Get Started with Business Search

This guide walks you through making your first Business Search API call. You'll learn how to submit a search, retrieve results, and understand the response. Most developers complete their first successful integration in under 10 minutes.

For an overview of what Business Search does and when to use it, see Business Search: Basics. For verification logic and decision workflows, see Business Search: Best Practices.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

API Key: Get your key from the Baselayer Console. See Authentication for setup instructions.
Webhook Endpoint (recommended): Most customers use webhooks to receive asynchronous results. See Webhooks at Baselayer for configuration.
Test Environment: Use Sandbox for initial integration to avoid charges.

Your First Business Search (Asynchronous)

The default behavior of Business Search is asynchronous. This allows your application to continue processing while Baselayer queries multiple data sources (50+ state registries, IRS systems, federal watchlists).

Submit the Search

Make a POST request to /searches with at minimum a business name and address:

curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.baselayer.com/searches \
  --header 'X-API-Key: <API_KEY>' \
  --header 'Accept: application/json' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '{
    "name": "Howard Concrete Pumping Co Inc",
    "address": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd, Canonsburg PA 15317",
    "officer_names": [
      "Frank Howard Jr"
    ],
    "website": "https://www.howardconcretepumping.com/",
    "tin": "123456789"
  }'

Required fields:

name - Legal business name
address - Business address (at minimum: city and state)

Optional fields (unlock additional verification checks):

tin - Enables IRS verification and returns tin_matched field
website - Enables website match checks via business_website_match
officer_names - Enables officer match signals via business_officer_match
phone_number - Stored for context and comparison
email - Stored for context and comparison
reference_id - Associate this request with your internal ID or case number
options - Request Website Analysis, Industry Prediction, or Enhanced Search (see Order Options below)

Receive Immediate Response

The API returns immediately with a PENDING state and search ID:

{
    "id": "e3166643-8578-4fff-aafc-6b5602dfb404",
    "options": [],
    "orderables": [],
    "user": null,
    "state": "PENDING",
    "name": "Howard Concrete Pumping Co Inc",
    "address": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd, Canonsburg PA 15317",
    "search_address": null,
    "officer_names": [
        "Frank Howard Jr"
    ],
    "website": "https://www.howardconcretepumping.com/",
    "phone_number": null,
    "email": null,
    "tin": "123456789",
    "reference_id": null,
    "tin_matched": null,
    "tin_potential_match": null,
    "watchlist_hits": [],
    "business_name_match": null,
    "business_address_match": null,
    "business_officer_match": null,
    "registered_agent_match": null,
    "business_website_match": null,
    "search_address_validation_level": null,
    "created_at": "2025-10-13T23:28:03.844055Z",
    "updated_at": null,
    "verified": null,
    "scores": [],
    "error": null,
    "warnings": [],
    "business": null,
    "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/searches/e3166643-8578-4fff-aafc-6b5602dfb404",
    "status_url": "https://api.baselayer.com/searches/e3166643-8578-4fff-aafc-6b5602dfb404/status",
    "business_url": null,
    "console_url": "https://console.baselayer.com/search?q=e3166643-8578-4fff-aafc-6b5602dfb404"
}

Key fields in the PENDING response:

id - Unique search identifier (use this to retrieve results or correlate webhook events)
state - Current status: PENDING (just submitted) → EXECUTING (processing) → COMPLETED or FAILED
url - Endpoint to retrieve full search results
status_url - Endpoint to check search status without retrieving full response
console_url - Direct link to view results in Baselayer Console for analyst review

Retrieve Results

You have two options for retrieving completed results:

Option 1: Webhook (Recommended)

Listen for the BusinessSearch.Completed webhook event. Baselayer will POST the complete search response to your configured webhook endpoint when processing finishes (typically 2-5 seconds).

