Kentucky business entity search and name check

What the Kentucky search covers

The search covers every entity type on file with the Secretary of State, including Kentucky and out-of-state corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, LLPs and business trusts. Inactive entities are included unless you tick 'Show active entities only'. Assumed names (DBAs) are filed separately and may not appear in this search.

The name search matches names that begin with what you type and ignores a leading 'The' and punctuation, so 'smith' also finds 'S.M.I.T.H, LLC' and 'The Smitha Family Limited Partnership'. Results are listed alphabetically. The same box accepts a 7-digit Organization Number, which returns that one company.

When you search Kentucky here, keep in mind:

• We read the first page of up to 50 results; the official site lists closest matches first.

Each record has a Organization Number (for example 0332819). Choose “Look up an existing business”, then “Registry number”, to search by it.

How to read Kentucky results

Kentucky uses its own status labels. We always show the official wording; here is what the common ones mean according to the state:

A status describes the registry filing only. It isn’t evidence of a license, tax compliance or reputation, and a record with the same name as a company you know may be a different business. More on statuses.

Kentucky business name rules

An LLC name must include one of: limited liability company, limited company, LLC, LC. A corporation uses one of: corporation, company, limited, Corp., Inc., Co., Ltd..

A new name must be distinguishable from every name already on record with the Secretary of State, other than ordinary general partnerships. Kentucky law doesn't list which differences are ignored. (KRS 14A.3-010(1)) Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov

Kentucky doesn’t publish a list of the differences it ignores, so our check treats only capitalization and punctuation as insignificant and flags other close names as similar for you to judge.

Words that need approval or are restricted

Professional LLCs

A professional LLC's name must end with 'professional limited liability company', 'professional limited company', 'PLLC' or 'PLC'. A professional service corporation's name must end with 'professional service corporation' or 'P.S.C.' (KRS 14A.3-010(2) and (3)).

Reserving a name in Kentucky

Kentucky lets you reserve a name before you form the business for $15, held for 120 days. A reservation can be renewed for another $15.

Send a written Application for Reserved Name to the Secretary of State. Reservations can't be made by phone.

Kentucky name reservation Source: sos.ky.gov

Searching on this site doesn’t reserve anything. Only Kentucky Secretary of State can.

Forming an LLC in Kentucky

Document

Articles of Organization

State filing fee

$40
The $40 fee is also set in state law (KRS 275.055).

File online

Kentucky Secretary of State filing

Processing

Usually the same day the filing is received, and up to three business days.

Registered agent

Every Kentucky LLC needs a registered agent: an individual or business entity that accepts legal papers on the company's behalf.

Out-of-state LLC registering here

$90 (Application for Certificate of Authority (foreign LLC))

Fees change. Confirm them on the official Kentucky fee schedule before you file.

Keeping a Kentucky LLC in good standing

Annual Report: $15. File between January 1 and June 30 each year. Source: sos.ky.gov

Kentucky charges no late fee. Instead, a Kentucky entity that misses June 30 is administratively dissolved (inactive, bad standing), and an out-of-state entity's authority is revoked. Reinstating after administrative dissolution costs a $100 penalty plus any unpaid fees. The first annual report must list the company's officers, directors, members or managers.

Proof of status: Certificate of Existence / Authorization ($10). Source: sos.ky.gov

Assumed names (DBAs)

A Certificate of Assumed Name costs $20 at the Secretary of State and lasts 5 years. You can renew it in the 6 months before it expires. An assumed name filed with the Secretary of State must be distinguishable from names already on its records (KRS 365.015). Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov

Good to know about Kentucky

• Kentucky has no late fee for a missed annual report. A company that misses the June 30 deadline is administratively dissolved, and reinstating costs a $100 penalty plus unpaid fees. Source: sos.ky.gov
• Kentucky's statute lists 'LLC' and 'LC' without periods, and the designator goes at the end of the name. In the spelled-out forms, 'Ltd.' may stand for 'limited' and 'Co.' for 'company'. Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov
• Corporations pay a share-based organization tax on top of the $40 filing fee: 1 cent per share for the first 20,000 shares, with a $10 minimum. The $50 corporation figure on this page assumes the minimum. Source: sos.ky.gov
• A company's assumed name is filed with the Secretary of State, and a file-stamped copy must also be filed with the county clerk where its registered agent is located. Source: apps.legislature.ky.gov
• Kentucky records show 'Standing' (Good or Bad) as a separate field from Active or Inactive status, so check both. Source: sosbes.sos.ky.gov

Sources and accuracy

We checked this page against official Kentucky sources on October 30, 2026. Our monitor rechecks the official search, filing portal and fee pages daily and flags changes for review.

See something wrong? Tell us. We can fix how we present information, but only Kentucky Secretary of State can change an official record.