# The incorporated_before query parameter is deprecated

OpenCorporates API deprecated GET /v0.4/companies/search, query parameter incorporated_before without giving a shutdown date yet.

OpenCorporates has deprecated the incorporated_before query parameter on the GET /v0.4/companies/search endpoint without specifying a shutdown date. Calls continuing to use this parameter will eventually fail once it is fully removed.

## What to use instead

Use the incorporation_date date filter with the format incorporation_date=:YYYY-MM-DD instead.

- API: OpenCorporates API (api.opencorporates.com)
- Kind: Parameter removal
- Takes effect: no date given yet
- Calls after that day: fail
- Calls it hits: `GET /v0.4/companies/search`, `query parameter incorporated_before`
- Source: [Announcement](https://api.opencorporates.com/documentation/API-Reference)
- Verified: November 6, 2026, against OpenCorporates API's own pages
- Page: https://www.okapi.bot/providers/opencorporates-api/breaking-changes/the-incorporated-before-query-parameter-is-deprecated/

## OpenCorporates API's words

> Deprecated Restrict to companies with an incorporation_date before the given date

Okapi finds the calls this change hits in your repo and opens the pull request with the fix: https://github.com/apps/okapi-agent