{
    "id": "e3166643-8578-4fff-aafc-6b5602dfb404",
    "options": [],
    "orderables": [],
    "user": null,
    "state": "COMPLETED",
    "name": "Howard Concrete Pumping Co Inc",
    "address": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd, Canonsburg PA 15317",
    "search_address": {
        "id": "84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
        "street": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd",
        "city": "Canonsburg",
        "state": "PA",
        "zip": "15317",
        "latitude": 40.24713,
        "longitude": -80.20446,
        "rdi": "Commercial",
        "deliverable": false,
        "cmra": false,
        "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
        "delivery_type": "STREET"
    },
    "officer_names": [
        "Frank Howard Jr"
    ],
    "website": "https://www.howardconcretepumping.com/",
    "phone_number": null,
    "email": null,
    "tin": "123456789",
    "reference_id": null,
    "tin_matched": false,
    "tin_potential_match": null,
    "watchlist_hits": [
        {
            "code": "IEO",
            "name": "IRS Exempt Organizations List",
            "count": 0,
            "details": []
        },
        {
            "code": "OFAC",
            "name": "Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control",
            "count": 0,
            "details": []
        }
    ],
    "business_name_match": "EXACT",
    "business_address_match": "EXACT",
    "business_officer_match": "EXACT",
    "registered_agent_match": "EXACT",
    "business_website_match": true,
    "search_address_validation_level": "FULL",
    "created_at": "2025-10-13T23:45:33.845574Z",
    "updated_at": "2025-10-13T23:45:56.566101Z",
    "verified": true,
    "scores": [
        {
            "type": "kyb",
            "score": 83.0,
            "rating": "B"
        },
        {
            "type": "risk",
            "score": 93.0,
            "rating": "A"
        }
    ],
    "error": null,
    "warnings": [],
    "business": {
        "id": "1e78e99d-d515-435a-a0b5-dc7899f55f9c",
        "name": "HOWARD CONCRETE PUMPING CO., INC.",
        "structure": "C_CORPORATION",
        "addresses": [
            {
                "id": "897e1b63-4947-4162-b496-580d929705ff",
                "street": "600 E Boulevard Ave Dept 108",
                "city": "Bismarck",
                "state": "ND",
                "zip": "58505",
                "latitude": 46.81683,
                "longitude": -100.78138,
                "rdi": "Commercial",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/897e1b63-4947-4162-b496-580d929705ff",
                "delivery_type": "HIGH_RISE",
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "21bd6891-3038-408c-b0a8-1334a1b170ff",
                "street": "7 Saint Paul St",
                "city": "Baltimore",
                "state": "MD",
                "zip": "21202",
                "latitude": 39.29004,
                "longitude": -76.61375,
                "rdi": "Commercial",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/21bd6891-3038-408c-b0a8-1334a1b170ff",
                "delivery_type": "HIGH_RISE",
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "ffe72f52-ffd5-4834-aff4-eb087907c53a",
                "street": "100 Shockoe Slip",
                "city": "Richmond",
                "state": "VA",
                "zip": "23219",
                "latitude": 37.53537,
                "longitude": -77.43392,
                "rdi": "Commercial",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/ffe72f52-ffd5-4834-aff4-eb087907c53a",
                "delivery_type": "HIGH_RISE",
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "12b46f09-7196-4f75-98b2-c24e1a3936c1",
                "street": "116 Cidar Ln",
                "city": "McMurray",
                "state": "PA",
                "zip": "15317",
                "latitude": 40.28488,
                "longitude": -80.0816,
                "rdi": "Residential",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/12b46f09-7196-4f75-98b2-c24e1a3936c1",
                "delivery_type": "STREET",
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "c3db3a83-830e-4431-8949-441222cbb6cb",
                "street": "600 E Boulevard Ave Dept 108",
                "city": "Bismarck",
                "state": "ND",
                "zip": "58505",
                "latitude": 46.81683,
                "longitude": -100.78138,
                "rdi": "Commercial",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/c3db3a83-830e-4431-8949-441222cbb6cb",
                "delivery_type": "FIRM",
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "461a65a4-1a72-4ce0-b6c0-517ee1fdd6f0",
                "street": "146 W Borland St",
                "city": "Pickerington",
                "state": "OH",
                "zip": "43147",
                "latitude": 39.88621,
                "longitude": -82.75755,
                "rdi": "Commercial",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/461a65a4-1a72-4ce0-b6c0-517ee1fdd6f0",
                "delivery_type": "STREET",
                "sources": [
                    "Online"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "a26b5413-255f-4e12-a6e1-c5c0a5ff26be",
                "street": "18801 S Miles Rd",
                "city": "Cleveland",
                "state": "OH",
                "zip": "44128",
                "latitude": 41.4305,
                "longitude": -81.54868,
                "rdi": "Commercial",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/a26b5413-255f-4e12-a6e1-c5c0a5ff26be",
                "delivery_type": "STREET",
                "sources": [
                    "Online"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "2a4a42c3-1e5b-4370-b5b5-2e947d3eeb70",
                "street": "12 Noblestown Rd",
                "city": "Carnegie",
                "state": "PA",
                "zip": "15106",
                "latitude": 40.40227,
                "longitude": -80.10511,
                "rdi": "Commercial",
                "deliverable": false,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/2a4a42c3-1e5b-4370-b5b5-2e947d3eeb70",
                "delivery_type": "STREET",
                "sources": [
                    "Online"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "ad48f3f0-817a-4356-a7f4-7308bf10e622",
                "street": "124 Tower Plz",
                "city": "Belleville",
                "state": "IL",
                "zip": "62220",
                "latitude": 38.50184,
                "longitude": -89.94885,
                "rdi": "Commercial",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/ad48f3f0-817a-4356-a7f4-7308bf10e622",
                "delivery_type": "STREET",
                "sources": [
                    "SOS",
                    "Online"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "e2e7985e-833c-411c-b3a8-07f79f35a0e8",
                "street": "600 W Main St",
                "city": "Jefferson City",
                "state": "MO",
                "zip": "65101",
                "latitude": 38.58271,
                "longitude": -92.17767,
                "rdi": "Commercial",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/e2e7985e-833c-411c-b3a8-07f79f35a0e8",
                "delivery_type": "HIGH_RISE",
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
