Business Records are the foundational fingerprints of any commercial entity, capturing everything from the legal name and formation date to the identity of the registered agent and the current filing status. When a user initiates a business records search, the system pulls data from state filing offices, county registrars, and federal databases to assemble a complete picture of the entity’s history. A business record lookup can reveal whether a corporation, LLC, partnership, or nonprofit remains active, when it was created, and which address serves as its principal office. By entering the business name, filing number, or registration ID, a visitor can quickly verify ownership, spot changes in management, and confirm the existence of assumed or trade names. This level of transparency aids investors, lenders, and everyday citizens alike, ensuring that decisions are based on reliable public information. It also supports due‑diligence tasks such as checking annual report filings, tracing amendment histories, and confirming the state of formation for compliance purposes. A business records by name query simplifies the task of confirming spelling variants and suffixes such as Inc or LLC. A direct business search by name yields the same results as a record lookup, but emphasizes the public search interface.
Business Records empower anyone who needs to conduct a business search by name, by owner, or by address, delivering precise data that fuels legal, financial, and research inquiries. To learn how to find a business by name, users simply input the legal name or any assumed DBA into the public portal, which then cross‑referenced the filing number and formation state. When the goal is to discover who holds the ownership stake, a business records by owner query or a business search by owner surfaces members, managers, corporate officers, and even the designated registered agent. For location‑based investigations, a business search by address returns all entities registered to a specific street, city, or zip code, while a business lookup by registration number pinpoints the exact filing document and its amendment trail. Practical tasks such as how to check if a business is active, how to view business filing documents, or how to verify a company’s registration status become straightforward steps within the same interface. By combining these approaches, researchers can compile a full profile that includes formation date, entity type, principal office, and current business status, all drawn from official public records.
How to Search Business Records
You can search business records through the Pierce County Auditor’s office and the Washington Secretary of State. Records may include business names, entity types, registration dates, status, and registered agents. For county-related information, visit pierce county wa archives. Search results depend on the filing office and the type of business registration.
Official Search Portal: https://www.piercecountywa.gov/93/Auditor
Steps to Search
- Open the Pierce County Auditor’s website through the official portal above.
- Select the appropriate search option, such as business name or filing number.
- Enter a full or partial name and submit your search.
- Review matching records, including entity type, status, and formation date.
- Open a record to review available filing history and business details.
Search by Business Name
Enter the full or partial legal business name to find matching records. If several results appear, narrow the search using the location, entity type, or registered agent.
Search by Business Owner
Search by an owner’s name when that person appears in available business filings. Results depend on the ownership information recorded by the relevant filing office.
Search by Address
Enter a street address, city, or ZIP code to find businesses associated with that location. Check the latest filing because some businesses may have moved without updating their records.
Search by Business ID or Filing Number
Enter the business identification number or filing number to locate a specific record. This method helps distinguish businesses with similar names.
Search by Registered Agent
Search by the registered agent’s name to identify businesses associated with that agent. Review the latest filing to confirm the current agent information.
Search by Entity Type
Filter records by entity type, such as corporations, LLCs, partnerships, or nonprofits. Combining this filter with a business name or status can narrow the results.
Search by Business Status
Search for businesses listed as active, inactive, dissolved, revoked, forfeited, or reinstated. Review the latest filings to understand the entity’s current status.
Business Record Information
Business records may include legal names, entity types, identification numbers, addresses, formation dates, and registered agents. These details help identify a business and review its recorded history.
| Field | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Legal Name | The official name on file with the state |
| Assumed Name | Any DBA or trade name the business uses |
| Entity Type | Corporation, LLC, partnership, and so on |
| Business ID | Unique number tied to the filing |
| Formation Date | The day the entity became active |
| Status | Current standing with the state |
| Principal Address | Main office or business location |
| Registered Agent | Person or company that receives legal mail |
Legal Business Name
The legal business name is the official name listed in formation documents and public filings. Name changes generally require an amendment, which may appear in the filing history.
Assumed or Trade Name
An assumed or trade name is used when a business operates under a name different from its legal name. The filing connects that name to the person or entity that owns it.
Business Entity Type
The entity type identifies the business structure, such as a corporation, LLC, partnership, or sole proprietorship. It also indicates which filing and reporting requirements may apply.
Business Identification Number
The business identification number is a unique identifier assigned to an entity. Use it to locate the correct record when multiple businesses have similar names.
Formation Date
The formation date shows when the business legally came into existence. Later name changes or address updates do not normally change the original formation date.
Business Status
The business status shows its recorded standing with the state. Check the latest filings to understand whether the entity is active, dissolved, revoked, or listed under another status.
