Search Rules
This page provides public access to the rules used in each of the Business Services online searches.
 
Name Search:
  • The search name is evaluated against the 'Old Name' field of the filing.
  • The search name is also evaluated against the 'Assumed Name' field of the filing.
  • The search is evaluated using the exact name entered by the user. By default the search will return names that start with the search value, although you may choose to search for names that contain the search value anywhere.
  • The search disregards spaces, capitalization and all punctuation in the name.
  • Within the search results, old names and assumed names shall be designated as such. The 'Name Type' column in the results will return 'Old' or 'Assumed'.
 
Secretary of State Control Number Search:
  • The user is not required to enter preceding zeros in the Secretary of State Control Number.
  • Only an exact match will result in a record being returned in the search results.
 
Name Availability Search:
  • The search will include business entities including registered names and reserved names as well as any assumed names for active entities.
  • The search is evaluated using the exact name entered by the user.
  • The search disregards spaces, capitalization and all punctuation in the name.
  • The search does not distinguish between singular and plural versions of the name. For example, if the user enters 'Red Feather' and there is a record in the system named 'Red Feathers', the record is returned in the results. The converse is also true.