                "street": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd",
                "city": "Canonsburg",
                "state": "PA",
                "zip": "15317",
                "latitude": 40.24713,
                "longitude": -80.20446,
                "rdi": "Commercial",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
                "delivery_type": "STREET",
                "sources": [
                    "SOS",
                    "Online"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "a2ce0386-4fc8-4232-8d79-3d355d976f6e",
                "street": "116 Cidar Ln",
                "city": "Canonsburg",
                "state": "PA",
                "zip": "15317",
                "latitude": 40.28488,
                "longitude": -80.0816,
                "rdi": "Residential",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/a2ce0386-4fc8-4232-8d79-3d355d976f6e",
                "delivery_type": "STREET",
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "29015de2-ed7a-4f2b-a95b-1070ef778407",
                "street": "1821 Logan Ave",
                "city": "Cheyenne",
                "state": "WY",
                "zip": "82001",
                "latitude": 41.14206,
                "longitude": -104.79757,
                "rdi": "Commercial",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/29015de2-ed7a-4f2b-a95b-1070ef778407",
                "delivery_type": "STREET",
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "8c31df3d-c936-4539-bc5f-8c9821aea35f",
                "street": "421 W Main St",
                "city": "Frankfort",
                "state": "KY",
                "zip": "40601",
                "latitude": 38.19956,
                "longitude": -84.88046,
                "rdi": "Commercial",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/8c31df3d-c936-4539-bc5f-8c9821aea35f",
                "delivery_type": "STREET",
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "4be1ab0a-ff7d-4512-a306-3a2967cf96ca",
                "street": "600 E Boulevard Ave",
                "city": "Bismarck",
                "state": "ND",
                "zip": "58505",
                "latitude": 46.81683,
                "longitude": -100.78138,
                "rdi": "Residential",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/4be1ab0a-ff7d-4512-a306-3a2967cf96ca",
                "delivery_type": "HIGH_RISE",
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "ee41fad2-573b-41e3-924a-a2783e7f9f5e",
                "street": "701 Millers Run Rd",
                "city": "Cuddy",
                "state": "PA",
                "zip": "15031",
                "latitude": 40.33944,
                "longitude": -80.1764,
                "rdi": "Commercial",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/ee41fad2-573b-41e3-924a-a2783e7f9f5e",
                "delivery_type": "STREET",
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "dc46eab8-1584-400e-8ef1-37cd41fa81b0",
                "street": "100 Shockoe Slip Fl 2",
                "city": "Richmond",
                "state": "VA",
                "zip": "23219",
                "latitude": 37.53537,
                "longitude": -77.43392,
                "rdi": "Commercial",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/dc46eab8-1584-400e-8ef1-37cd41fa81b0",
                "delivery_type": "HIGH_RISE",
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "275c4646-ecee-4953-8230-7feb22ee6a37",
                "street": "7 Saint Paul St Ste 820",
                "city": "Baltimore",
                "state": "MD",
                "zip": "21202",
                "latitude": 39.29004,
                "longitude": -76.61375,
                "rdi": "Commercial",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/275c4646-ecee-4953-8230-7feb22ee6a37",
                "delivery_type": "HIGH_RISE",
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "4cd4bf29-4e9d-4e5e-8257-e2e1e738925f",
                "street": "400 Justabout Rd",
                "city": "Venetia",
                "state": "PA",
                "zip": "15367",
                "latitude": 40.26148,
                "longitude": -80.0735,
                "rdi": "Residential",
                "deliverable": true,
                "cmra": false,
                "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/4cd4bf29-4e9d-4e5e-8257-e2e1e738925f",
                "delivery_type": "STREET",
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            }
        ],
        "phone_numbers": [],
        "email": null,
        "website": "https://www.howardconcretepumping.com/",
        "social_profiles": null,
        "reviews": null,
        "ein": null,
        "incorporation_state": "PA",
        "incorporation_date": "1994-05-25",
        "months_in_business": 377,
        "primary_address": {
            "id": "84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
            "street": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd",
            "city": "Canonsburg",
            "state": "PA",
            "zip": "15317",
            "latitude": 40.24713,
            "longitude": -80.20446,
            "rdi": "Commercial",
            "deliverable": true,
            "cmra": false,
            "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
            "delivery_type": "STREET"
        },
        "alternative_names": [
            "HOWARD CONCRETE PUMPING CO., INC",
            "HOWARD CONCRETE PUMPING CO., INC."
        ],
        "registrations": [
            {
                "id": "018a2224-01eb-4279-bfdf-3301b2b9c80d",
                "name": "HOWARD CONCRETE PUMPING CO., INC.",
                "issue_date": "2021-06-15",
                "inactive_date": null,
                "dissolution_date": null,
                "file_number": "F21866793",
                "state": "MD",
                "address": {
                    "id": "84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
                    "street": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd",
                    "city": "Canonsburg",
                    "state": "PA",
                    "zip": "15317",
                    "latitude": 40.24713,
                    "longitude": -80.20446,
                    "rdi": "Commercial",
                    "deliverable": true,
                    "cmra": false,
                    "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
                    "delivery_type": "STREET"
                },
                "registration_type": "foreign",
                "status": "active",
                "standing": "Incorporated",
                "registered_agent": {
                    "name": "CSC-LAWYERS INCORPORATING SERVICE COMPANY",
                    "address": {
                        "id": "275c4646-ecee-4953-8230-7feb22ee6a37",
                        "street": "7 Saint Paul St Ste 820",
                        "city": "Baltimore",
                        "state": "MD",
                        "zip": "21202",
                        "latitude": 39.29004,
                        "longitude": -76.61375,
                        "rdi": "Commercial",
                        "deliverable": true,
                        "cmra": false,
                        "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/275c4646-ecee-4953-8230-7feb22ee6a37",
