To run a North Dakota LLC lookup, use the Secretary of State’s free FirstStop business search at firststop.sos.nd.gov/search. A search takes about 30 seconds and returns the company’s legal name, current status, registered agent, principal office address, and filing history.
Running the Search
The search bar has a dropdown filter beside it. “Starts With” tightens results when you know the first word or two of the LLC’s name. “Contains” scans for a keyword anywhere in the registered name, which helps when you only remember part of it. A separate filter limits results to active entities, so you can skip dissolved and delinquent companies if that’s what you want.
Type the name or keyword and click the search icon. A list of matching entities appears with each one’s name and status. If you already have the System ID, a unique number assigned when the LLC was formed, enter that for a direct hit. Click the entity name to open the full record.
What the Record Shows
The legal name appears exactly as registered. Small differences in spelling or punctuation can mean you’re looking at a different company, so read it carefully. The System ID sits alongside the name and never changes, even if the LLC later amends what it’s called.
Status is the next thing to check. North Dakota uses labels like Active-Good Standing, Delinquent, and Dissolved. Active-Good Standing means the LLC has met its filing obligations. Delinquent means it has missed a required filing, usually the annual report. Dissolved means the company is no longer authorized to do business in the state.
The record also lists the principal office address (the primary place where the business is managed) and the registration date. That date is useful when you’re vetting a potential partner or contractor. A company registered last month tells a different story than one registered ten years ago.
Reading the Registered Agent Line
Every North Dakota LLC must maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state.1North Dakota Legislative Branch. North Dakota Code 10-32.1-16 – Registered Office and Registered Agent The agent is the person or company designated to receive legal documents like lawsuits and official notices on behalf of the LLC, and both the agent’s name and address appear in the public record.2Secretary of State. Registered Agents
If an LLC fails to maintain one, the Secretary of State steps in as the default agent for service of process.3North Dakota Legislative Branch. North Dakota Code 10-01.1-13 – Service of Process on Entities Seeing the Secretary of State listed as the agent is a red flag. It usually means the company has let its compliance lapse and may be on the path to involuntary dissolution.
Why a Record Might Say Delinquent or Dissolved
North Dakota requires every domestic and foreign LLC to file an annual report with the Secretary of State before November 16 each year.4North Dakota Legislative Branch. North Dakota Code 10-32.1-89 – Annual Report to the Secretary of State The first report isn’t due until November 16 of the year after formation, and the filing fee is $50.5Secretary of State. Limited Liability Company (LLC) Reports go through the FirstStop portal.6Secretary of State. Business Services
Miss the deadline and things get expensive. An LLC that fails to file for six months can be involuntarily terminated by the state. When that happens, the company loses its legal standing and its authority to transact business in North Dakota. A missed annual report is one of the most common reasons a lookup returns a Dissolved status.
If the LLC You Found Has Been Dissolved
An LLC that has been involuntarily terminated can apply for reinstatement within one year of the dissolution date. The process involves filing any past-due annual reports, paying the outstanding fees, and paying a reinstatement fee. The Secretary of State’s published formation fee is $135, and reinstatement typically carries the same amount.5Secretary of State. Limited Liability Company (LLC) Because the Secretary of State becomes the default registered agent when an LLC is terminated, the company also has to designate a new registered agent as part of reinstatement.
After one year from the termination date, reinstatement through the Secretary of State’s office is no longer available. At that point, the owners would need a court order from Burleigh County Court to revive the entity. If you discover your own LLC has been dissolved during a lookup, moving quickly matters.
Using the Same Tool to Check Name Availability
FirstStop doubles as a name availability check for anyone forming a new LLC. North Dakota requires every business name to be “distinguishable on record” from existing registered names, a standard defined in North Dakota Administrative Code chapter 72-03-02. The Secretary of State makes the final call on whether a proposed name is too similar to an existing one. Names must use characters from the standard ASCII set.7Secretary of State. Register a Business
When a Lookup Isn’t Enough: Certificate of Good Standing
Banks, lenders, and business partners in other states often require an official Certificate of Good Standing before they’ll work with an LLC. The certificate is a formal document from the Secretary of State confirming the LLC exists and has met its filing obligations. You can request one through the FirstStop portal for a $20 fee.8Secretary of State. Maintain Registration