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Wisconsin Business Entity Search

In Wisconsin, business entity records are kept by the Department of Financial Institutions, not the Secretary of State. Its Corporate Records search has a basic box and an Advanced Search. Searching and viewing details worked without a login, payment or CAPTCHA in our review.

Official agency: Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate and Consumer Services

Open Official Government SearchOpens apps.dfi.wi.gov in a new tab. This is the official government site, not EntityLocator.

Direct links on the official site

Search methods offered

  • Basic searchOne search box with a Search Records button, plus links for Advanced Search, Name Availability and Search Tips. We didn’t test entering an entity ID in the basic box.
  • Find Records matchingWith the exact phrase, Using all of the words, or That start with these words.
  • In Names OfEntities or Registered Agents.
  • Entity StatusIn Existence and No Longer in Existence; In Existence; or No Longer in Existence.
  • Entity NamesCurrent Names; Current Names and Old Names; or Old Names.
  • Registration DateA range between two dates.
  • Entity TypeAbout 25 checkboxes, numbered by code, from Domestic Business and Foreign Business Corporation to Domestic and Foreign LLC, limited partnerships, LLPs, cooperatives, trusts, Foreign Registered Name and Name Reservation types.

How to search

  1. Open the Wisconsin Corporate Records search using the button above.
  2. Enter the business name without an ending such as LLC or Corp, then select Search Records. The official search tips recommend starting this way.
  3. If results are too broad, add distinctive words. If they are too narrow, check the spelling and remove words.
  4. Use Advanced Search for exact-phrase, all-words or starts-with matching, registered agent names, current or old names, status groups, entity types or registration dates.
  5. Select the entity name or ID in the results.
  6. Review the Vital Statistics, addresses, annual report history, old names and chronology.
  7. Order a certificate or document copy only if you need one. Those are separate links on the record.

What you can expect to find

  • Results show the ID, Entity Name/Type, Registered Effective Date, and Status/Status Date.
  • A detail page can show the Entity ID, Registered Effective Date, Period of Existence, Status, Status Date, Entity Type, Annual Report Requirements, Registered Agent Office and Principal Office. It also has annual report history, a history of certificates of newly elected officers and directors, old names and a chronology with effective and processed dates and transaction descriptions.
  • Registered Effective Date is the domestic creation date, or the date a foreign entity was licensed in Wisconsin. For a foreign entity it is not necessarily its original formation date.
  • Official status labels, paraphrased: Delinquent (DLQ) means annual report filings aren’t current. Restored to Good Standing (IGS) means it was delinquent or in bad standing and is now current. Incorporated/Qualified/Registered (INC) means domestic formation or foreign licensing with reports current. Organized (ORG) means a domestic entity was created with no termination filing. Administratively Dissolved (ADS) means involuntary administrative dissolution. Merged/Acquired (MGD) means it was the nonsurviving entity in a merger. Revocation/Termination of Certificate/Registration (RCA) means a foreign entity’s license was revoked or terminated. Terminated (TER) means a filing ended its existence.
  • The department says status describes an entity’s condition under its governing statute. It does not describe financial health, stability or business practices.

Limitations, fees and notices

  • Searching and viewing details are free. The ordering system lists paid products: a Certificate of Status is $10 hard copy only, $10 email only or $20 for both. Certified copies of articles, a single-year annual report or a specific document are $10, and ordinary copies of the same are $5. A $25 expedite is listed for certificate and copy work. Email and payment details are needed to order, and an account is optional.
  • The $25 expedite for certificates and copies is different from the $100 expedited transaction fee the FAQ discusses for filings. Confirm which service applies before you quote a total. We did not test checkout for surcharges.
  • The search does not provide FEIN, domestic LLC member names, telephone numbers, sole proprietors, DBAs or trade names, ownership information, or general partnerships unless a voluntary Statement of Partnership Authority was filed. Tax and trademark information come from separate sources.
  • The search tips warn that broad searches may omit matches, and that registered agent searches cover only current names and may not be exhaustive because of name variations.
  • For entities dissolved, merged or withdrawn before July 1, 2001, the department says to contact it for guidance.
  • The FAQ says not to assume a name is available until the department accepts the formation filing or name change in writing. The separate Name Availability tool was not inspected.

Sources and research notes

Sources reviewed: . Official sites change; always confirm current details on the government site.

Research for this guide used the official Wisconsin sites in a web browser. An advanced search and one corporation record were tested. The basic box was not tested with an entity ID.

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