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How To Search Alaska Business Entities

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How To Search Alaska Business Entities
How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Alaska?
Why Conduct a Alaska Entity Search?
Who Holds Data for Alaska Business Entity Search?
What Entities Can You Register in Alaska?
How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Alaska?
How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Alaska?
How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Alaska?
Additional Information Available on the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development's Website
FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Alaska

Over 8,000 new business applications are received in Alaska yearly. Small businesses account for the bulk of businesses registered in the state at over 90%. These businesses are incorporated as sole proprietorships, general partnerships, LPs, LLPs, LLCs, and corporations. The Division of Corporations, Business, and Professional Licensing under the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (CBPL) provides the best option to access business entity licenses in Alaska.

Accessing business entity information in Alaska is important. It confirms the legal status of businesses, ensuring that they are properly registered and authorized to operate in the state. Access to Alaska business entity records also helps in identifying parties responsible for the business entity, thereby promoting transparency and trust in business dealings.

Choose Your Search Criteria

The web tool provides different search criteria to access business entity records, including:

License Number
Use the license number assigned to the business entity at registration to access the record
Business Name
The full or partial business name may be used to look up business entity information
Owner Entity Name
The full name of the business owner may be used to access the entity’s record
Owner First Name
Business entity records search permits accessing the records using the owner’s first name only
Owner Last Name
Use the owner’s last name to look up registered business entity information

Review Search Results

The result displays information on the license number, the full business name, the owner’s name, the business status, and the city the business entity operates.

Access Detailed Information

Accessing detailed business entity information requires searchers to click on the business license number in the results. The available information includes:

License Number – Displays the seven-digit number assigned to the business entity at registration.
Business Name – The name under which the business operates.
Status – The current legal status of the business (e.g., Active, Inactivated, Voluntarily Canceled, or Expired).
Principal Address – The physical address of the business.
Mailing Address – The business entity’s mailing address.
Place of Formation – The county where the business was incorporated.
Issue and Expiration Date – The registration date and the expiration date of the business license.
License Lapse – Lists any periods where the business license expired before being renewed.

Further Assistance

The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development can provide direct assistance should you need help during the search process.

How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Alaska?

Online public search engines may provide access to information on business owners in Alaska. However, these public search tools offer basic information and may not provide detailed information on the ownership structure of the business. The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development web page provides comprehensive information on business entity owners. The steps outlined can help individuals seeking information about business entity owners obtain the necessary details.

Additional Resources for Business Ownership in Alaska

Additionally, persons seeking information on the owners of business entities in Alaska may utilize the following resources:

Alaska Boroughs
Many Alaska businesses register with their local borough offices. Contact the appropriate Alaska borough or city clerk's office to access business entity owners’ records.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
The BBB reviews businesses across the United States, including Alaska, and may provide information on business owners in the state. Visit BBB
Public Libraries
Many public libraries keep business directories that provide comprehensive details about local businesses and their owners
Other Public Records
Tax records, court records, real estate records, and business license records may provide information on the identity of Alaska business entities

Why Conduct an Alaska Entity Search?

Alaska entity search provides valuable insights to businesses, investors, researchers, and legal professionals.

From providing access to publicly available records of registered businesses to enabling informed decisions, conducting an Alaska entity search equips individuals and organizations with valuable information to make accurate decisions.

Generally, Alaska entity search is used to:

Conduct due diligence
Ensure compliance
Verify legal status
Identify owners or registered agents
Research competitors
Resolve legal or financial matters

Consumer Trust + Due Diligence

Conducting an Alaska entity search helps build customers' trust. Ensuring the business is registered and in good legal standing with state laws. This builds consumer trust, reassuring them they are dealing with a legitimate entity.

Investor Research

Conducting an Alaska entity research can help inform investors of the status of a business, whether active, canceled, or expired. Furthermore, entity search provides access to the business structure and leadership, helping investors assess whether the business goals align with their investment goals.

