Michigan Business Entity Search: What You’ll Actually Find Inside

In Michigan, business registration transparency is more than a formality—it’s the cornerstone of public trust. The Michigan Business Entity Search, maintained by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), is one of the most thorough, public state business registration databases in the country. Whether you are a small business owner wanting to confirm your business filing status, a journalist investigating business ownership and structure, or an investor conducting due diligence, this database offers all the required essential details to confirm any registered entity in Michigan.

What Is the Michigan Business Entity Search?

The Michigan Business Entity Search is an online database created by the Corporation Division of LARA. It provides the ability to conduct searches for all entities that have been registered in the State of Michigan: limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations, limited partnerships, and nonprofit organizations. The database provides the official public record of corporate filings and is updated daily.

As noted on the site (state notice on October 18, 2025, at 10:07 a.m.), business filings received through October 14, 2025, have been processed and are therefore current since compliance analysis and due diligence rely on accurate real-time information.

That said, although the information is derived from official filings made with LARA, the Department expressly states it does not guarantee the accuracy nor completeness of the official documents. The legal disclaimer highlights that the user should always verify potential important information (i.e., ownership, status and/or legal standing) with the certified documents or information directly from LARA.

How to Use the Michigan Business Entity Search Step by Step

Accessing the database is straightforward and does not require login credentials unless you wish to file documents or order official certificates. Here’s how to perform a basic entity lookup:

1. Go to mibusinessregistry.lara.state.mi.us/search/business
2. Enter a business name or filing number in the main search field.
3. Click the Search button.
4. Review the list of results showing matching or similar entities.

Each record displays key information, including:

• Entity Name
• Filing Date
• Entity Type (e.g., LLC, Corporation, Nonprofit)
• Status (Active, Dissolved, Withdrawn, etc.)
• AR Standing (Annual Report Standing)
• AR Due Date
• Agent Name and Entity ID

The Advanced Search panel allows more refined queries, such as filtering by individual name, resident agent name, or specific date ranges. Users can also filter by entity type and registration date—ideal for researchers tracking business formation trends over time.

Understanding the Search Results

After performing a search, users can click on a company’s Entity Name to view its full record. The expanded record typically includes:

• Identification Number (ID)
• Jurisdiction
• Registered Office Street Address
• Resident Agent Name
• Initial Filing Date
• Inactive Date (if applicable)
• Management Type
• Annual Report (AR) Due Date and Standing

Each record provides a complete administrative history, which can reveal important compliance insights. For example, a company with an overdue AR Due Date might be at risk of administrative dissolution—a crucial red flag for potential partners or clients.

Advanced Tools: History, Filings, and Trademark Search

One of the features that is most helpful on the Michigan Business Registry is the View History and Filing option. This feature allows you to pull up a company’s entire filing history including amendments, name changes, mergers or dissolutions. The historical view is particularly valuable for corporate researchers or other auditors because it provides a time-sequenced paper trail of filings to verify that a company was in good standing over time.

In addition, the site includes a dedicated Trademark Search tool, available at mibusinessregistry.lara.state.mi.us/search/trademark. This allows users to check registered trademarks filed within the state of Michigan, making it a valuable complement to the federal USPTO Trademark Database.

How to Verify a Michigan LLC

Verifying an LLC in Michigan involves three main steps:

1. Search by Name or ID: Enter the LLC name or its unique identification number.
2. Check Status and Standing: Ensure that the status is “Active” and the AR Standing is “Good.”
3. Review the Resident Agent and Filing History: This helps confirm that the business is legitimate and compliant.

For businesses requiring proof of registration, users can request official certificates or copies directly through the database—though an account and login are required for this.

In cases where you also need to verify the company’s federal identification, you can consult the EIN Database Guide to locate or confirm the company’s Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Connecting Michigan’s Registry to Other Public Databases

What makes Michigan’s Business Entity Search truly powerful is how it complements other public datasets. For example:

• Financial analysts often cross-reference Michigan filings with the EDGAR Database to verify whether a company is publicly traded or subject to SEC reporting.
• Trademark professionals combine it with the USPTO Trademark Database to ensure name and brand availability.
• Corporate compliance officers use it alongside the EIN Database to link state-level entities to their federal identifiers.

This integrated approach allows for more comprehensive due diligence and ensures that information gathered from one registry aligns with federal and interstate records.

FAQ – Michigan Business Entity Search

Can you look up an LLC in Michigan?
Yes. You can search any registered LLC by name or ID on the Michigan Business Entity Search portal. The results will show status, standing, and filing details.

How do I look up an EIN number in Michigan?
EIN numbers are issued by the IRS, not the state. However, you can learn how to locate or verify an EIN using this EIN Database Guide.

What is Michigan LARA?
LARA stands for the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. It oversees business registration, professional licensing, and regulatory compliance across the state.

How to verify a business in Michigan?
Use the Michigan Business Entity Search to check the company’s “Active” status and confirm that its Annual Report (AR) is up to date.

Can I look up a trademark in Michigan?
Yes. The Michigan Trademark Search lets you review state-level trademark filings.

Sources and References

• Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA): https://mibusinessregistry.lara.state.mi.us
• LARA Corporations Division – Business Search Legal Disclaimer
• U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – EDGAR Database
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
• TheDatabaseSearch.com expert guides on EDGAR, USPTO Trademark Database, and EIN Database

Explore Other U.S. State Business Entity Databases (A–Z)

Below you can access detailed guides to official business entity search portals for each U.S. state and territory. Use the drop-down list to explore step-by-step instructions for accessing each database.