diff --git a/ceo/cli/groups.py b/ceo/cli/groups.py
index cf2ff5a..5866f40 100644
--- a/ceo/cli/groups.py
+++ b/ceo/cli/groups.py
@@ -149,3 +149,15 @@ def delete(group_name):
     click.confirm(f"Are you sure you want to delete {group_name}?", abort=True)
     resp = http_delete(f'/api/groups/{group_name}')
     handle_stream_response(resp, DeleteGroupTransaction.operations)
+
+
+@groups.command(short_help='Search for groups')
+@click.argument('query')
+@click.option('--count', default=10, help='number of results to show')
+def search(query, count):
+    check_if_in_development()
+    resp = http_get(f'/api/groups/search/{query}/{count}')
+    result = handle_sync_response(resp)
+    for cn in result:
+        if cn != "":
+            click.echo(cn)
diff --git a/ceo/tui/controllers/SearchGroupController.py b/ceo/tui/controllers/SearchGroupController.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..171bc88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ceo/tui/controllers/SearchGroupController.py
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+from ceo.utils import http_get
+from .Controller import Controller
+from .SyncRequestController import SyncRequestController
+from ceo.tui.views import SearchGroupResponseView, GetGroupResponseView
+
+
+# this is a little bit bad because it relies on zero coupling between
+# the GetGroupResponseView and the GetGroupController
+# coupling is also introduced between this controller and the
+# SearchGroupResponseView as it requires this class's callback
+class SearchGroupController(SyncRequestController):
+    def __init__(self, model, app):
+        super().__init__(model, app)
+
+    def get_resp(self):
+        if self.model.want_info:
+            return http_get(f'/api/groups/{self.model.name}')
+        else:
+            return http_get(f'/api/groups/search/{self.model.name}/{self.model.count}')
+
+    def get_response_view(self):
+        if self.model.want_info:
+            return GetGroupResponseView(self.model, self, self.app)
+        else:
+            return SearchGroupResponseView(self.model, self, self.app)
+
+    def group_info_callback(self, button, cn):
+        self.model.name = cn
+        self.model.want_info = True
+        self.request_in_progress = False
+        self.on_next_button_pressed(button)
+
+    def on_next_button_pressed(self, button):
+        try:
+            if not self.model.want_info:
+                self.model.name = self.get_username_from_view()
+            self.model.count = 10
+        except Controller.InvalidInput:
+            return
+        self.on_confirmation_button_pressed(button)
diff --git a/ceo/tui/controllers/__init__.py b/ceo/tui/controllers/__init__.py
index 7b28a64..10f5195 100644
--- a/ceo/tui/controllers/__init__.py
+++ b/ceo/tui/controllers/__init__.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from .ResetPasswordController import ResetPasswordController
 from .ChangeLoginShellController import ChangeLoginShellController
 from .AddGroupController import AddGroupController
 from .GetGroupController import GetGroupController
+from .SearchGroupController import SearchGroupController
 from .AddMemberToGroupController import AddMemberToGroupController
 from .RemoveMemberFromGroupController import RemoveMemberFromGroupController
 from .CreateDatabaseController import CreateDatabaseController
diff --git a/ceo/tui/models/SearchGroupModel.py b/ceo/tui/models/SearchGroupModel.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..561b915
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ceo/tui/models/SearchGroupModel.py
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+class SearchGroupModel:
+    name = 'SearchGroup'
+    title = 'Search groups'
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        self.name = ''
+        self.resp_json = None
+        self.count = 10
+        self.want_info = False
diff --git a/ceo/tui/models/WelcomeModel.py b/ceo/tui/models/WelcomeModel.py
index ac76086..124a692 100644
--- a/ceo/tui/models/WelcomeModel.py
+++ b/ceo/tui/models/WelcomeModel.py
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ from .ResetPasswordModel import ResetPasswordModel
 from .ChangeLoginShellModel import ChangeLoginShellModel
 from .AddGroupModel import AddGroupModel
 from .GetGroupModel import GetGroupModel
+from .SearchGroupModel import SearchGroupModel
 from .AddMemberToGroupModel import AddMemberToGroupModel
 from .RemoveMemberFromGroupModel import RemoveMemberFromGroupModel
 from .CreateDatabaseModel import CreateDatabaseModel
@@ -29,6 +30,7 @@ class WelcomeModel:
             'Groups': [
                 AddGroupModel,
                 GetGroupModel,
+                SearchGroupModel,
                 AddMemberToGroupModel,
                 RemoveMemberFromGroupModel,
             ],
diff --git a/ceo/tui/models/__init__.py b/ceo/tui/models/__init__.py
index 64013d0..3c4f211 100644
--- a/ceo/tui/models/__init__.py
+++ b/ceo/tui/models/__init__.py
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ from .ResetPasswordModel import ResetPasswordModel
 from .ChangeLoginShellModel import ChangeLoginShellModel
 from .AddGroupModel import AddGroupModel
 from .GetGroupModel import GetGroupModel
+from .SearchGroupModel import SearchGroupModel
 from .AddMemberToGroupModel import AddMemberToGroupModel
 from .RemoveMemberFromGroupModel import RemoveMemberFromGroupModel
 from .CreateDatabaseModel import CreateDatabaseModel
diff --git a/ceo/tui/utils.py b/ceo/tui/utils.py
index fa225d8..c2e71c7 100644
--- a/ceo/tui/utils.py
+++ b/ceo/tui/utils.py
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ def handle_sync_response(resp, controller):
     raise Controller.RequestFailed()
 
