How to Look Up an LLC in North Dakota (2026)

Published by Jon Morgan | Co-Founder & Chief Editor

Last updated: August 21, 2026

FACT CHECKED by Lou Viveros, Growth & Transition Advisor

Methodology
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To look up an LLC in North Dakota, use the Secretary of State's search tool inside the FirstStop Portal and enter the business name.

The Business Search tab covers LLCs, corporations and other business entity types. Trademarks, contractors, lobbyists, charitable organizations and notaries each have their own search tab in the same portal.

This guide walks through every search method available, how to read what the results actually mean and how to check whether a name is already trademarked in North Dakota before you commit to it.

Quick Summary

How to Search for an LLC in North Dakota

Several ways work in North Dakota: open the FirstStop Portal, call the office or send an email. The portal answers right on the screen, while the phone and email options are there for anything the search tool can't settle.

1. Use the FirstStop Portal

The FirstStop Portal is the state's own search tool and a fast way to confirm whether an LLC is registered in North Dakota.

Here's how to use it:

• Open the Business Search page.
• Type the business name (or part of it) into the search box, or switch to the Advanced option for other search criteria.
• Submit the search and scan the results for the LLC you're looking for.
• Select the entity to open its filing record.

a. Search by Name

Enter the full or partial business name. A partial name is a good starting point if you're unsure of the exact spelling.

b. Use the Advanced Search Option

Switch to the Advanced tab for other search criteria when a plain name search returns more results than you want to scan through.

2. Call the Secretary of State's Office

For a question the search tool can't answer:

• Phone: 701-328-2900
• Toll-free: 800-352-0867

3. Send an Email

For a non-urgent question, or one you want a written answer to:

• Business Services email: sosbir@nd.gov

4. Check the Trade Name Listing Too

A trade name (a "doing business as" name) registers separately from an LLC's legal name, and it's searchable through the same FirstStop Portal [1]. Check it too if the business you're researching uses a different public-facing name.

How to Read North Dakota LLC Search Results

Once you open a match in the FirstStop Portal, the filing record shows the details that matter most: whether the business is Active, and whether it's in Good Standing. This applies across every LLC type North Dakota registers, business or farming/ranching [2].

A "Good Standing" business has filed its required annual reports. "Not Good Standing" flags a missed filing [3]. That status is worth taking seriously before you sign a contract or rely on that business for anything.

How to Check If a Business Name Is Trademarked in North Dakota

Checking whether a business name is trademarked in North Dakota comes down to two resources: the FirstStop Portal's trademark search and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Run both. State and federal protection are separate, and a name can be clear at one level and already taken at the other.

1. Search North Dakota's Trademark Registry

• Open the Trademark Search tool in the FirstStop Portal.
• Enter the business name or mark you want to check.
• The results show whether that name, or something close to it, is already registered with the state.

Registering a trademark or service mark with North Dakota is optional. State registration under N.D.C.C. ch. 47-22 gives exclusive rights to the mark inside the state [4].

2. Search the USPTO Database

• Use the USPTO's trademark search system to check federal registrations.
• A federal mark outranks a state registration, and this is the search that tells you whether the name is clear nationwide.

Reasons to Search for an LLC in North Dakota

There are more reasons to run an LLC search than a name check alone. Whether you're vetting a partner, sizing up the competition or getting ready to sign a deal, a quick lookup can save you a lot of trouble later.

Here are the main reasons it's worth doing:

• Verifying Business Legitimacy: Confirm a business is actually registered before you rely on anything it tells you.
• Due Diligence for Partnerships: Check a prospective partner's standing before you form an alliance.
• Legal Disputes: Pull a copy of the entity's filing record to support a legal proceeding.
• Trademark Checks: Catch a naming conflict before it turns into a legal problem.
• Checking Business Health: A lapsed or "Not Good Standing" entity is a sign of how well a company keeps up with its state obligations.
• Name Availability: Confirm your preferred name isn't already taken before you start an LLC in North Dakota.

The same tool helps when comparing a registered agent service in North Dakota, or vetting a North Dakota LLC formation service.

For a company registered somewhere else, see our guide to looking up an LLC. It covers the same steps for every other state. If you're closing a North Dakota entity instead of researching one, see our guide to dissolving an LLC in North Dakota.

FAQs

References:

1. https://sos.nd.gov/business/business-services/register-business
2. https://sos.nd.gov/business/business-services/business-structures/limited-liability-companies/limited-liability-company-llc
3. https://sos.nd.gov/business/business-services/maintain-registration
4. https://ndlegis.gov/cencode/t47c22.pdf