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Commercial Recordings - Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any restricted words that cannot be used in an entities name or purpose without prior authorization?
There are certain words that require prior authorization by the appropriate regulatory authority for use in the name and/or purpose of any organizational document or amendment filed with the Secretary of State. Prior authorization is required regardless if the word stands alone or if the word is "part" of a word. Failure to receive and provide proof of authorization will result in the rejection of the document. Please click here to be taken to the restricted word list.

Can I file organizational documents for a new entity online?
No, currently articles of incorporation or organization cannot be filed online. Please check back often as we are regularly updating the online services we provide.

Can I file my Initial, Annual or Amended List online?
Yes, these lists may be filed online. Go to https://esos.state.nv.us/corps/, select "File List of Officer" and follow the prompts.

How do I set up an account to file a document online?
Instructions for setting up accounts and using the online services may be found by going to https://esos.state.nv.us/corps/ and selecting "Web Users Guide (PDF.)" This guide will provide you with information necessary to utilize our online services.

Why have I not received documents filed or the certificates I have ordered online?
Documents and certificates ordered or processed online are available in your job history folder a few minutes after checkout. Log back into the system and click on the "Job History" box. Select the appropriate job number and you will find your documents.

To whom do I make out my check?
When submitting your documents directly to the Secretary of State, please make out checks to: Secretary of State. When submitting through a Registered Agent, please check with that Registered Agent.

What are some of the reasons filings are rejected?
Filings are rejected for many reasons including, but not limited to the following:

  • Name not available
  • Document was not signed
  • Insufficient fees for filing
  • Statutory requirements not included
  • Document is illegible
  • Document in such poor condition that cannot be scanned
  • Credit card declined
  • Entity not in good standing or not on file with this office
  • Required documents not included

Can I search a trademark, trade name or service mark online?
Yes, go to the business entity search page, enter the name of the mark and search by entity name. The results should bring up any trademark on file, along with the business entities with that name.

Do I get my original documents back upon processing or if rejected?
No, documents are scanned into our processing system at the time of receipt and the scanned documents become the official record. Original documents are destroyed once the scanned images are archived. If rejected, new documents must be resubmitted.

Do you offer expedited services?
Yes, for an additional fee you may have your documents processed and orders filled on an expedited basis. We offer 1-hour, 2-hour and 24-hour expedited service on most processes in the office. We also offer 4-hour service on certain copy orders. Please see the fee schedules for additional information.

Where can I get answers to tax questions?
Contact the IRS for federal tax information, or the Nevada Department of Taxation for any question regarding state sales and use taxes. Contact the Secretary of State or click here for information regarding the State Business License.

How do I obtain a "Certificate of Good Standing?"

To order online:
Go to https://esos.state.nv.us/corps/ and select "Good Standing Certificates"

To order by mail:
Send a letter with the name of the entity for which you are requesting the certificate, along with a check, money order, or credit card authorization for $50.00 made payable to "Secretary of State" to:

Secretary of State Ross Miller
204 North Carson Street, Suite 2
Carson City, Nevada 89701-4299

To order via email:
Send a detailed request, along with credit card information, to copies@sos.nv.gov.

To order via fax (Expedited Order Only):
Fax a detailed request, along with credit card information to 775-684-5645.

To order by phone:
Contact the Secretary of State's Customer Service Division at (775) 684-5708.

The Secretary of State's office accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover Card for all payments. Please note: For security and verification purposes, all credit card payments must include the 3 or 4-digit CVV2 code (VCode) number located on the back of your credit card. Failure to include this code will result in rejection of your filing or service request.

How can I view sample Certificates of Good Standing?
Go to: http://secretaryofstate.biz//business/comm_rec/samples.asp.

How do I verify an electronic Certificate of Good Standing?
Go to: https://esos.state.nv.us/corps/ and select "Verify Good Standing Certificates"

How do I reinstate a revoked entity?
Information on how to reinstate a revoked entity may be obtained by contacting the Secretary of State's Customer Service Division at 775-684-5708.

How do I file an Assumed Name or DBA (Doing Business As)?
DBA's are filed at the county level, not with the Secretary of State. Please contact the clerk or recorder's office in the county where you wish to file.

