An Arizona corporation search can help you find out information about registered corporations in that state. Along with the filing history for a business entity, you can also check the availability of a business name you wish to use. You can find this information using different search criteria, including an agent name or filing number.

Arizona Business Licenses

The Arizona Secretary of State is the governing body that manages all business records in the state. The SOS registry holds all company names, trademarks, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships.

You can search an online database to find registered business names. Search criteria include:

  • Applicant or agent name
  • Registered name
  • Filing number

LLCs and corporations are registered with the Arizona Corporation Commission. You can use an online Business Entity Search to find corporations and LLCs. At the Arizona Department of Revenue, you can review a complete list of agencies in charge of business and professional licenses in Arizona. Lists are sorted alphabetically and by agency and profession. A lot of the agencies provide license searches via license number or name.

Partnership Search Using Filing Number

  1. Visit the Arizona Corporation Commission.
  2. Enter a filing number into the correct field and click “Search.”
  3. If you entered the filing number correctly, only one business entity result should show.
  4. The entity ID will be highlighted in red. Click on it to proceed.

All business information made public by the Commission will be available.

Partnership Search Using Applicant/Agent Name

  1. Visit the Arizona Corporation Commission.
  2. Enter the applicant or agent name into the search box and click the “Search” button.
  3. You'll see a list containing all applicant or agent names that match your search metrics.
  4. In the results, you should be able to find the exact name that you're looking for. To proceed, click the agent ID number.
  5. On the next page, you'll see the entity that's associated with your applicant/agent. To continue, click the file ID number.

You'll then see the applicant or agent's filing history.

Partnership Search Using the Registered Name

  1. Visit the Arizona Corporation Commission.
  2. Enter a registered individual's name into the search box and click the “Search” button.
  3. You'll see results showing any individual whose name matches the keyword of your search.
  4. Go through the results until you see the exact individual name that you would like to check. Their ID number will be highlighted in red. Click it to continue.

All information made public by the Commission will be available.

Name Requirements for Arizona

Arizona law places restrictions on how to name corporations. This is under statute A.R.S. § 10-401. To legally name a corporation in the state, the business name must have any of the following words in the name:

  • Association
  • Bank 
  • Company
  • Corporation
  • Limited
  • Incorporated

Abbreviations of these words are acceptable as part of the corporation name.

As outlined in Section 10-301 and the corporation's Articles of Incorporation, the corporation name must not have language that states or indicates that the corporate entity is formed for a purpose outside of what's allowed.

The following words aren't allowed in a corporation name unless that corporation is or becomes substantially and seriously engaged in the banking, trust, or credit union business, or it's a holding company that has serious interest in other companies that are actively engaged in banking or trust:

  • Bank
  • Credit union
  • Deposit
  • Trust

This is to prevent a corporation from implying or convening it's operating in the banking or trust business when it doesn't actually do so.

No corporation can include the following words or abbreviations in its name (either in uppercase or lowercase):

  • Limited liability company
  • Limited company
  • L.L.C.
  • L.C.
  • LLC
  • LC

To give your business entity the best chance of securing a desired name, make sure you adhere to the state guidelines. Any corporation name you choose should be distinct and memorable so that potential customers can easily discover you.

If you're looking for public information on a corporation, it's easy and convenient to search for the information you need. You can get details on how to form a business entity as well as important details related to an entity you're interested in.

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