Massachusetts business entity search and name check

Massachusetts LLCs pay $500 to form and another $500 for every annual report, both fixed in state law, which makes the Commonwealth one of the most expensive places to keep an LLC. Business records are kept by the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Corporations Division and searched through its Business Entity Search (CorpWeb). We don't search Massachusetts from this site; we link you to that official search.

Registry: Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division
Official search: Corporations Division Business Entity Search (CorpWeb)
How we search Massachusetts: Official site only (we hand you off). The Massachusetts search site runs a bot-protection check that blocks automated requests, and we don't try to get around it, so we link you to the official search.
What a result can tell you: Searching the official site shows names on record. Massachusetts decides acceptance when you file.
State fee to form an LLC: $500 (Certificate of Organization)
Ongoing LLC filing: Annual Report, $500. Filed every year

What the Massachusetts search covers

The Corporations Division search looks up businesses registered with the Secretary of the Commonwealth. You can search by business name, ID number, the name of an individual such as an officer or agent, or filing number.

Each record has a ID Number. Search by number on the Corporations Division Business Entity Search (CorpWeb).

How to read Massachusetts results

Massachusetts does not publish definitions for its status labels in one place. We show the official wording exactly as the registry gives it.

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.

Massachusetts business name rules

An LLC name must include one of: limited liability company, limited company, L.L.C., L.C., LLC, LC. A corporation uses one of: corporation, incorporated, company, limited, corp., inc., ltd..

An LLC name can't be the same as, or deceptively similar to, the name of a Massachusetts or registered out-of-state corporation, limited partnership or LLC, or a reserved name, unless that entity files its written consent. A corporation name can't be the same as, or so similar that it's likely to be mistaken for, another entity's name or trade name, a reserved name, or a registered mark. (M.G.L. c. 156C §3; c. 156D §4.01) Source: malegislature.gov

Massachusetts 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.

Using a similar name with consent

Yes, for LLCs. You can use a similar name if the existing entity's written consent is filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth (M.G.L. c. 156C §3).

Reserving a name in Massachusetts

Massachusetts lets you reserve a name before you form the business, held for 60 days. It can be extended once for another 60 days on written request.

File an application with the Secretary of the Commonwealth naming the name to be reserved and the applicant's name and address. A reservation can be transferred to someone else by filing a notice of transfer.

Massachusetts name reservation

Searching on this site doesn’t reserve anything. Only Corporations Division can.

Forming an LLC in Massachusetts

Document: Certificate of Organization
State filing fee: $500
The $500 fee is set by state law (M.G.L. c. 156C §12(d)).
File online: Corporations Division filing
Registered agent: A Massachusetts LLC needs a resident agent: an individual who lives in Massachusetts, a Massachusetts corporation, or an out-of-state corporation authorized to do business in Massachusetts.
Out-of-state LLC registering here: $500 (Application for Registration as a Foreign Limited Liability Company (within 10 days after commencing business))

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

File it yourself or use a service

File directly with Massachusetts

$500 state fee

You fill in the Certificate of Organization yourself and pay only the state. You’ll need a registered agent with a Massachusetts street address; that can be you if you have one.

File with Corporations Division

Use a formation service

A service prepares and files the paperwork, and most can act as your registered agent and send compliance reminders. You still pay the state fee on top of their price, and the state still decides whether to accept your name.

Bizee: $0 plus the state fee (Basic); Standard $199, Premium $299, plus state fee
LegalZoom: $0 plus state fees (Basic); Managed Service $249 plus state fees
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 plus the state fee
ZenBusiness: $0 plus the state fee (Starter); Pro $199 plus state fee, renews $199/yr

We don’t currently earn commissions from these providers. Prices from each provider’s site on Oct 30, 2026. We never send them your proposed name. Compare what each includes · Disclosure

An EIN (federal tax ID) is free from the IRS; you don’t need to pay anyone for one.

Keeping a Massachusetts LLC in good standing

Annual Report: $500. Filed every year. Source: malegislature.gov

The $500 annual report fee is set by state law (M.G.L. c. 156C §12(d)). Out-of-state LLCs registered in Massachusetts also pay $500 for each annual report (§48).

Proof of status: Certificate of Good Standing (Secretary of the Commonwealth). Source: sec.state.ma.us

Assumed names (DBAs)

A DBA in Massachusetts is a 'business certificate', filed with the clerk of every city or town where the business has an office (M.G.L. c. 110 §5). It isn't filed with the state. Source: malegislature.gov

Good to know about Massachusetts

Massachusetts charges $500 to form an LLC and $500 for every annual report after that. Both amounts are fixed by statute. Source: malegislature.gov
An out-of-state LLC must register within 10 days after it starts doing business in Massachusetts, and pays $500 to register plus $500 for each annual report. Source: malegislature.gov
A DBA ('business certificate') is filed with the clerk of each city or town where you have an office, not with the state. Source: malegislature.gov
An LLC can use a name that is similar to an existing one if the existing entity's written consent is filed. Source: malegislature.gov
A name reservation lasts only 60 days, with one 60-day extension available on written request. Source: malegislature.gov

Sources and accuracy

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

Items we couldn’t confirm on an official page (6)

We couldn't confirm the filing fee for a business corporation's Articles of Organization on an official page. It is reported as $275 minimum for up to 275,000 shares.
We couldn't confirm the corporation annual report fee. It is reported as $125, or $100 if filed online.
We couldn't confirm the name reservation fee. It is reported as $30.
We couldn't confirm the fee for a Certificate of Good Standing. Reports give both $12 and $15.
We couldn't confirm the LLC annual report due date. The Division's regulation (950 CMR 112) is reported to set it at the anniversary of the original filing.
We couldn't confirm the search's ID number format or the status labels it uses.

See something wrong? Tell us. We can fix how we present information, but only Corporations Division can change an official record.