 
+# this can probably be simplified with getattr or something
 def get_mvc(app, name):
     if name == WelcomeModel.name:
         model = WelcomeModel()
@@ -58,6 +59,10 @@ def get_mvc(app, name):
         model = GetGroupModel()
         controller = GetGroupController(model, app)
         view = GetGroupView(model, controller, app)
+    elif name == SearchGroupModel.name:
+        model = SearchGroupModel()
+        controller = SearchGroupController(model, app)
+        view = SearchGroupView(model, controller, app)
     elif name == AddMemberToGroupModel.name:
         model = AddMemberToGroupModel()
         controller = AddMemberToGroupController(model, app)
diff --git a/ceo/tui/views/SearchGroupResponseView.py b/ceo/tui/views/SearchGroupResponseView.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..627e905
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ceo/tui/views/SearchGroupResponseView.py
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+import urwid
+
+from .ColumnResponseView import ColumnResponseView
+from .utils import decorate_button
+
+
+class SearchGroupResponseView(ColumnResponseView):
+    def __init__(self, model, controller, app):
+        super().__init__(model, controller, app)
+        matches = self.model.resp_json.copy()
+
+        rows = [(urwid.Text(resp),
+                decorate_button(urwid.Button('more info', on_press=self.create_callback(resp))))
+                for resp in matches if resp != '']
+
+        self.set_rows(rows, on_next=self.controller.get_next_menu_callback('Welcome'))
+
+    def create_callback(self, cn):
+        def callback(button):
+            self.controller.group_info_callback(button, cn)
+        return callback
diff --git a/ceo/tui/views/SearchGroupView.py b/ceo/tui/views/SearchGroupView.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c20bb99
--- /dev/null
+++ b/ceo/tui/views/SearchGroupView.py
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+import urwid
+
+from .ColumnView import ColumnView
+
+
+class SearchGroupView(ColumnView):
+    def __init__(self, model, controller, app):
+        super().__init__(model, controller, app)
+        # used for query, consider combining Controller.user_name_from_view and Controller.get_group_name_from_view
+        self.username_edit = urwid.Edit()
+        rows = [
+            (
+                urwid.Text('Query:', align='right'),
+                self.username_edit
+            )
+        ]
+        self.set_rows(rows)
diff --git a/ceo/tui/views/__init__.py b/ceo/tui/views/__init__.py
index bb4476e..bf61e2c 100644
--- a/ceo/tui/views/__init__.py
+++ b/ceo/tui/views/__init__.py
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ from .AddGroupView import AddGroupView
 from .AddGroupConfirmationView import AddGroupConfirmationView
 from .GetGroupView import GetGroupView
 from .GetGroupResponseView import GetGroupResponseView
+from .SearchGroupView import SearchGroupView
+from .SearchGroupResponseView import SearchGroupResponseView
 from .AddMemberToGroupView import AddMemberToGroupView
 from .AddMemberToGroupConfirmationView import AddMemberToGroupConfirmationView
 from .RemoveMemberFromGroupView import RemoveMemberFromGroupView
diff --git a/ceo_common/utils.py b/ceo_common/utils.py
index bd3f3be..0e4dfc1 100644
--- a/ceo_common/utils.py
+++ b/ceo_common/utils.py
@@ -1,6 +1,52 @@
 import datetime
 
