Lookup Business Entity | Form Corporation | FAQ
Individuals seeking to check the availability of a desired entity’s operating name, information, or a Certificate of Good Standing for a particular entity should conduct a business entity search using the Rhode Island online business portal. A business search may be done using several search parameters, each of which has its guide.
| Official website: | https://business.sos.ri.gov/CorpWeb/CorpSearch/CorpSearch.aspx |
| Address: | 148 West River Street, Providence, RI 02904-2615 |
| Telephone: | 1(401)22-3040 |
| Fax: | 1(401) 222-3879 |
| E-mail: | corporations@sos.ri.gov |
Rhode Island Business Search Shortcut
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How To Look Up An Entity In Rhode Island
Rhode Island Secretary Of State Business Search By Name
- Go to Rhode Island SOS business search website and type the name into the area at the top.
- Then choose the type of search using the drop-down box on the right.
- A list will be produced based on the metrics of your search. A limited amount of information, including the entity’s name, will be supplied.
- To get more information on a given entity, simply click on its name to the left of the page and it will take you to its information page. This page will provide all the information about the entity on file with the Secretary of State.
- Additionally, you will be able to choose particular files and seek a certificate by clicking on them.
Rhode Island Secretary Of State Business Search By Identification Number
The simplest approach to getting your entity’s company data is to search by identification number. Because each entity has just one number on file with the state, it will take you straight to that entity’s page.
- Go to the Rhode Island SOS business website and fill out the second field with your ID number.
- The next page will provide all the information about the entity on file with the Secretary of State.
- Additionally, you will be able to choose particular files and seek a certificate by clicking on them.
Rhode Island Secretary Of State Business Search By Individual Or Agent
- Go to the Rhode Island SOS website and type in the name of the individual or agent in the provided search area.
- To proceed, choose “search” once you’ve inputted your information and selected the appropriate search technique.
- On the secondary page, the name of the individual or agent will appear in the left-side column of the search results.
- There will be a blue highlighted link to the entity’s name inside each section. To go to the business specifics, click this link.
- You may review all the information on file with the Secretary of State using the business details. Also, you will be able to review all of the entity’s filings and obtain a certificate on the company’s behalf.
Rhode Island Secretary Of State Business Search By Business Address
- Type the address into the relevant form on the webpage and click Search.
- All entities with a similar business address in their database will appear. You will need to click on the entity’s name once more.
- The business information contained in the Secretary of State’s name database can reveal the business type, date of incorporation or formation, location of its primary office, and much more.
- You can also seek a certificate or go over the entity’s filings.
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Rhode Island Secretary Of State Business Search For A Purpose
The ability to search by business objective is the final and possibly most cryptic option. You may view a particular entity’s filing history and company facts if you know a few key terms that were used in its first registration while identifying the entity’s purpose. To get more information than what’s shown in the search results, click the blue link.
The information about the business that you investigated and that is on file with the Secretary of State will be made available to you. All the information updated in each yearly report and initially filed in its initial formation paperwork will be included.
Steps To Form Your New Corporation In Rhode Island
1. Name Your Corporation
The name of your corporation must be distinct from that of other corporate names that are currently on record with the Rhode Island Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. By checking the Rhode Island business name database, names may be examined for availability. By submitting an Application for Reservation of Name to the Rhode Island Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Commercial Services, you can reserve a name for six months.
2. Select a Registered Agent in Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island such as Northwest Registered Agent and GoDaddy, a Rhode Island resident, a Rhode Island company, or a foreign entity may serve as a registered agent.
3. Organize a Business 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.
4. Obtain an EIN
Obtaining a federal employer 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.
5. Incorporate in Rhode Island by filing the Articles of Incorporation
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.
6. Create and approve 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.
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7. Determine whether the new company requires any federal, state, or local business licenses
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.
8. Calculate your payroll tax obligations
Note that corporate taxes must be paid separately from shareholder profits taxes. Federal and state governments require the proper returns to be filed annually in order to do this.
9. Get other necessary requirement
Make a phone number, voicemail, website, email address, and business cards for the firm, as well as a physical and/or mailing address.
Frequently Asked Questions On Rhode Island Secretary Of State Business Search
Is it necessary for me to report who works for my company?
Employers and labor organizations conducting business in Rhode Island are required to record the employment of anybody who lives or works in the state and for whom the employer expects to pay wages. Employees who have been laid off, furloughed, separated, awarded leave without pay, or dismissed from employment must be rehired or returned to work. The Rhode Island New Hires Directory must be completed.
Is it necessary for me to acquire a workers’ compensation policy for my workers?
With a few exceptions, any company with one or more employees is required to have workers’ compensation insurance. Individual owners and partners are not subject to the tax. Employers are required by law to post a poster identifying their insurance provider or adjusting firm.