If you want to determine whether a company is legitimate, active, or even still operating in Utah, the Utah Business Entity Search is where the truth lives. This is a public tool that is more than just a search tool; it is a doorway into the corporate life of thousands of businesses that are operated in the state. From entrepreneurs validating a potential partner to consumers trying to verify a contractor is properly registered, understanding how to work within this public business database has potential time, money (or lost money), and also can eliminate serious risk.
In this guide, we’ll go through how the database operates, what information it provides, and how to best work the database through real-world examples. You will leave with an understanding of how to perform a search, what results mean, and how professionals rely on this due diligence tool.
What Is the Utah Business Entity Search?
The Utah Business Entity Search is an online database published by the Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code. It is a compilation of filings for business entities, name reservations, and foreign name registrations filed with the state of Utah. Filings images are available from January 1, 2000 to the present.
This database is essential to transparency in Utah’s business environment. If you are researching a potential investment, confirming a Utah business license, or verifying the legal state of said business; it is a detailed verifiable source of information.
How the Utah Business Entity Search Interface Works
The search interface offers two primary modes: basic search and advanced search. Both are user-friendly, but they cater to different needs.
Basic Search
At the top of the search page, you can choose whether your query Starts With, Contains, or requires an Exact Match. You can search using:
- Name – The official business name.
- Entity Number – A unique number assigned by the state.
- Domicile Name – Useful for foreign entities.
- Assumed Name – For DBAs (“Doing Business As”).
- Principal Name – Often the owner or main executive.
- Registered Agent Name – Helpful when tracing multiple companies tied to the same agent.
Once a name is entered, results display in a clear table with key details:
- Name and Other Name(s)
- Filing Date/Time
- Status and Status Details
- File Date
- Entity Type and Subtype
- Entity Number
This snapshot allows you to quickly see if a business is active, inactive, or cancelled.
👉 Example: If you type in “Mountain West Builders,” the database will return entities with similar names. You can immediately see which are active and which have been dissolved.
Detailed Entity Records
When you click on a business name in the results, you are taken to the profile for that entity, which includes:
- Entity Information: the entity’s name, number, type, subtype, profession, status, and the last date of renewal.
- Registered Agent Information: the registered agent’s name, type, address, and the last date update.
- Principal Information: leadership information, including titles, names, addresses and last updated.
- Address Information: mailing and physical addresses.
- Filing History: records of all submitted filings.
- Name History: previous names associated with the entity.
- Mergers/Conversions: any structural changes in the entity’s history.
These sections provide a powerful, documented look at a business’s legal standing.
Advanced Search Options
For those who need deeper precision, the advanced search panel expands filtering capabilities:
- Entity Type & Subtype – Narrow searches to corporations, LLCs, nonprofits, cooperatives, and more.
- Domesticity – Separate Utah-based companies from foreign entities registered in the state.
- Entity Status – Choose between active, inactive, or cancelled entities.
- Status Reason – See why an entity is inactive (e.g., abandoned, administratively dissolved).
- Date Filters – Search by filing date or status update date.
- Include Inactive Reservations – Capture name reservations or registrations no longer in use.
👉 Practical scenario: An attorney performing due diligence before a merger can filter by “Active” corporations formed within the last five years, ensuring only currently valid entities appear.
Practical Use Cases for Utah Business Entity Search
- Consumers: Verify that a contractor or service provider is legally registered before signing a contract.
- Entrepreneurs: Check name availability to avoid conflicts before registering a new LLC.
- Lawyers: Use filing history to uncover compliance patterns or dissolution risks.
- Journalists & Researchers: Review patterns of business registration or to establish connections between businesses based on registered agents.
As previously stated, the Utah business entity search service provides fairly useful data for anyone, which makes it a versatile tool.
Best Practices When Searching
- Start Broad, Then Refine – Begin with “Contains” searches for partial names, then narrow down with exact matches.
- Leverage Agent Searches – If you suspect multiple companies are tied to the same registered agent, this is the fastest way to connect the dots.
- Check Filing History – Don’t rely only on status. A business may be active but repeatedly late with renewals—a potential red flag.
- Use Advanced Filters – Narrow your results by entity type and filing dates when dealing with common names.
Related Resources for Deeper Research
The Utah Business Entity Search is powerful on its own, but often you’ll want to expand your research:
- To investigate a company’s financial disclosures, the EDGAR Database from the SEC is essential.
- To confirm trademarks or intellectual property, the USPTO Trademark Database is a must-use resource.
Together, these databases form a complete due diligence toolkit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How to look up a business entity in Utah?
Go to the Utah Business Entity Search, enter the business name or entity number, and review the results.
How to verify a business license in Utah?
Use the search results to confirm if the entity is active and legally recognized by the Division of Corporations. Check the status and renewal dates.
How to find a business entity name?
Use the “Contains” option in the Name search field. This is especially useful if you’re unsure of the exact spelling.
What is the website for Utah business registration?
The official site is https://businessregistration.utah.gov.
How to search for business name registration?
Use the “Assumed Name” field or “Name History” tab in entity profiles to see DBA registrations.
Do I have to register my business in Utah?
Yes, if you plan to operate legally in Utah. Whether as a corporation, LLC, or sole proprietor using a DBA, registration is required to comply with state law.
Sources
- Utah Division of Corporations and Commercial Code – Utah Business Entity Search
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission – EDGAR Database
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office – Trademark Database
- Utah Code, Title 16 – Corporations