Supplier Verification

Verifying your supplier's credentials is essential to ensure business operations continue smoothly. Conducting an entity search helps confirm suppliers’ credentials, which helps assure that the business is authorized to provide the services listed on their entity records search. In addition, knowing the owners of a supplier company ensures there is someone to answer for any supply errors.

Fraud Prevention

Business entity searches help protect consumers, businesses, and investors by preventing fraud. Incomplete entity records, inactive business status, unknown registered agents, or inconsistent fillings found on entity record searches serve as red flags to avoid impersonation or potential scams.

Who Holds Data for Alaska Business Entity Search?

The following agencies may provide information regarding Alaska business entities:

What Entities Can You Register in Alaska?

You can register the following business entities in Alaska:

Corporations

Corporations are legal entities distinct from their owners, also called shareholders. They are structured to attract investors. There are two types of Corporations in Alaska:

C Corporation:
Can have unlimited shareholders and raise capital through stock offerings. They are separate legal entities from their owners, which offers limited liability protections. C Corporations are taxed separately from their owners.
S Corporation:
Permit profit and losses to pass through to shareholders. Therefore, the business is not taxed, eliminating double taxation. S Corporations have a limited number of shareholders.

Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)

LLCs combine elements of corporations and partnerships. They are separate legal entities from their members and offer limited liability protections, shielding members’ assets from business debts.

Limited Partnerships (LPs)

LPs in Alaska consist of at least one general partner and one limited partner. Limited partners contribute capital and have liability limited to their investment. General partners manage the business and have unlimited liability.

Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)

In LLPs, partners enjoy limited personal liability. They are generally protected from responsibility for business debts. The business itself is not taxed — profits and losses pass through to the partners' personal tax returns.

General Partnerships (GPs)

GPs are owned by two or more individuals and are not separate legal entities. Partners manage and operate the business directly and are personally liable for its debts and obligations.

Sole Proprietorship

Sole proprietorships are extensions of the owner and not separate legal entities. The owner receives all profits but is also personally responsible for any losses or debts. Separate income tax returns are not required.

Nonprofit Corporations

Nonprofit Corporations are created to serve charitable, scientific, religious, educational, or cultural purposes rather than for profit. They support specific causes and are tax-exempt entities.

Doing Business As (DBA)

A DBA allows a business to operate under a different name than its legal one. This is often used when a company wants to transact under a brand name distinct from its registered name.

How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Alaska?

Choosing a business entity name in Alaska requires compliance with state laws. Entities that desire to incorporate businesses in Alaska may check if the desired business name is currently in use. Ideally, using the Search Business Licenses web tool may provide insight into the availability of a business name.

Additionally, you may utilize other databases to check if your preferred business name is currently taken. Some of these resources include:

United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
ICANN Registration Data Lookup tool for domain name searches
USPTO Trademark Search

How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Alaska?

Types of Business Entities in Alaska

Setting up a business entity in Alaska is a thorough process to ensure the business is legally compliant. It begins with identifying the type of business you want to set up and choosing the most suitable legal structure that best suits the business. Generally, the common options for business legal structure include:

Sole Proprietorship
Low entry cost but has no liability protection for its owners
Partnerships
Ideal for businesses with two or more owners sharing responsibilities
LLCs
Offers liability protection and tax flexibility. Ideal for small and medium-scale businesses
Corporations
Ideal for businesses planning to issue stock or attract investors
Nonprofit Organizations
Best suited for entities focused on charitable, educational, or religious deeds
Foreign Entities
Used by corporations established outside Alaska but intending to conduct business in the state

Persons setting up a business entity may take the following steps to legalize their entities:

Identify the business type and choose the legal structure.
Choose a name. The state allows you to reserve a business name by filing a Business Name Reservation up to 120 days before registering the business entity.
Select your registered agent for corporations, LLCs, LPs, and LLPs.
Register the business entity with the Alaska Corporations by filing the Articles of Incorporation.
Obtain professional licensing for businesses operating in regulated professions.
Apply for a business license from the Alaska Business Section.
Register a business tax account with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Get an Employer Identification Number for the IRS.