                        "delivery_type": "HIGH_RISE"
                    }
                },
                "officers": [
                    {
                        "name": "CSC-LAWYERS INCORPORATING SERVICE COMPANY",
                        "titles": [
                            "AGENT"
                        ]
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "371e7f97-81c3-40c6-8e35-d3c7f3e62fd6",
                "name": "HOWARD CONCRETE PUMPING CO., INC.",
                "issue_date": "2017-11-29",
                "inactive_date": "2022-06-07",
                "dissolution_date": "2022-06-07",
                "file_number": "F001328534",
                "state": "MO",
                "address": {
                    "id": "ee41fad2-573b-41e3-924a-a2783e7f9f5e",
                    "street": "701 Millers Run Rd",
                    "city": "Cuddy",
                    "state": "PA",
                    "zip": "15031",
                    "latitude": 40.33944,
                    "longitude": -80.1764,
                    "rdi": "Commercial",
                    "deliverable": true,
                    "cmra": false,
                    "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/ee41fad2-573b-41e3-924a-a2783e7f9f5e",
                    "delivery_type": "STREET"
                },
                "registration_type": "foreign",
                "status": "inactive",
                "standing": "ADMIN DISS/CANCEL - REPOR",
                "registered_agent": {
                    "name": "(Secretary of State)",
                    "address": {
                        "id": "e2e7985e-833c-411c-b3a8-07f79f35a0e8",
                        "street": "600 W Main St",
                        "city": "Jefferson City",
                        "state": "MO",
                        "zip": "65101",
                        "latitude": 38.58271,
                        "longitude": -92.17767,
                        "rdi": "Commercial",
                        "deliverable": true,
                        "cmra": false,
                        "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/e2e7985e-833c-411c-b3a8-07f79f35a0e8",
                        "delivery_type": "HIGH_RISE"
                    }
                },
                "officers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Frank M Howard, JR",
                        "titles": [
                            "DIRECTOR",
                            "PRESIDENT"
                        ]
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Frank M Howard, III",
                        "titles": [
                            "SECRETARY",
                            "DIRECTOR",
                            "TREASURER"
                        ]
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "225afe8d-c792-450b-af2e-e57c2e9fc92e",
                "name": "HOWARD CONCRETE PUMPING CO., INC.",
                "issue_date": "2009-04-02",
                "inactive_date": "2012-05-22",
                "dissolution_date": "2012-05-22",
                "file_number": "0000093842",
                "state": "ND",
                "address": {
                    "id": "ee41fad2-573b-41e3-924a-a2783e7f9f5e",
                    "street": "701 Millers Run Rd",
                    "city": "Cuddy",
                    "state": "PA",
                    "zip": "15031",
                    "latitude": 40.33944,
                    "longitude": -80.1764,
                    "rdi": "Commercial",
                    "deliverable": true,
                    "cmra": false,
                    "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/ee41fad2-573b-41e3-924a-a2783e7f9f5e",
                    "delivery_type": "STREET"
                },
                "registration_type": "foreign",
                "status": "inactive",
                "standing": "INACTIVE - INVOLUNTARY-  NOT GOOD",
                "registered_agent": {
                    "name": "ND SECRETARY OF STATE (N.D.C.C. -§ 10-01.1-13)",
                    "address": {
                        "id": "4be1ab0a-ff7d-4512-a306-3a2967cf96ca",
                        "street": "600 E Boulevard Ave",
                        "city": "Bismarck",
                        "state": "ND",
                        "zip": "58505",
                        "latitude": 46.81683,
                        "longitude": -100.78138,
                        "rdi": "Residential",
                        "deliverable": true,
                        "cmra": false,
                        "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/4be1ab0a-ff7d-4512-a306-3a2967cf96ca",
                        "delivery_type": "HIGH_RISE"
                    }
                },
                "officers": [
                    {
                        "name": "ND Secretary of State (N.D.C.C. § 10-01.1-13)",
                        "titles": [
                            "AGENT"
                        ]
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "e94779da-e91d-4e0c-9fa8-2526c34c719d",
                "name": "Howard Concrete Pumping Co., Inc.",
                "issue_date": "2009-03-16",
                "inactive_date": null,
                "dissolution_date": null,
                "file_number": "F1783739",
                "state": "VA",
                "address": {
                    "id": "84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
                    "street": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd",
                    "city": "Canonsburg",
                    "state": "PA",
                    "zip": "15317",
                    "latitude": 40.24713,
                    "longitude": -80.20446,
                    "rdi": "Commercial",
                    "deliverable": true,
                    "cmra": false,
                    "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
                    "delivery_type": "STREET"
                },
                "registration_type": "foreign",
                "status": "active",
                "standing": "Active and In Good Standing",
                "registered_agent": {
                    "name": "CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY",
                    "address": {
                        "id": "dc46eab8-1584-400e-8ef1-37cd41fa81b0",
                        "street": "100 Shockoe Slip Fl 2",
                        "city": "Richmond",
                        "state": "VA",
                        "zip": "23219",
                        "latitude": 37.53537,
                        "longitude": -77.43392,
                        "rdi": "Commercial",
                        "deliverable": true,
                        "cmra": false,
                        "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/dc46eab8-1584-400e-8ef1-37cd41fa81b0",
                        "delivery_type": "HIGH_RISE"
                    }
                },
                "officers": [
                    {
                        "name": "FRANK M HOWARD  JR",
                        "titles": [
                            "PRESIDENT  DIRE"
                        ]
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "FRANK M HOWARD  III",
                        "titles": [
                            "SEC TREAS DIREC"
                        ]
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "CORPORATION SERVICE COMPANY",
