Secretary of State Business Filings by State

Last Updated: August 6, 2026

At the state level, the Secretary of State (or an equivalent office such as a Lieutenant Governor, Department of State, or corporations division) typically handles business entity filings, maintains public company records, and provides the official portals entrepreneurs use to form and maintain LLCs, corporations, and other entities.

For entrepreneurs starting a business, this office matters for several reasons:

  • Business registration — Most states file articles of organization/incorporation and maintain records for LLCs, corporations, and other legal entities through the Secretary of State or a dedicated business division.
  • Name and trademark filings — Many states also handle business name availability checks and state trademark registrations.
  • Public records — Entity status, registered agent information, and filing history are usually available through the official business portal.
  • Ongoing compliance — Annual reports, registered agent changes, and related filings often go through the same office.

Use the directory below to find each state’s current officeholder, main agency site, business/corporations portal, official business entity / name search, phone number, and email or contact form. Tap a letter to jump to those states.

Showing all states and territories.

Understanding each state’s filing office helps you register correctly, keep compliance current, and verify public business records.

As you continue exploring formation options, read our article on Multi-Member LLCs for more on structuring your business.