Principal Business Address
The principal business address identifies the main office listed in the record. Compare it with newer filings to check for address changes.
Registered Agent Information
The registered agent receives legal documents and official notices for a business. The public record may show the agent’s name and address, including updates filed with the state.
Business Entity Types
Washington recognizes several business structures, each with different ownership arrangements and filing requirements. The record’s entity type helps identify how a business is organized.
| Entity Type | Key Trait |
|---|---|
| Corporation | Owned by shareholders and run by officers and directors |
| Limited Liability Company | Owned by members and run by members or managers |
| Limited Partnership | Has general partners who manage the business and limited partners who invest |
| Sole Proprietorship | Owned and run by one person with no separate legal entity |
| Nonprofit Organization | Operates for a charitable or public purpose under 501(c) rules |
| Professional Entity | Formed by licensed professionals such as doctors or lawyers |
| Foreign Entity | A business formed in another state that registers to operate in Washington |
Corporations
A corporation is owned by shareholders and managed by directors and officers. Its records may include articles of incorporation, annual reports, and amendments.
Limited Liability Companies
A limited liability company, or LLC, is owned by members and managed by members or appointed managers. Its filings may include a certificate of formation and annual reports.
Partnerships
A partnership is owned by two or more people who share profits and responsibilities. General and limited partnerships differ in their management roles and liability arrangements.
Sole Proprietorships
A sole proprietorship is owned and operated by one person without a separate legal entity. The owner may register an assumed business name if operating under a different name.
Nonprofit Organizations
A nonprofit operates for charitable, educational, religious, or other public purposes. Its records may include formation documents, bylaws, and annual reports.
Professional Entities
Professional entities are formed by licensed professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, or accountants. Depending on the structure, they may register as professional corporations or professional LLCs.
Foreign Business Entities
A foreign business entity is formed outside Washington but registers to operate in the state. Its records may show its home state, Washington registration, and registered agent.
Business Ownership and Management
Business records may identify owners, members, managers, officers, directors, partners, and registered agents. These details help explain who owns or manages the entity, depending on the information required in its filings.
Business Owners
Business owners hold an interest in an entity as shareholders, members, or partners. Available filings may identify owners, but they do not always provide complete ownership percentages.
Members and Managers
Members own an LLC, while managers may oversee its operations. The record may identify the members or managers listed in the latest filing.
Corporate Officers
Corporate officers hold positions such as president, secretary, or treasurer and manage daily operations under the board’s direction. Their names and titles may appear in corporate filings.
Directors
Directors oversee a corporation and make major decisions, including appointing officers and approving significant transactions. Available filings may identify the directors on record.
Partners
Partners own a partnership and may share management duties, profits, and liabilities. General and limited partners have different roles, as shown in the partnership’s governing structure.
Registered Agents
Registered agents receive legal documents and official notices for a business. Their recorded name and address help identify the designated contact for service of process.
Ownership and Management Changes
Changes may occur when owners transfer interests, officers resign, or directors are replaced. Amendments and updated reports may document these changes in the filing history.
Business Registration Information
Business registration records show when and where an entity was formed and how its registration has changed. They may include formation dates, identification numbers, status, and foreign registration details.
| Field | What It Shows |
|---|---|
| Formation Date | Date the entity was formed |
| Registration Number | Unique ID assigned by the state |
| Entity Status | Current standing with the state |
| State of Formation | State where the business was formed |
| Foreign Registration | Out-of-state business registered in Washington |
| Registration Updates | Amendments, annual reports, and reinstatements |
Formation Records
Formation records establish a business as a legal entity. Depending on the structure, they may include articles of incorporation, a certificate of formation, or partnership documents.
Registration Date
The registration date shows when the state accepted the formation documents. It helps establish the business’s age and may appear alongside later filing dates.
Entity Status
Entity status indicates the business’s recorded standing. Active, delinquent, dissolved, and reinstated are examples of statuses that may appear, depending on the entity and filing system.
State of Formation
The state of formation identifies where the business originally registered. A business formed in Washington is generally domestic, while one formed elsewhere may register as a foreign entity.
Registration Number
The registration number uniquely identifies a business in the relevant state database. Searching by this number helps avoid confusion between similarly named entities.
Foreign Entity Registration
Foreign entity registration allows an out-of-state business to register to operate in Washington. Records may include its home state, Washington registered agent, and registration status.
Business Registration Updates
Registration updates record changes to business names, addresses, agents, and other filing details. Annual reports and reinstatement documents may also appear in the history.
Assumed Name and DBA Records
Assumed name and DBA records connect a business’s trade name with its legal owner. Filing requirements depend on the business structure and applicable Washington rules.
Assumed Business Names
An assumed business name differs from the owner’s legal business name. Registering it identifies the person or entity operating under that name.
