Wisconsin Business Entity Search
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions only answers searches on its own site. Start here and land on the right one.
Wisconsin at a glance
Wisconsin business records
Business entities in Wisconsin file with the Department of Financial Institutions rather than the Secretary of State. Filing online is cheaper for an LLC: $130 instead of $170 on paper, and the annual report is $25 online instead of $40.
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate and Consumer Services keeps these records; many people call its search CRIS.
Statuses you may see in Wisconsin
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Organized | A domestic entity has been created and nothing has been filed to end it. |
| Incorporated/Qualified/Registered | A domestic entity was created or a foreign entity licensed, and it is current with its annual reports. |
| Delinquent | The entity is not current with its annual report filings. |
| In Bad Standing | The entity is not current with its annual report filings. |
| Restored to Good Standing | The entity was delinquent or in bad standing but is now current with its reports. |
| Administratively Dissolved | DFI dissolved the entity by administrative action. |
| Dissolved | The entity filed to dissolve. |
| Revocation/Termination of Certificate/Registration | A foreign entity's license to do business in Wisconsin was revoked or terminated. |
| Merged/Acquired | The entity merged into another and did not survive. |
| Withdrawal | A foreign entity ended its authority to do business in Wisconsin. |
Source, checked 2026-10-26. Words other states use are in the business entity status guide.
Questions
Is this the official Wisconsin business search?
No. Open State Index is an independent website with no connection to any government agency. The official Wisconsin search is CRIS, run by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
What is CRIS?
CRIS is what many people call the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions's online business records. The official search linked on this page is part of the same system.
How do I check if a business name is available in Wisconsin?
Search the name in the Corporate Registration Information System (CRIS) or call the Corporation Bureau for a tentative check. No name is assured until DFI has examined and filed the formation or name change.
Does Wisconsin charge a franchise tax or a similar yearly tax?
Wisconsin charges every domestic or foreign corporation doing business in the state, with listed exceptions, an annual franchise tax for the privilege of exercising its franchise, measured by its net income.
More about a Wisconsin business
- How to find a business's EIN
- Check if an LLC name is available
- What each entity status means
- What a registered agent is
- Business lookup in other states
Every fee and rule above links to the official page it came from. How we check our facts · Report an error