To do a CA LLC lookup, refer to the California Business Search. You may have a various reasons why you need to search for a California LLC, most notably the status of a particular LLC. In addition, you may also need to look for information about an LLC to conduct a service process. Using the search engine, you may find such information as:

  • Entity creation
  • Registration
  • Address
  • Status
  • Conversion date
  • Name/Address of registered agent

It’s worth noting that a business search is not the best search if you have to search for the name of an LLC, corporation, or limited partnership. Individuals may also search by the name of the business or its entity number.

To conduct an LLC search in California, you may search the business search menu located on the California Secretary of state website. Choose the option that says “Limited Liability Company/Limited Partnership Name.” You may enter an entity number, which is usually a 12-digit number, or you may enter the name itself within search engine. From there, you may use the radio button in the “Limited Liability Company/Limited Partnership Name” to look for a California-based LLC. Also, you can use the radio button in regards to an entity number to search for the same California LLC.

If you are searching via entity name, you should use unique words and leave out punctuation.

  • Note: The search engine algorithm will not acknowledge common words, such as “Limited,” “LLC,” and “California.”

From there, choose the entity name you wish to search for. The results page will display the following:

  • Filing date
  • Status
  • Registered agent

Moreover, choosing the entity name will show LLC records you wish to find. Such records include:

  • Entity number
  • Entity name
  • Filing date
  • Jurisdiction
  • Status
  • Entity address
  • Registered agent
  • Agent address

You may also obtain a certified copy of LLC records using an entity number.

You can also file your search request via mail, or you may submit a request in person.

  • Note: Mailing address for the Secretary of State: Certification and Records, P.O. Box 944260, Sacramento, CA 94244.

If you choose to make a records request in person, go to 1500 11th St., Third Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814. A record request costs $10. The results for a pre-existing company name could show the following:

  • Cancelled
  • Active
  • Forfeited
  • Suspended

In addition, you can see other statuses, but the aforementioned factors are the most common results.

The Naming Process

The first step in creating a California LLC is to check to see if name is available. To do so, you must compare your desired name to names already registered in the database. You’ll see the following results displayed when it comes to name results:

  • Cancelled
  • Active
  • Forfeited
  • Suspended

If an active status shows up, this means that the company exists and is not available. A cancelled status means that California authorities or the business owner has cancelled the LLC name. Suspended means that the LLC is in suspension for failing to meet the annual tax mandates. Forfeited means that the owner has abandoned the name. Any status that says forfeited, cancelled, or suspended is not available to use. To remain on the safe side, however, you should make the name as distinct as possible.

Moreover, you should make sure that the name is short because most people remember shorter names. Also, ensure that the name is positive in nature. You want to leave consumers and clients with a good feeling upon hearing your business name.

When searching for a name instead of not the entity number, you should keeping various tips in mind to get the best search results. It’s also vital not to include the punctuation in the search engine:

  • Avoid using periods or punctuation in your search term. You need to also group initials in unison. For instance, when looking for A.B.C. Company, enter “ABC Company” in the search bar.
  • If the entity name on your radar includes initials, followed by a spaces or periods, you must get rid of the periods and maintain spaces. For instance, when looking for A.B.C Company, use “A B C Company” in the search bar. 

To know more about CA LLC lookup, submit your legal inquiry to our UpCounsel marketplace. UpCounsel’s lawyers have graduated from some of the best law schools in the country and will help you find the information you may be looking for. In addition, they will help you find the right LLC records so you can find the right owners or businesses.