Key Takeaways

  • The Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) offers an online eCorp search tool to find business names, statuses, and filing histories.
  • You can search by business name, entity ID, or principal/officer name.
  • Results include critical details such as business type, registration date, and statutory agent information.
  • The system distinguishes between active, inactive, and dissolved entities.
  • You can reserve a name, check name availability, and even access document filing history through the system.
  • Using the Arizona LLC search is an important part of compliance and due diligence before forming or modifying a business.
  • Additional options exist for viewing public records and verifying legitimacy.
  • You may consult a business attorney on UpCounsel for help navigating these legal processes.

The Arizona Corporate Commission LLC Search allows you to find out whether the name you want for your limited liability company is available or already in use by another business. Conducting a business entity search also allows you to access the complete filing history of any Arizona business.

The first step in naming your Arizona LLC is to make sure the name you want is not already taken by searching the Arizona Business Entity Database. The state maintains one website where you can search for partnerships and another to search for LLCs and corporations. While these systems determine whether a name is available, they don't indicate whether it is considered distinguishable by Arizona law or whether it infringes on federal or international trademarks. You'll also need to check domain name availability by searching a site like GoDaddy.

Searching for a Corporation or LLC

To use the Arizona Business Entity Search:

  • Visit the website and click the tab for Name - Forms to access the search function.
  • Select Online Entity Name Reservation from the drop-down menu.
  • Choose the correct entity type or select "All" to search all entities.
  • Select the "Active" option from the drop-down menu.
  • Enter your desired LLC name in the search box. Leave out punctuation. You may want to type just the first few words and then select the "Starts With" option to receive results that are similar to your desired name.
  • Select the Check Name button to conduct your search.
  • If the results do not show any businesses with the same or a similar name, your desired name is available and distinguishable. You can click on the included link to reserve the business name.
  • If another business returns with the same or a similar name, you'll need to go back to the drawing board.

How to Use the Arizona eCorp Search Portal

To conduct a search via the Arizona Corporation Commission’s eCorp portal:

  1. Go to the ACC’s Entity Search page.
  2. Choose your preferred search method (entity name, ID, principal, etc.).
  3. Enter the relevant information and apply filters if needed (e.g., Active Only).
  4. Browse the results for matching entities.
  5. Click on an entity name to view its business information page.

On the entity information page, you can:

  • View and download filed documents (like Articles of Organization).
  • Check entity status (e.g., Good Standing, Delinquent).
  • Confirm or update statutory agent info.
  • File amendments or other forms if authorized.

Using this centralized portal streamlines the process of managing and verifying LLCs and other business entities in Arizona.

Types of Arizona Business Entity Searches

The Arizona Corporation Commission’s online eCorp Entity Search Tool provides several search options to help users find business information:

  • Entity Name Search: Enter a full or partial name to see a list of matching businesses. Useful for checking LLC name availability.
  • Entity ID Search: If you know the exact entity number, this option provides the most direct access.
  • Principal or Statutory Agent Name: Allows you to find businesses associated with a specific person or agent, including law firms and business representatives.
  • Filing Number: For users with specific document filings, this lets you locate the corresponding business entity.

Each search result typically includes:

  • Entity name and type (LLC, Corporation, etc.)
  • Date of formation or registration
  • Status (Active, Inactive, Pending, etc.)
  • Principal office address
  • Statutory agent name and address
  • Filing history and scanned documents

The Arizona LLC search tool is especially valuable for entrepreneurs researching available business names or competitors, as well as for legal and compliance reviews.

Checking Arizona LLC Status

After filing Articles of Organization to form a new LLC, you can check to see whether these documents have been approved and/or verify that your business information is listed correctly by searching for your business name on the Arizona Corporation Commission's (ACC) database. 

If the business address or any other information is incorrect, the owners or managers should take steps to fix the error. If the address or the name of a member, manager, or owner is wrong, you can file the ACC's change of address/agent form.

Certain errors must be corrected by filing Articles of Amendment to your original Articles of Organization, including:

  • An existing member who is not listed or a listed member who is no longer with a member-managed LLC
  • A listed member who is no longer a member or who owns less than 20 percent of a manager-managed LLC
  • A member who owns more than 20 percent of a manager-managed LLC is not listed
  • A manager is not listed, or a person who is not a manager is listed in the record of a manager-managed LLC

Understanding Entity Status and Public Records

The Arizona LLC search provides insights into a company’s legal standing. Statuses you may encounter include:

  • Active: The LLC is in good standing with current filings.
  • Inactive or Dissolved: The entity no longer legally exists.
  • Delinquent: Missing required filings, such as annual reports.
  • Pending: Recent filings have not yet been processed.

The public records available through the Arizona Corporation Commission can include:

  • Articles of Organization
  • Amendments
  • Annual Reports
  • Agent changes
  • Certificates of Good Standing (available for download or request)

These records are often required when applying for loans, entering contracts, or selling/transferring a business. The Arizona LLC search tool simplifies access to these critical documents.

Filing Your Annual Report

You can also use the ACC search tool to file your LLC's annual report. Visit the website and select search by corporate name. Enter the name of your LLC and select it on the results page. Select the prompt for online filing. You'll need to enter the address of your business, information about your statutory agent, shareholder and capitalization information, and names of directors and officers. Finally, enter your credit card information to pay the annual fee. The annual report can also be filed by mail. The annual report can also be filed by mail.

The annual report will be processed within a few weeks for online filing and about a month for mailed reports. You can receive expedited service within four business days for an additional fee. The same annual report is used for both domestic and foreign Arizona LLCs. 

Why an Arizona LLC Search Matters

Performing an Arizona LLC search is a vital due diligence step when starting or managing a business. Here's why:

  • Avoid Name Conflicts: Ensure your chosen name isn’t already in use, helping prevent rejection of your filing.
  • Trademark Protection: Helps reduce the risk of inadvertently infringing on another business’s brand or trademark.
  • Verify Business Legitimacy: Determine if a business is legally registered, active, and compliant.
  • Understand Competitors: You can learn about competitor entities, including their structure and filings.
  • Confirm Statutory Agent and Members: Especially useful for service of process and regulatory correspondence.

For more advanced or legal questions related to forming or managing an LLC in Arizona, consider hiring a vetted attorney through UpCounsel.

Reserving a Business Name in Arizona

If the name you want for your LLC is available, you may reserve it through the Arizona Corporation Commission’s website. Here’s how:

  1. Conduct a name search to confirm availability.
  2. Navigate to the Name Reservation section on the ACC site.
  3. File a name reservation online or submit the appropriate form by mail.
  4. Pay the reservation fee (as of this writing, $45 online or $10 by mail).
  5. The reservation holds the name for 120 days.

Remember, reserving a name does not create an LLC—it only ensures that name isn’t claimed during the reservation window. This is especially useful if you're still preparing documents or awaiting legal review.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How can I find out if an LLC name is available in Arizona?
    Use the Arizona Corporation Commission’s eCorp search tool and select the “Entity Name” option to check for existing or similar names.
  2. What information is shown in the Arizona LLC search results?
    You’ll see the entity name, formation date, status, statutory agent details, and available public filings like Articles of Organization.
  3. Can I reserve a business name before forming an LLC?
    Yes, the ACC allows name reservations for up to 120 days. This gives you time to complete the LLC formation process.
  4. What does it mean if an LLC status is “delinquent”?
    It means the business has failed to file one or more required reports or documents and may be subject to penalties or dissolution.
  5. Is it possible to view past filings or amendments for an LLC?
    Yes, the ACC provides document histories and PDFs of prior filings for each registered entity through its online system.

If you need help with searching for an LLC in Arizona, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.