DBA Records
DBA means “doing business as.” These records show the assumed name and its associated legal owner, helping the public identify the entity behind a brand.
Trade Names
A trade name is another term for an assumed business name or DBA. It allows a business to use a public-facing name different from its legal name.
Assumed Name Registration
Assumed name registration places a business name in the public record. Filing requirements and renewal rules depend on the entity type and applicable regulations.
Assumed Name Owners
The assumed name owner is the person or legal entity associated with the registration. Reviewing the record can help identify who operates under a particular trade name.
Assumed Name Status
The status indicates whether an assumed name is active, expired, or withdrawn, where those categories are used. Check the latest record to confirm its current standing.
Business Filing Records
Business filing records document changes throughout an entity’s existence. They may include formation documents, amendments, annual reports, mergers, dissolutions, and reinstatements.
- Articles of incorporation and certificates of formation establish legal entities.
- Amendments update names, addresses, agents, and other recorded details.
- Annual reports help maintain current business information.
- Mergers, conversions, dissolutions, and reinstatements document major changes.
Formation Documents
Formation documents establish the original business entity and may list its legal name, registered agent, and principal address. The relevant state filing office maintains these records.
Amendments
Amendments update information on an existing business record, including names, addresses, or management details. The filing history may show when each change was recorded.
Annual Reports
Annual reports update business information required by the state. Missing required reports or fees may affect an entity’s recorded status.
Statements of Information
Statements of information provide updated details about a business, such as its address and management contacts. The filing name and requirements vary by jurisdiction.
Mergers and Conversions
A merger combines entities, while a conversion changes a business from one legal structure to another. Related filings may identify the entities involved and the effective date.
Dissolution Records
Dissolution records document the legal end of a business. They may show the effective date and whether the dissolution was voluntary or administrative.
Reinstatement Records
Reinstatement records document a business’s return to active status after dissolution or revocation. They may include the reinstatement date and related filings.
Business Status and History
Business status shows an entity’s current recorded standing, while its filing history documents earlier changes. Reviewing both can help establish whether the business is current with its filing requirements.
- Active status means the business is recorded as current under applicable requirements.
- Inactive status may indicate that the business has stopped operating or is no longer current.
- Dissolved status indicates that the entity’s legal existence has ended.
- Revoked or forfeited status may reflect non-compliance with filing requirements.
- Reinstated status indicates that the business has returned to an eligible status after a lapse.
Active Businesses
An active business is recorded as current in the relevant database. Review its latest filings to confirm its status and available registration details.
Inactive Businesses
An inactive business may have stopped operating or failed to maintain required filings. Check the record for status details and any later updates.
Dissolved Businesses
A dissolved business has formally ended its legal existence. Its public record may still contain formation documents and earlier filing history.
Revoked or Forfeited Entities
A revoked or forfeited entity may have lost its standing because of missing filings or unpaid fees. Review the record for any subsequent reinstatement.
Reinstated Businesses
A reinstated business has returned to an eligible status following a previous dissolution or revocation. Check the latest filing for its current status and reinstatement date.
Business Status History
Business status history shows recorded changes over time, including formation, dissolution, and reinstatement. Reviewing these entries helps clarify the entity’s filing timeline.
Business Address and Contact Information
Business records may include the principal office, mailing address, registered office, and registered agent address. Some records also contain phone numbers, email addresses, or other contact details.
Principal Office Address
The principal office address identifies the main business office listed in its filings. Check recent reports or amendments for updates.
Mailing Address
The mailing address is used for correspondence and may differ from the principal office. Confirm the latest recorded address before sending documents.
Registered Office
The registered office is the physical address associated with the registered agent in Washington. It is used for receiving legal documents and official notices.
Business Location
The business location identifies a site associated with its operations, such as an office or store. Available records may help identify businesses linked to a particular address.
Contact Details
Contact details may include business phone numbers, email addresses, and websites when provided. Check official records and the business’s own sources for current information.
Address Changes
Address changes may be documented through amendments or annual reports. The filing history can help identify when a new address was recorded.
Business Records and Public Access
Business records may be available through the Washington Secretary of State, the Pierce County Auditor, or other relevant offices, depending on the record type. Access options can include online searches, document copies, and certified records.
- Online portals allow searches by business name and other available fields.
- Public filing documents may include formation papers, amendments, and annual reports.
- Records available by request may include certified copies and historical documents.
- Restricted information is withheld where privacy laws or regulations require it.
Publicly Available Business Records
Public business records may show legal names, entity types, formation dates, status, and registered agent details. Use the relevant official database to check what information is available.
