- Administratively dissolvedAdministratively dissolved means the state ended the company's active status because it missed a requirement, usually an annual report, a fee or tax, or keeping a registered agent.
- Annual reportAn annual report is a short yearly filing that keeps a company's address, agent and management details current with the state.
- Articles of organizationArticles of organization are the document you file with a state to create an LLC.
- Business entity numberA business entity number is the ID a state gives a company when it registers.
- Certificate of good standingA certificate of good standing is an official document from the state saying a company exists and is up to date on its state filings and fees.
- DBA (doing business as)A DBA ("doing business as") is a name a business uses that isn't its legal name.
- EINAn EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a nine-digit federal tax ID the IRS issues to businesses, written like 12-3456789.
- Foreign qualificationForeign qualification is registering a company formed in one state to do business in another state.
- Registered agentA registered agent is the person or company an LLC or corporation names to receive lawsuits and official state mail.
- UCC financing statementA UCC filing, usually a UCC-1 financing statement, is a public notice a lender files to show it has a claim on a borrower's business property, such as equipment, inventory or receivables.
Business Registration Glossary
The words states use on business searches and filings, in plain English. Each entry also shows what every state calls it.