employ people, different permissions and licenses may be required.
9. Determine the corporation’s tax and other regulatory requirements, as well as any appropriate registrations
Obtaining a federal employment identification number (EIN) is required for your business. For taxation reasons, this identification number serves as the corporation’s Social Security number. Among other things, it enables you to recruit staff and create a company bank account. The IRS website has an online application that you may use to get an EIN. You will require this number for future documents and to file your company’s tax filings, so keep a record of it.
Every corporation in Massachusetts is obliged to submit an annual report by May 15 of each year. You must provide the following details in this report:
business name; the name and location of the registered agent; executives’ and directors’ names and addresses; a description of the kinds of business services offered; shareholders’ names and addresses (for professional corporations)
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Frequently asked questions on Massachusetts Secretary of State Business Search
How do I come up with a name for a small business?
Choosing a name for a small business is frequently a personal project. The majority of small business startup budgets will not allow you to hire someone to help you name your company.
How can I come up with a unique business name?
The first step in naming your company is to figure out what type of business structure you’ll use. After that, you’ll come up with at least four potential names. The more ideas you generate, the better. Once you have a list of names, compare them to industry standards, name availability, and state regulations.
Is it necessary to have a registered agent in Massachusetts to register a business?
A registered agent is someone who is responsible for receiving official documents on behalf of your LLC, LLP, or corporation. Individuals can serve as registered agents as long as they have a physical address (a post office box is not permitted) in the same state. One of the most significant advantages of using a third-party registered agent service company is that it adds a layer of privacy between the company and the general public. All papers are received by the registered agent company on behalf of the business and can be mailed to you discreetly. Northwest Registered Agent has a fantastic reputation in the market and offers free mail forwarding.