A business registry is an official government database where businesses must register to legally operate in a jurisdiction.
US Business Registries
In the United States, business registration is handled at the state level:
| Authority | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Secretary of State | Most states |
| Department of State | Some states (e.g., New York) |
| Division of Corporations | Some states (e.g., Delaware) |
| Department of Commerce | Some states |
Each state maintains its own registry with different:
- Data fields collected
- Search interfaces
- Update frequencies
- API availability
What Registries Contain
| Data Type | Typical Fields |
|---|---|
| Entity information | Legal name, entity type, formation date, status |
| Registered agent | Name, address for service of process |
| Officers/directors | Names, sometimes addresses |
| Filings | Annual reports, amendments, mergers |
| Good standing | Whether current on fees and filings |
International Registries
| Region | Examples |
|---|---|
| UK | Companies House |
| EU | National registries + BORIS interconnection |
| Canada | Provincial registries + Corporations Canada |
Business Registries and KYB
For KYB, business registries are the authoritative source for:
- Entity verification
- Operating status
- Officer/director information
- Jurisdictional presence
Registry data is essential ground truth for verification.
Related: Secretary of State | Entity Verification | Legal Entity