What business registries are, how they work across jurisdictions, and their role in KYB verification.
A business registry is an official government database where businesses must register to legally operate in a jurisdiction.
In the United States, business registration is handled at the state level:
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:
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
UK: Companies House
EU: National registries + BORIS interconnection
Canada: Provincial registries + Corporations Canada
For KYB, business registries are the authoritative source for:
Registry data is essential ground truth for verification.
Related: Secretary of State | Entity Verification | Legal Entity