Questions answered in this file

Where are business registrations kept?

Usually with a state agency such as the secretary of state, with assumed or trade names sometimes registered at county level.

Will a small local business appear in SEC filings?

Usually not. EDGAR mainly covers publicly traded companies and certain other registrants, not most small private businesses.

Does being listed as an officer mean someone ran the business?

Not necessarily. Some officers and agents are nominal, so confirm operational roles with other records.

Why record the entity number?

Business names change, but the registry's entity number usually stays the same, making it more reliable for tracing a company.

Can business records show who controlled a property?

They can help, alongside property and tax records, but confirm actual control and access with other evidence.