Wisconsin Business Entity Search

How to Search Wisconsin's Register

The official search is the state's “WI Corporate Records Search” page, on apps.dfi.wi.gov. We have not confirmed whether the state charges to search, so check the search page itself. Open the official search.

On the main search page you can search by:

• Entity name
• Entity or filing number

The state also runs separate search pages:

• Advanced Search, to search by entity name, or by registered agent or registered office.

What a Search Result Shows

A Wisconsin result includes the items below, according to the state's own pages or a result page we read. It may show more.

• Formation or registration date
• Entity type
• Registered agent or registered office
• Filing history
• Principal office address
• Status

What Each Wisconsin Status Means

The status is the label the register puts on each entity. Where the state defines a label, the meaning below restates that definition, with a link to the state page it comes from. Where it does not, we do not guess from the word, because the same word can mean different things in different states.

This list is not complete. It holds the labels we found on the state's status definitions page, and the register may show others.

If the search shows that your own LLC was dissolved, see how to reinstate an LLC in Wisconsin.

A search result is not a certificate of good standing. If a bank or another state asks for one, see how to get a Wisconsin certificate of good standing.

Viewing and Ordering Documents

We have not confirmed whether filed documents can be viewed online; check the search page.

A plain copy of a filed document costs $5.00, and a certified copy costs $10.00 per document.

Is the Name Available?

The state has a separate search for checking whether a name is available. Open the name availability search. The state says checking a name on its business entity search is only preliminary, not a formal decision that the name is available.

The state's naming standard, in its own words: “distinguishable on the records of the department.”

We have not confirmed whether Wisconsin requires a name reservation before you file. A name reservation costs $15.00. The $15.00 fee covers a 120 day reservation for a limited liability company, business corporation, limited liability partnership or cooperative; limited partnerships and nonstock corporations pay $10.00.

Our free LLC name checker looks up domain and social media handle availability for a name. It does not search Wisconsin's register, so check the state's search as well.

Bulk Business Entity Data

Wisconsin offers bulk business entity data for a fee. The Department sells two datasets: its complete corporate database as a text file, and a monthly file of entities formed or registered in the previous month, which costs $5 a month. The files include entity name, registered agent and office, entity type, formation date and current status. See the state's bulk data page.