How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Alaska?

Business Registration Fees in Alaska

The cost to establish a business in Alaska varies based on the type of entity. Generally, the following fees apply to registering a business entity in the state:

Business Corporations
Domestic – $250
Foreign – $350
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Domestic – $250
Foreign – $350
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Domestic and Foreign – $150
Limited Partnership (LP)
Domestic and Foreign – $150
Nonprofit Corporations
Domestic and Foreign – $50
Professional Corporations
$250
Business Name Reservation
$25 for both paper and online submissions
Biennial Report – Domestic Corporations
$100 every two years
Biennial Report – Foreign Entities
$200 every two years
Biennial Report – Nonprofits (Domestic & Foreign)
$25 every two years

In Alaska, business entities are required to have their business entity name approved before formal registration. Reserving a business name costs $25 for paper applications and online submissions. In addition, corporations, LLCs, LLPs, professional corporations, and nonprofits may file a biennial report every two years to avoid non-compliance. It costs $100 for domestic corporations and $200 for foreign entities to file a biennial report. However, domestic and foreign nonprofits may file biennial reports for $25.

Additional Information Available on the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development's Website

Generally, the CBPL provides the following services, including:

Corporations Section:
Contains information on how corporations can get licensed, file a biennial and initial report online, search corporation database and trademarks, and corporation forms and fees
Business Licensing:
File a new business license or renew business licenses online, search business license records, business license forms and fees, and payment and refund policy
Professional Licensing:
Obtain license verification, a list of professions requiring professional licensing, and contact information
Foreign Corporations:
Contains information on foreign corporations qualified to operate and how to register a foreign corporation in Alaska
Investigations:
Investigations relating to business licenses, endorsements, and professionals, investigative process, and consumer protection information

FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Alaska

To help with Alaska business entity searches, here are answers to frequently asked questions.

Why would I need to search for a business entity in Alaska?
You may need to search for a business entity in Alaska to ensure the business is properly registered and in good standing with Alaska regulations.
What types of entities can I search for in Alaska?
You may search for LPs, LLPs, LLCs, Corporations, nonprofits, GPs, and professional corporations.
Where can I perform a business entity search in Alaska?
Utilize the Search Business Licenses web page to perform a business entity search in Alaska.
What information do I need to conduct an entity search in Alaska?
You need the license number, business name, owner entity name, owner last name, city, or owner first name to conduct a business license search in Alaska.
How do I find the official name of an Alaska business?
You can find the name of an Alaska business using the Search Business Licenses database.
Can I search for foreign entities in Alaska?
Yes. The online search tool provided by the CBPL provides information on foreign entities registered outside Alaska but operating in Alaska.
What information can I find in the Alaska entity search?
You can find information on the license number, business name, owner's name, city where the business operates, business status, issue date, and expiration date. You can also access telemedicine status, physical and mailing address, endorsements, line of business, and license lapse information on an Alaska entity search.
How do I verify if an Alaska business is in good standing?
You can verify if an Alaska business is in good standing using the Search Business Licenses web tool. The platform provides the current status of all registered businesses.
Can I search for an entity in Alaska by its owner's name?
Yes. The Search Business Licenses permit searches using the entity’s owner's name.
How often is the Alaska business entity database updated?
The CBPL regularly updates its database as soon as new businesses are registered.
Can I obtain copies of business filings in Alaska?
Yes, Copies of business filings are accessible for free via the CBPL website. You can also request a Certificate copy of the business license for a fee.
How do I find out who the registered agent of an Alaska business is?
You can access information on the registered agents of an Alaska business entity through the Search Business Licenses web page.
How can I search for Alaska businesses by their tax ID number?
There is no provision to search for Alaska businesses using their tax ID number on the CBPL website.
What should I do if I can’t find a business entity in the Alaska search?
Ensure that you have the right business entity information. You may also try different search variations, such as using part of the name. Check for misspellings or alternative spellings. Also, check the Alaska State Archives for older business entity records.