                        "titles": [
                            "AGENT"
                        ]
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "408282d1-a2fa-4a66-a964-c20249bd86fb",
                "name": "HOWARD CONCRETE PUMPING CO., INC.",
                "issue_date": "1999-12-22",
                "inactive_date": null,
                "dissolution_date": null,
                "file_number": "189173",
                "state": "WV",
                "address": {
                    "id": "84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
                    "street": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd",
                    "city": "Canonsburg",
                    "state": "PA",
                    "zip": "15317",
                    "latitude": 40.24713,
                    "longitude": -80.20446,
                    "rdi": "Commercial",
                    "deliverable": true,
                    "cmra": false,
                    "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
                    "delivery_type": "STREET"
                },
                "registration_type": "foreign",
                "status": "active",
                "standing": "Active",
                "registered_agent": {
                    "name": "FRANK M. HOWARD, JR",
                    "address": {
                        "id": "84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
                        "street": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd",
                        "city": "Canonsburg",
                        "state": "PA",
                        "zip": "15317",
                        "latitude": 40.24713,
                        "longitude": -80.20446,
                        "rdi": "Commercial",
                        "deliverable": true,
                        "cmra": false,
                        "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
                        "delivery_type": "STREET"
                    }
                },
                "officers": [
                    {
                        "name": "FRANK M. HOWARD, III",
                        "titles": [
                            "SECRETARY",
                            "TREASURER"
                        ]
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "FRANK M. HOWARD, JR.",
                        "titles": [
                            "PRESIDENT"
                        ]
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "358abf3d-be1d-49c0-90b4-ed2f129dbdff",
                "name": "Howard Concrete Pumping Co., Inc.",
                "issue_date": "2016-05-03",
                "inactive_date": null,
                "dissolution_date": null,
                "file_number": "2016-000713455",
                "state": "WY",
                "address": {
                    "id": "84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
                    "street": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd",
                    "city": "Canonsburg",
                    "state": "PA",
                    "zip": "15317",
                    "latitude": 40.24713,
                    "longitude": -80.20446,
                    "rdi": "Commercial",
                    "deliverable": true,
                    "cmra": false,
                    "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
                    "delivery_type": "STREET"
                },
                "registration_type": "foreign",
                "status": "active",
                "standing": "Active",
                "registered_agent": {
                    "name": "Corporation Service Company",
                    "address": {
                        "id": "29015de2-ed7a-4f2b-a95b-1070ef778407",
                        "street": "1821 Logan Ave",
                        "city": "Cheyenne",
                        "state": "WY",
                        "zip": "82001",
                        "latitude": 41.14206,
                        "longitude": -104.79757,
                        "rdi": "Commercial",
                        "deliverable": true,
                        "cmra": false,
                        "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/29015de2-ed7a-4f2b-a95b-1070ef778407",
                        "delivery_type": "STREET"
                    }
                },
                "officers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Frank M Howard, III",
                        "titles": [
                            "TREASURER"
                        ]
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Corporation Service Company",
                        "titles": [
                            "AGENT"
                        ]
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "9304d1f0-7968-4da7-8108-8e9a6e01d19c",
                "name": "HOWARD CONCRETE PUMPING CO., INC.",
                "issue_date": "2025-04-24",
                "inactive_date": null,
                "dissolution_date": null,
                "file_number": "75073739",
                "state": "IL",
                "address": null,
                "registration_type": "foreign",
                "status": "active",
                "standing": "Active",
                "registered_agent": {
                    "name": "ROB A VALL",
                    "address": {
                        "id": "ad48f3f0-817a-4356-a7f4-7308bf10e622",
                        "street": "124 Tower Plz",
                        "city": "Belleville",
                        "state": "IL",
                        "zip": "62220",
                        "latitude": 38.50184,
                        "longitude": -89.94885,
                        "rdi": "Commercial",
                        "deliverable": true,
                        "cmra": false,
                        "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/ad48f3f0-817a-4356-a7f4-7308bf10e622",
                        "delivery_type": "STREET"
                    }
                },
                "officers": []
            },
            {
                "id": "46e38099-11af-458f-bb60-2ed1e793b1b3",
                "name": "HOWARD CONCRETE PUMPING CO., INC.",
                "issue_date": "1994-05-25",
                "inactive_date": null,
                "dissolution_date": null,
                "file_number": "0002579432",
                "state": "PA",
                "address": {
                    "id": "84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
                    "street": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd",
                    "city": "Canonsburg",
                    "state": "PA",
                    "zip": "15317",
                    "latitude": 40.24713,
                    "longitude": -80.20446,
                    "rdi": "Commercial",
                    "deliverable": true,
                    "cmra": false,
                    "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
                    "delivery_type": "STREET"
                },
                "registration_type": "domestic",
                "status": "active",
                "standing": "Active",
                "registered_agent": null,
                "officers": [
                    {
                        "name": "FRANK JR HOWARD",