 
+class fuzzy_result:
+    def __init__(self, string, score):
+        self.string = string
+        self.score = score
+
+    # consider a score worse if the edit distance is larger
+    def __lt__(self, other):
+        return self.score > other.score
+
+    def __gt__(self, other):
+        return self.score < other.score
+
+    def __le__(self, other):
+        return self.score >= other.score
+
+    def __ge__(self, other):
+        return self.score <= other.score
+
+    def __eq__(self, other):
+        return self.score == other.score
+
+    def __ne__(self, other):
+        return self.score != other.score
+
+
+# compute levenshtein edit distance, adapted from rosetta code
+def fuzzy_match(s1, s2):
+    if len(s1) == 0:
+        return len(s2)
+    if len(s2) == 0:
+        return len(s1)
+    edits = [i for i in range(len(s2) + 1)]
+    for i in range(len(s1)):
+        corner = i
+        edits[0] = i + 1
+        for j in range(len(s2)):
+            upper = edits[j + 1]
+            if s1[i] == s2[j]:
+                edits[j + 1] = corner
+            else:
+                m = min(corner, upper, edits[j])
+                edits[j + 1] = m + 1
+            corner = upper
+    return edits[-1]
+
+
 def get_current_datetime() -> datetime.datetime:
     # We place this in a separate function so that we can mock it out
     # in our unit tests.
diff --git a/ceod/api/groups.py b/ceod/api/groups.py
index fbeed39..802d7a7 100644
--- a/ceod/api/groups.py
+++ b/ceod/api/groups.py
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 from flask import Blueprint, request
+from flask.json import jsonify
 from zope import component
 
 from .utils import authz_restrict_to_syscom, is_truthy, \
     create_streaming_response, development_only
 from ceo_common.interfaces import ILDAPService
+from ceo_common.utils import fuzzy_result, fuzzy_match
 from ceod.transactions.groups import (
     AddGroupTransaction,
     AddMemberToGroupTransaction,
@@ -11,6 +13,8 @@ from ceod.transactions.groups import (
     DeleteGroupTransaction,
 )
 
+from heapq import heappushpop, nlargest
+
 bp = Blueprint('groups', __name__)
 
 
@@ -32,6 +36,22 @@ def get_group(group_name):
     return group.to_dict()
 
 
+@bp.route('/search/<query>/<count>')
+def search_group(query, count):
+    query = str(query)
+    count = int(count)
+    ldap_srv = component.getUtility(ILDAPService)
+    clubs = ldap_srv.get_clubs()
+    scores = [fuzzy_result("", 99999) for _ in range(count)]
+    for club in clubs:
+        score = fuzzy_match(query, str(club.cn))
+        result = fuzzy_result(str(club.cn), score)
+        heappushpop(scores, result)
+
+    result = [score.string for score in nlargest(count, scores)]
+    return jsonify(result)
+
+
 @bp.route('/<group_name>/members/<username>', methods=['POST'])
 @authz_restrict_to_syscom
 def add_member_to_group(group_name, username):
diff --git a/ceod/model/LDAPService.py b/ceod/model/LDAPService.py
index e87a754..fe32025 100644
--- a/ceod/model/LDAPService.py
+++ b/ceod/model/LDAPService.py
@@ -360,7 +360,11 @@ class LDAPService:
         return users_to_change
 