How do I check name availability?
The Secretary of State does NOT provide a name availability service. You can check name availability by:

  • Requesting a name be reserved by submitting a completed name reservation form, along with the filing fee of $25.00. You may expedite your name reservation by including an additional $25.00. Be sure to request "expedited service" in your cover letter.
  • Going to the Secretary of State website's Business Entities Search page. You may also reserve a name on our website by going to https://esos.state.nv.us/corps/ and clicking on "Name Reservations."
  • Submitting your Articles of Incorporation via mail, along with the appropriate fee and up to three alternate name choices. The Secretary of State's office will check the availability of your first choice at the time of filing. If your first choice is unavailable, we will check your alternate name(s) for availability. The Secretary of State's office will notify you which, if any, of the names were available at the time the office received your request.

How can I obtain information on the status of a particular entity?
Status information can be obtained, free of charge, on the Secretary of State website's Business Entities Search page. You can also call the Secretary of State's Customer Service Division at 775-684-5708.

How can I find information about an old stock certificate?
The Secretary of State's office does NOT have information about old stock certificates on file. However, you can request that a search for information on the company that issued the certificate be initiated by the Secretary of State's office. To do so, send a request letter to:

Secretary of State Ross Miller
204 North Carson Street, Suite 2
Carson City, Nevada 89701-4299

Be sure to include a copy of the certificate in question and a check or money order in the amount of $50 made payable to "Secretary of State."

How can I obtain the forms to file my Articles of Incorporation, or any other Commercial Recordings documents?
You can download the forms from the Corporate Forms page. You can also send your request via Fax from our Documents on Demand Service at 800-583-9486, or you can request the forms by mail.

How can I view the current officers, managers, etc., of a corporation or other entity?
You may view officers of a corporation on the Business Entities Search page.

What if I do not receive my documents or copies?
A customer that has not received their filing documents or copy order must notify the Secretary of State's office within 60 days of original order, otherwise, the customer must order replacement copies and certificates. Please see our fee schedule at www.nvsos.gov.

How do I request a refund of an overpayment?
If the account hosts a credit of $15.00 or more, a written request for the refund must be made within one year of payment pursuant to NRS 353.115. Amounts not used or refunded within one year are not available for use or refund. Written requests may be submitted via fax at 775-684-5630 or sent to

Secretary of State
Attn: Sherry Valdez
204 North Carson Street
Carson City, Nevada 89701-4201

Please include in the written request any relevant information, such as amount of refund, check number and/or name, or job number.

Can I get the colored charters and certificates that were offered in the past?
The Commercial Recordings Division is once again offering ceremonial charters and certificates of good standing. The charters or certificates, printed on the Secretary of State’s unique, colored charter paper, are suitable for framing.

Ceremonial charters and certificates may be ordered through our Copies Division via e-mail or fax, or through our Customer Service Division. The cost for each ceremonial charter or certificate is $100.

Ceremonial charters and certificates may also be ordered at the time formation documents are processed. Customers must indicate on their order instructions the number of ceremonial charters or certificates they wish to purchase, accompanied by $100 for each requested.

Click Here for more information on Ceremonial Charters and Good Standings Certificates.

How can I obtain a copy of a business entity record on file with the Secretary of State?
BASIC COPY ORDER INSTRUCTIONS:

1. All orders may be submitted in writing, with fees enclosed, to the above address, via email at copies@sos.nv.gov or by telephone with payment by VISA, Mastercard, Discover or American Express (please include the expiration date and v-code on the back of the card) or with a Trust account. Telephone orders may be called into our Customer Service Department at (775) 684-5708. Trust account and credit card customers may fax expedite orders only to (775) 684-5645. Trust account orders must be received on company letterhead.

2. All orders not specified as a pick-up are mailed out via first-class mail, unless a Federal Express number is provided or other major courier pickup arrangement is made.

3. Email and Fax back service is available. This service must be requested at time of order with complete email or fax information provided. Please note that if you request email or fax service, we will not send a hard copy via mail. (NOTE: not all orders may be available for email or fax service, in which case it will be mailed or placed in pick-up bin)

4. Each order will be returned to one address only.

Nevada Secretary of State, Ross Miller.  Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Terms of Use