                        "titles": [
                            "PRESIDENT"
                        ]
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "FRANK HOWARD III",
                        "titles": [
                            "TREASURER"
                        ]
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "PAMELA CARLINI",
                        "titles": [
                            "SECRETARY"
                        ]
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Frank M Howard III",
                        "titles": [
                            "GOVERNOR"
                        ]
                    }
                ]
            },
            {
                "id": "3784568a-6c87-4c66-9740-c7d8c6ea1203",
                "name": "Howard Concrete Pumping Co Inc.",
                "issue_date": "2015-04-06",
                "inactive_date": null,
                "dissolution_date": null,
                "file_number": "0918795",
                "state": "KY",
                "address": {
                    "id": "84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
                    "street": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd",
                    "city": "Canonsburg",
                    "state": "PA",
                    "zip": "15317",
                    "latitude": 40.24713,
                    "longitude": -80.20446,
                    "rdi": "Commercial",
                    "deliverable": true,
                    "cmra": false,
                    "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/84d7e366-188f-4bda-8885-fa602a3b9275",
                    "delivery_type": "STREET"
                },
                "registration_type": "foreign",
                "status": "active",
                "standing": "GOOD_STANDING",
                "registered_agent": {
                    "name": "Corporation Service Company",
                    "address": {
                        "id": "8c31df3d-c936-4539-bc5f-8c9821aea35f",
                        "street": "421 W Main St",
                        "city": "Frankfort",
                        "state": "KY",
                        "zip": "40601",
                        "latitude": 38.19956,
                        "longitude": -84.88046,
                        "rdi": "Commercial",
                        "deliverable": true,
                        "cmra": false,
                        "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/addresses/8c31df3d-c936-4539-bc5f-8c9821aea35f",
                        "delivery_type": "STREET"
                    }
                },
                "officers": [
                    {
                        "name": "Corporation Service Company",
                        "titles": [
                            "AGENT"
                        ]
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Frank M Howard, III",
                        "titles": [
                            "TREASURER",
                            "DIRECTOR"
                        ]
                    },
                    {
                        "name": "Frank M Howard, Jr.",
                        "titles": [
                            "DIRECTOR",
                            "PRESIDENT"
                        ]
                    }
                ]
            }
        ],
        "business_officers": [
            {
                "name": "Corporation Service Company",
                "titles": [
                    "AGENT"
                ],
                "states": [
                    "KY",
                    "VA",
                    "WY"
                ],
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "name": "Frank Howard, JR",
                "titles": [
                    "PRESIDENT"
                ],
                "states": [
                    "PA"
                ],
                "sources": [
                    "SOS",
                    "Online"
                ]
            },
            {
                "name": "Pamela Carlini",
                "titles": [
                    "SECRETARY"
                ],
                "states": [
                    "PA"
                ],
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "name": "Frank Howard, III",
                "titles": [
                    "TREASURER"
                ],
                "states": [
                    "PA"
                ],
                "sources": [
                    "SOS",
                    "Online"
                ]
            },
            {
                "name": "Csc-Lawyers Incorporating Service Company",
                "titles": [
                    "AGENT"
                ],
                "states": [
                    "MD"
                ],
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "name": "Frank M Howard, III",
                "titles": [
                    "DIRECTOR",
                    "GOVERNOR",
                    "SEC TREAS DIREC",
                    "SECRETARY",
                    "TREASURER"
                ],
                "states": [
                    "KY",
                    "MO",
                    "PA",
                    "VA",
                    "WV",
                    "WY"
                ],
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "name": "Frank M Howard, JR",
                "titles": [
                    "DIRECTOR",
                    "PRESIDENT",
                    "PRESIDENT  DIRE"
                ],
                "states": [
                    "KY",
                    "MO",
                    "VA",
                    "WV"
                ],
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            },
            {
                "name": "Nd Secretary Of State (Ndcc § 10-011-13)",
                "titles": [
                    "AGENT"
                ],
                "states": [
                    "ND"
                ],
                "sources": [
                    "SOS"
                ]
            }
        ],
        "predicted_naics": [],
        "watchlist_hits": [
            {
                "code": "IEO",
                "name": "IRS Exempt Organizations List",
                "count": 0,
                "details": []
            },
            {
                "code": "PEP",
                "name": "Politically Exposed Persons",
                "count": 0,
                "details": []
            },
            {
                "code": "OFAC",
                "name": "Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control",
                "count": 0,
                "details": []
            }
        ],
        "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/businesses/1e78e99d-d515-435a-a0b5-dc7899f55f9c",
        "console_url": "https://console.baselayer.com/business/1e78e99d-d515-435a-a0b5-dc7899f55f9c",
        "revenue": null,
        "phone_number": null
    },
    "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/searches/e3166643-8578-4fff-aafc-6b5602dfb404",
    "status_url": "https://api.baselayer.com/searches/e3166643-8578-4fff-aafc-6b5602dfb404/status",
    "business_url": "https://api.baselayer.com/businesses/1e78e99d-d515-435a-a0b5-dc7899f55f9c",
    "console_url": "https://console.baselayer.com/business/1e78e99d-d515-435a-a0b5-dc7899f55f9c?searchId=e3166643-8578-4fff-aafc-6b5602dfb404"
}