     def _get_club_uids(self, conn: ldap3.Connection) -> List[str]:
-        conn.search(self.ldap_users_base, '(objectClass=club)', attributes=['uid'])
+        conn.extend.standard.paged_search(self.ldap_users_base,
+                                          '(objectClass=club)',
+                                          attributes=['uid'],
+                                          paged_size=50,
+                                          generator=False)
         return [entry.uid.value for entry in conn.entries]
 
     def get_clubs(self) -> List[IGroup]:
diff --git a/docs/openapi.yaml b/docs/openapi.yaml
index c98a8e4..b030cd7 100644
--- a/docs/openapi.yaml
+++ b/docs/openapi.yaml
@@ -284,6 +284,26 @@ paths:
                       $ref: "#/components/schemas/UID"
         "404":
           $ref: "#/components/responses/GroupNotFoundErrorResponse"
+  /groups/{query}/{count}:
+    get: 
+      tags: ['groups']
+      summary: fuzzy search groups
+      description: >-
+        search count number of groups, returns a list of names sorted by levenshtein edit
+        distance.
+      parameters:
+      - name: query
+        in: path
+        description: query or string to search for
+        required: true
+        schema:
+          type: string
+      - name: count
+        in: path
+        description: number of results to return, returns empty strings if necessary
+        required: true
+        schema:
+          type: int
   /groups/{group_name}/members/{username}:
     post:
       tags: ['groups']
diff --git a/tests/ceo/cli/test_groups.py b/tests/ceo/cli/test_groups.py
index 50c4931..3cbfd89 100644
--- a/tests/ceo/cli/test_groups.py
+++ b/tests/ceo/cli/test_groups.py
@@ -77,6 +77,44 @@ def test_groups(cli_setup, ldap_user):
     result = runner.invoke(cli, ['groups', 'delete', 'test_group_1'], input='y\n')
     assert result.exit_code == 0
 
+    group_names = [
+        "touch",
+        "error",
+        "happy",
+        "moon",
+        "decisive",
+        "exciting",
+        "super",
+        "ambitious",
+        "acidic",
+        "addition",
+        "blue-eyed",
+        "grate",
+        "replace",
+        "natural",
+        "explode",
+        "decorous",
+        "wide",
+        "hang",
+        "tomatoes",
+        "thirsty",
+    ]
+    runner = CliRunner()
+    for name in group_names:
+        result = runner.invoke(cli, [
+            'groups', 'add', name, '-d', 'searchable group',
+        ], input='y\n')
+        assert result.exit_code == 0
+
+    for name in group_names:
+        result = runner.invoke(cli, ['groups', 'search', '--count=1', name])
+        assert result.exit_code == 0
+        assert result.output.find(name) != -1
+
+    for name in group_names:
+        result = runner.invoke(cli, ['groups', 'delete', name], input='y\n')
+        assert result.exit_code == 0
+
 
 def create_group(group_name, desc):
     runner = CliRunner()
diff --git a/tests/ceod/api/test_groups.py b/tests/ceod/api/test_groups.py
index 67388ea..17b408b 100644
--- a/tests/ceod/api/test_groups.py
+++ b/tests/ceod/api/test_groups.py
@@ -111,6 +111,206 @@ def test_api_add_member_to_group(client, create_group_result, ldap_user):
     assert data['members'] == []
 