Online Business Records
Online records are available through the Pierce County Auditor’s portal and the Washington Secretary of State’s website, depending on the record type. You can also cross-reference business details through phone lookup. Availability and downloadable documents vary by system.
Public Filing Documents
Public filing documents may include formation papers, amendments, annual reports, mergers, and dissolution records. Reviewing these documents helps verify the details shown in a business record.
Records Available by Request
Some records, including certified copies and historical documents, may require a request to the relevant office. Fees, processing times, and available formats depend on the document and agency.
Restricted Business Data
Certain personal or confidential details may be withheld from public records under applicable law. Access to restricted information depends on the legal requirements and the agency’s authorization rules.
Certified Business Records
Certified business records are copies authenticated by the issuing agency. They may be requested through the relevant office, subject to its fees, procedures, and processing times.
Search Problems
Business searches may return missing records, similar names, or outdated details. The following issues can help explain why a result may not appear as expected.
- The business was formed elsewhere and has not registered in Washington.
- The search name differs from the business’s legal name.
- A recent filing has not yet appeared in the public index.
- The business changed its name.
- The latest annual report or status update has not been processed.
- An address change has not yet been recorded.
Business Not Found
A missing result may stem from a spelling error, an unregistered business, or a filing in another state. Try a partial name, registration number, or registered agent search, and check the appropriate state’s database if needed.
Similar Business Names
Similar names can produce several matching records. Narrow the results using the entity type, location, registered agent, or registration number.
Incorrect Business Data
Incorrect information may reflect a processing delay or an error in a filing. Review the latest documents and contact the relevant filing office if the public record needs correction.
Outdated Business Records
Records may be outdated when recent changes have not been filed or processed. Check the latest filing date and status before relying on the information.
Recently Formed Businesses
Recently formed businesses may not appear immediately while filings are processed or indexed. Check again later or contact the relevant office to confirm the filing status.
Recently Dissolved Businesses
A dissolved status may take time to appear after the filing is submitted. Review the latest document and its effective date to confirm the recorded dissolution.
Missing Filing Records
A filing may be missing because it is still being processed, was rejected, or has not been scanned. Contact the Auditor’s office or Secretary of State to confirm whether the document is on file.
Contact Details
You can reach the Pierce County Auditor’s office by phone or in person for questions about business records, licensing, and recorded documents. The office keeps public business filings, processes new filings, and issues certified copies of records on file. The phone line is open during regular business hours, and the office is located in Tacoma, Washington. Use the contact details below to reach the office for help with your business record search.
| Contact Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Department | Pierce County Auditor |
| Phone | 253-798-7427 |
| Not published | |
| Address | 2401 S. 35th St., Room 200, Tacoma, WA 98409 |
| Official Website | https://www.piercecountywa.gov/93/Auditor |
| Records Service | Recorded Documents and Licensing |
Frequently Asked Questions
Finding reliable business records helps you verify ownership, confirm a company’s status, and locate contact details. The Pierce County Auditor office keeps filings for corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and assumed names. Accessing this data lets you see the legal name, type of entity, registration date, and current standing. Whether you need to confirm an address, track a filing number, or identify a registered agent, the online search tools simplify the work. Use the steps below to get accurate information quickly and avoid costly mistakes.
How can I search business records by name in Pierce County?
Open the Auditor’s online portal and select the business name search field. Type the exact legal name or a partial match, then click Search. The results list each record that matches the input, showing entity type, registration date, and status. Click a record to view details such as the principal office address and registered agent. If the name returns too many matches, add more characters or include the assumed name to narrow the list.
What steps let me find a business’s registered agent using the auditor’s database?
After locating the desired business record, look for the section labeled Registered Agent. The name and mailing address appear beside the entity information. Write down the details or print the page for reference. If the agent field is blank, the business may have not filed an updated agent record; contact the Auditor office to request the latest filing.
How do I check if a business is active or dissolved with the public records search?
During the name search, each entry includes a status column. Active status means the entity can conduct business, while Dissolved, Revoked, or Suspended indicates a stopped or limited operation. To confirm, open the record and scroll to the status line near the top. The date of the last status change also appears, helping you understand when the change occurred.
Where can I look up a business’s filing number or formation date online?
Once you have the business record open, the filing number appears at the top of the summary box. Directly below, the formation date shows when the entity was first registered with the county. Both pieces of information are part of the standard report and can be copied or printed for your files.
Why might a business record not appear in the search and how can I fix it?
A record may be missing if the name was entered with a typo, if the business uses an assumed name, or if the filing is newer than the last database update. Try spelling variations, add “LLC” or “Inc.”, and search using the assumed name field. If the record still does not appear, call the Auditor’s office at 253‑798‑7427 for assistance or request a manual lookup.