See Webhooks at Baselayer for webhook setup and best practices.

Option 2: Poll for Results

Use the search id to poll for completion:

curl --request GET \
  --url https://api.baselayer.com/searches/e3166643-8578-4fff-aafc-6b5602dfb404 \
  --header 'X-API-Key: <API_KEY>'

Why webhooks are preferred: Eliminates polling overhead, provides immediate notification when results are ready, and is the pattern used by 80% of Baselayer customers.

Synchronous Search

For testing or simple integrations, you can request synchronous responses by adding the Accept: application/vnd.osiris.sync+json header:

curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.baselayer.com/searches \
  --header 'X-API-Key: <API_KEY>' \
  --header 'Accept: application/vnd.osiris.sync+json' \ <-- new header to make it synchronous
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '{
    "name": "Howard Concrete Pumping Co Inc",
    "address": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd, Canonsburg PA 15317",
    "officer_names": [
      "Frank Howard Jr"
    ],
    "website": "https://www.howardconcretepumping.com/",
    "tin": "123456789"
  }'

The API will wait until processing completes (typically 2-5 seconds) and return the full response with state: COMPLETED:

{
    "id": "e3166643-8578-4fff-aafc-6b5602dfb404",
    "state": "COMPLETED",
    "verified": true,
    "business_name_match": "EXACT",
    "business_address_match": "EXACT",
    "tin_matched": false,
    "scores": [
        { "type": "kyb", "score": 83.0, "rating": "B" },
        { "type": "risk", "score": 93.0, "rating": "A" }
    ],
    "business": {
        "id": "1e78e99d-d515-435a-a0b5-dc7899f55f9c",
        "name": "HOWARD CONCRETE PUMPING CO., INC.",
        "structure": "C_CORPORATION",
        "months_in_business": 377,
        ...
    }
}

You will receive is a complete response, equivalent to what one would receive when either listening for the BusinessSearch.completed webhook event or retrieving the search using GET /searches/{id}

Understanding the Response

A completed Business Search contains multiple layers of verification data. Here are the most important fields to check first:

Search-Level Fields

These fields summarize the overall match quality:

state - Final status: COMPLETED (search finished) or FAILED (no match found or insufficient input)
business_name_match - How closely input name matched official records: EXACT, SIMILAR, or NO_MATCH
business_address_match - Address matching precision: EXACT, CITY, STATE, or NO_MATCH
tin_matched - Boolean confirming IRS validation of the TIN. Can be null during IRS outages (see Handling IRS Outages)
scores - Array of automated risk scores:
- kyb rating (A-F): Evaluates identity verification strength
- risk rating (A-F): Identifies potential risk factors
warnings - Array of operational issues (e.g., "IRS Validation is Unavailable")

Business Object

When state: COMPLETED, the response includes a complete business profile:

id - Store this! Permanent business identifier for follow-up queries, portfolio monitoring, or historical analysis
name - Official legal name from Secretary of State records
structure - Entity type (LLC, C_CORPORATION, NONPROFIT, etc.)
months_in_business - Age since incorporation (critical for lending requirements)
registrations[] - Domestic (incorporation state) and foreign (authorized states) registrations with status
business_officers[] - Directors, managers, and registered agents
addresses[] - All known business addresses with USPS validation signals
watchlist_hits[] - Sanctions or PEP matches for the business or its officers

What to Do Next

Store the business_id: Use it to:

Run follow-up products like Lien Search or Docket Search
Link to your internal customer/vendor records

Build verification logic: Use match signals and scores to make approval decisions. See Business Search: Best Practices for recommended decision workflows.

Handle edge cases: Plan for IRS outages, low-confidence matches, and sole proprietors. See relevant guides in Next Steps below.

Order Options

Note: Order Options are only available for asynchronous searches - any synchronous request including Options will automatically fail.

Business Search supports optional add-ons that enrich verification depth. Pass an options array in your request to enable:

Order.WebsiteAnalysis - Discovers the business website, analyzes domain age/registrar, checks for parked status, and extracts contact information
Order.NaicsPrediction - Classifies the business industry, returning NAICS, MCC, and SIC codes with risk levels
Order.Enhanced - The most comprehensive search: includes Website Analysis, Industry Prediction, social media discovery, online reviews, and additional addresses/officers found online.
Order.Pep - will search to see if any of the business officers are considered a politically exposed person.

Results for Order.Pep will be returned with the initial business search in the payload, however results for Order.NaicsPrediction or Order.WebsiteAnalysis must be fetched asynchronously.

The search object will return an array of orderables that contain urls to fetch the relevant results. For example, the request:

Enhanced Search

The default behavior of the options is asynchronous, meaning the business search will complete and return before the Industry Prediction and Website Analysis have completed.

However, there may be a scenario where the input address or officer names that you supply are not listed formally at the Secretary of State, but may still be a valid operating location of the business and is indicated as such online.

In that case, one can use the Order.Enhanced option. This will block the execution of the search until both the website analysis and industry prediction have completed, allowing us to look across the business's official website, online reviews, and social media profiles to find all instances of phone numbers, emails, address, and officers.

This is the most comprehensive search we offer, but can be expected to be much slower than the baseline searches without the Order.Enhanced option.