 
+@pytest.fixture(scope='module')
+def create_random_names():
+    # 150 random names generated with https://www.randomlists.com/random-words
+    random_names = [
+        "intelligent",
+        "skin",
+        "shivering",
+        "hapless",
+        "abstracted",
+        "kiss",
+        "decision",
+        "van",
+        "advise",
+        "parcel",
+        "disillusioned",
+        "print",
+        "skate",
+        "robin",
+        "explode",
+        "fearless",
+        "feeling",
+        "chemical",
+        "identify",
+        "baseball",
+        "room",
+        "contain",
+        "smooth",
+        "play",
+        "fierce",
+        "north",
+        "secretive",
+        "plug",
+        "rely",
+        "home",
+        "push",
+        "guard",
+        "allow",
+        "depressed",
+        "evasive",
+        "slap",
+        "delicate",
+        "concern",
+        "consider",
+        "fang",
+        "roll",
+        "bait",
+        "rabbits",
+        "guarded",
+        "abnormal",
+        "loutish",
+        "voracious",
+        "chase",
+        "army",
+        "harsh",
+        "grieving",
+        "tacky",
+        "far",
+        "wise",
+        "street",
+        "price",
+        "bikes",
+        "post",
+        "afternoon",
+        "deranged",
+        "cart",
+        "evanescent",
+        "shrill",
+        "uppity",
+        "adhoc",
+        "alleged",
+        "round",
+        "smart",
+        "support",
+        "plantation",
+        "flap",
+        "pretty",
+        "radiate",
+        "excite",
+        "memorize",
+        "whisper",
+        "thoughtless",
+        "substantial",
+        "upset",
+        "pathetic",
+        "flow",
+        "shake",
+        "wail",
+        "share",
+        "songs",
+        "scream",
+        "aspiring",
+        "overwrought",
+        "mass",
+        "romantic",
+        "deliver",
+        "anxious",
+        "laborer",
+        "angry",
+        "faded",
+        "wish",
+        "homeless",
+        "salty",
+        "start",
+        "crooked",
+        "tremble",
+        "enjoy",
+        "chivalrous",
+        "useless",
+        "womanly",
+        "brake",
+        "wandering",
+        "please",
+        "cow",
+        "reason",
+        "expert",
+        "null",
+        "basket",
+        "early",
+        "river",
+        "prevent",
+        "sticks",
+        "vacation",
+        "eggnog",
+        "receive",
+        "memory",
+        "exchange",
+        "burly",
+        "agreement",
+        "flock",
+        "subdued",
+        "clap",
+        "simplistic",
+        "tiger",
+        "responsible",
+        "knock",
+        "camera",
+        "nifty",
+        "capable",
+        "disappear",
+        "afterthought",
+        "obese",
+        "harass",
+        "delicious",
+        "badge",
+        "dam",
+        "plate",
+        "acrid",
+        "voiceless",
+        "mate",
+        "juice",
+        "food",
+        "town",
+        "giraffe",
+        "decorate"
+    ]
+    yield random_names
+
+
+@pytest.fixture(scope='module')
+def create_searchable_groups(client, create_random_names):
+    random_names = create_random_names
+    for name in random_names:
+        status, data = client.post('/api/groups', json={
+            'cn': name,
+            'description': 'Groups with distinct names for testing searching',
+        })
+        assert status == 200
+        assert data[-1]['status'] == 'completed'
+    yield random_names
+
+
+def test_api_group_search(client, create_searchable_groups):
+    cns = create_searchable_groups
+    # pairs of cn indices as well as amount of results that should be returned
+    random_numbers = [
+        (88, 68),
+        (117, 54),
+        (63, 97),
+        (64, 19),
+        (114, 98),
+        (45, 146),
+        (58, 12),
+        (42, 126),
+        (66, 137),
+        (39, 135),
+    ]
+
+    for tup in random_numbers:
+        cn = cns[tup[0]]
+        status, data = client.get(f'/api/groups/search/{cn}/{tup[1]}')
+        assert status == 200
+        assert len(data) == tup[1]
+        assert data[0] == cn
+
+    for cn in cns:
+        status, data = client.delete(f'/api/groups/{cn}')
+        assert status == 200
+        assert data[-1]['status'] == 'completed'
+
+
 def test_api_group_auxiliary(cfg, client, ldap_user, g_admin_ctx):
     # Make sure that syscom has auxiliary mailing lists and groups
     # defined in ceod_test_local.ini.