How to Look Up an LLC in New Jersey (2026)
To look up an LLC in New Jersey, use the state's free Business Name Search tool from the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. Search by business name, keyword or entity ID number, and the tool shows whether a matching LLC is on file.
New Jersey runs business filings through that same Division, inside the Department of the Treasury. No other state office handles this. A paid Business Entity Status Report goes further, with far more detail than the free search gives you.
This guide walks through the search steps first, then how to reach the Division by phone or pull a paid report. After that comes New Jersey's naming rules and its trademark database.
Quick Summary
- Search New Jersey's business database by name, keyword or entity ID.
- New Jersey counts 1.1 million small businesses, 99.7% of the state's total, per the SBA [1].
- Call the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services when the search tool can't answer your question.
| Method | What to Enter | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name Search | Full or partial LLC name | Checking name availability or finding a specific entity |
| Entity ID Search | New Jersey's 10-digit business ID number | Pulling up a record you already have on hand |
How Do I Look Up an LLC in New Jersey
1. Search Online
The Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services' free Business Name Search tool is the state's own search system. Four search types are available:
- Business Name: full or partial LLC name
- Keywords: a word tied to the business
- Entity ID: the state's 10-digit business ID number
- Name Availability: checks whether a chosen name is free to register
2. Reserve a Name Before You File
Once your search confirms a name is free, you can reserve it before filing your paperwork. Reserving is optional, and the state doesn't recommend it. A reserved name stays held for 6 months. To register the LLC under that name before the 6 months run out, you have to mail a paper application rather than filing online.
Reserving a name also blocks you from using it to sign up in New Jersey's online formation system. Canceling a reservation is slow, and it costs a fee too. You don't have to reserve a name at all. The online business filing portal lets you register your chosen name directly, no reservation step needed.
3. Call the Division
Call the Division at (609) 292-9292 when a search comes up short or you need help interpreting the result. Have the business name or entity ID ready before you call.
The office's Records Unit handles mailed requests at PO Box 450, Trenton, NJ 08646, and takes faxed requests at 609-984-6855.
4. Get a Business Entity Status Report
Search the Business Records Service by business name, entity ID, principal name, registered agent or an associated name. That pulls New Jersey's paid, detailed business record.
The report lists the registered agent, business addresses, the filing date, the date of the last annual report and the entity's legal status. Allow up to two business days for a new electronic filing to show up in a status report search.
New Jersey State Naming Guidelines
New Jersey law sets the naming rules that apply to an LLC on file with the Division [2]. An LLC name must include the words "limited liability company," or the abbreviation "LLC" or "L.L.C." "Limited" can shorten to "Ltd.," and "company" can shorten to "Co."
A few more rules apply:
- The name must stand apart from other names already on file or reserved with the Division.
- The name can't use a word or phrase restricted by another New Jersey statute unless that restriction is met first.
- A name that doesn't meet these rules can still get approved with the current name owner's written consent, or with a court judgment establishing the right to use it.
The name becomes official the moment the Division accepts your Certificate of Formation, the document that puts it on the record.
How to Check If a Business Name Is Trademarked in New Jersey
New Jersey registers trademarks and service marks through the Division. The rule sits in a separate part of state law [3]. Registration runs $50 for the first class. Each added class costs $50 more, filed on Form TMSM-01.
A state trademark only protects use inside New Jersey. It doesn't block a business name registration by itself. The two systems run separately, but check both before you commit to a name.
Search the Federal Database Too
A state trademark doesn't cover the rest of the country. Run the same name through the USPTO's trademark search system before you rely on a state-only clearance.
A federal mark outranks a state registration. An existing federal mark can block your name even if New Jersey's own database comes back clear. Search both databases. Then check ordinary web and social searches for unregistered, common-law use too.
Reasons to Run a New Jersey LLC Search
A name search pays off most right before you start an LLC in New Jersey, but a few other situations call for the same tool:
- Confirm a chosen name is free before you file paperwork.
- Search by a registered agent's name when comparing registered agent services in New Jersey.
- Check whether an entity is still on file before you sign a contract with it.
- Research what's already registered with a New Jersey LLC formation service before you plan your own filing.
Looking up a company registered in a different state? Our guide to looking up an LLC breaks down the process state by state. Closing a New Jersey entity instead of searching for one? Start with our guide to dissolving an LLC in New Jersey.
FAQs
How Often Do I Need to Update My LLC Information in New Jersey?
Update your LLC's information in New Jersey once a year by filing the Annual Report. It costs $75 and is due on the last day of the month your LLC was formed.
What's the Difference Between the Free Search and a Business Entity Status Report?
The basic online search only confirms whether a name is on file. A Business Entity Status Report costs money and adds the registered agent's name, business address, filing date and current legal status.
How Much Does a Certified Copy of a New Jersey LLC Document Cost?
A certified copy of a New Jersey LLC document costs $50 per document. An uncertified photocopy costs $0.10 per page instead.
What Is a New Jersey Business Entity?
A New Jersey business entity is any business registered with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. Searching before you file helps you avoid picking a name that's already taken or too close to one on record.
References:
- https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/New_Jersey_2025-State-Profile.pdf
- https://law.onecle.com/new-jersey/title-42/42-2c-8.html
- https://law.onecle.com/new-jersey/title-56/index.html