Example with order options:

curl --request POST \
  --url https://api.baselayer.com/searches \
  --header 'X-API-Key: <API_KEY>' \
  --header 'Accept: application/json' \
  --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data '{
    "name": "Howard Concrete Pumping Co Inc",
    "address": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd, Canonsburg PA 15317",
    "officer_names": [
      "Frank Howard Jr"
    ],
    "options": ["Order.WebsiteAnalysis", "Order.NaicsPrediction"], <-- note the order options
    "tin": "123456789"
  }'

The response includes an orderables array with IDs and URLs to fetch results:

{
    "id": "34c6d880-1f95-460b-9ad4-8e7c713764b1",
    "options": [
        "Order.WebsiteAnalysis",
        "Order.NaicsPrediction"
    ],
    "orderables": [
        {
            "type": "WebsiteAnalysisRequest",
            "id": "ac5aca82-e75e-40d0-a0eb-1fc474cef2c4",
            "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/website_analysis_requests/ac5aca82-e75e-40d0-a0eb-1fc474cef2c4",
            "option": "Order.WebsiteAnalysis"
        },
        {
            "type": "NAICSPredictionRequest",
            "id": "7f1f1bc6-119d-4613-af28-7f885d37cf2c",
            "url": "https://api.baselayer.com/naics_prediction_requests/7f1f1bc6-119d-4613-af28-7f885d37cf2c",
            "option": "Order.NaicsPrediction"
        }
    ],
    "user": null,
    "state": "COMPLETED",
    ...

Fetch results by making GET requests to the returned URLs, or listen for WebsiteAnalysisRequest.Completed and NAICSPredictionRequest.Completed webhook events.

For detailed guidance on using orderables in verification workflows, see Online Presence & Orderables.

Common Issues

"My sandbox search isn't working / returns no results"

Cause: Sandbox uses pre-defined test cases with exact input matching. If your input differs even slightly from the test data (e.g., adding "USA" to the address or extra spacing), the search will fail.

Solutions:

See Sandbox vs. Production for detailed guidance on sandbox testing
Use the exact test cases from Integration Test Cases spreadsheet provided by your Baselayer account manager
Ensure inputs match exactly - sandbox is whitespace-sensitive
Common mistakes: Adding country codes ("US", "USA"), extra commas, or variations in business name formatting

Example:

✅ Works: "address": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd, Canonsburg PA 15317"
❌ Fails: "address": "2327 Hill Church Houston Rd, Canonsburg PA 15317, US"

Once you've validated your integration in sandbox, switch to production with your real business data.

"My search returned `state`: FAILED"

Cause: No matching business found in Secretary of State records, or insufficient input data.

Solutions:

Check if the business name and address are accurate and correctly submitted
Verify the business is actually registered (many sole proprietors aren't)
If verifying a sole proprietor, see Sole Proprietor Verification for alternative approaches

"`tin_matched` is null"

Cause: IRS system is temporarily unavailable.

What happens: Baselayer automatically retries IRS validation and emits a BusinessSearch.Updated webhook when validation completes. You'll see a warning: "IRS Validation is Unavailable."

Solutions:

Wait for the BusinessSearch.Updated webhook with final tin_matched result
See Handling IRS Outages for detailed implementation patterns

"I submitted a webhook URL but I'm not receiving events"

Common causes:

Webhook endpoint not configured in Baselayer Console
Endpoint not returning 200 status code
Firewall blocking Baselayer IP addresses
HTTPS certificate issues

Troubleshooting:

Verify webhook configuration in Baselayer Console
Check your server logs for incoming POST requests
See Webhooks at Baselayer for detailed troubleshooting

Next Steps

Now that you've made your first successful Business Search, here's where to go next:

Build Verification Logic

Business Search: Best Practices - Recommended decision workflows using match signals and scores
Scores & Ratings - Deep dive on interpreting KYB and Risk ratings
Handling IRS Outages - Robust TIN validation strategies

Expand Your Workflow

Web Presence & Orderables - Add website and industry analysis to verification
Portfolio Monitoring - Continuous monitoring after approval for status changes, liens, and sanctions
Sole Proprietor Verification - Handle unregistered businesses and thin-file cases
Batch Searches - Process bulk verification for existing customer base

Use Case Guides

See industry-specific verification workflows:

Payment Processors - Fraud screening and industry compliance
Marketplaces - Vendor credibility and web presence verification
Business Lending - Credit risk and comprehensive underwriting
Bank Account Opening - Streamlined compliance verification

Product Integration

Authentication - Manage API keys and environments
Sandbox vs. Production - Testing best practices
API Reference - Complete endpoint documentation

Need help? Contact your Baselayer account manager or check FAQs for common questions.

Get Started with Business Search

Prerequisites

Your First Business Search (Asynchronous)

Submit the Search

Receive Immediate Response

Retrieve Results

Option 1: Webhook (Recommended)

Option 2: Poll for Results

Synchronous Search

Understanding the Response

Search-Level Fields

Business Object

What to Do Next

Order Options

Common Issues

"My sandbox search isn't working / returns no results"

"My search returned state: FAILED"

"tin_matched is null"

"I submitted a webhook URL but I'm not receiving events"

Next Steps

Build Verification Logic

Expand Your Workflow

Use Case Guides

Product Integration

"My search returned `state`: FAILED"

"`tin_matched` is null"