Key Takeaways

  • An LLC status check in California is done through the Secretary of State’s business search tool, which provides registration details, status, and agent information.
  • Businesses can request official documents like certificates of status, no record, or amendments for compliance and proof of standing.
  • An LLC must remain in good standing by filing annual reports, paying fees, and updating business records; otherwise, it risks penalties or suspension.
  • Checking an LLC’s standing is critical before contracts, loans, or partnerships, as it confirms whether the business is authorized to operate.
  • California allows statutory conversion of an LLC to a corporation, transferring assets and liabilities in one streamlined process.

How to Look up an LLC in California

Checking an LLC status in California is easier when you use the business entities page on the secretary of state's website. This page includes functionality for a free business search, which can be conducted online and allows you to find information for any limited liability company (LLC) registered in California. You might need to search for a California LLC for several reasons. One reason is to find more information about a business in preparation for a service of process, while another is learning more about an LLC that is operating in the state.

By using the business search tool on the California secretary of state's website, it's easy to find important information, including:

  • LLC conversion date
  • How the entity is formed
  • When or how the business is registered
  • Business status
  • Business address
  • Registered agent's name and address

If you want to check the name availability for a business entity, this business search tool is not the right option.

Perform a search of existing LLCs in California by visiting the secretary of state website and navigating to Business Search. From there, you can choose the name option, which will search by business name. You can also search by the company's entity number if you have it. This number in California will be 12 digits.

Searching for the name of the LLC instead of the entity number is more challenging. Use these tips to improve your search and get the best possible results:

  • Don't include any punctuation. Punctuation includes any periods used in the name of the business. If the company name uses letters, such as A.B.C. Company, search for ABC Company instead.
  • If the business name includes letters or initials with punctuation and spaces, get rid of the punctuation but keep the space. For example, a company called A.B.C. Company should be searched as ABC Company (leaving the space where it is in the legal business name).
  • Using spacing and plural forms of words will impact the results of your search. If a company is called A B C Company, it likely would not show up if you searched for ABC Company. Make sure to leave any spaces in your search that exist in the company name.
  • Plural forms of words will also matter when you're looking at the list of results. For example, if a company is called ABC Services, you probably wouldn't find the business if you searched for ABC Service. Make sure to keep plural forms of words as they are listed in the business name.

Find additional tips for using this tool on the secretary of state's Search Tips page. The tips can help you refine or change the terms of your search to find exactly what you need to see.

After you find the necessary information, the next step is requesting the documentation on that business entity. Some of the important documentation includes:

  • Certificate of status
  • Certificate of no record
  • Certificate of filing
  • Informational statements
  • Termination documents
  • Registration/formation documents
  • Amendments to any legal documents

You can also look up the status reports of a business registered in the state. These status reports might include important information like the business address, legal name, file number, jurisdiction, and status. If you would like to request copies of these documents, reports, or certificates, you can complete the Business Entities Records — Order Form, found on the secretary of state website. The completed form should be mailed to or filed in person at the secretary of state's office, located in Sacramento.

Maintaining Good Standing in California

To avoid losing good standing, California LLCs must keep up with several compliance obligations, including:

  • Filing the Statement of Information every two years (or every year for certain LLCs).
  • Paying the annual franchise tax and, if applicable, LLC fees based on total income.
  • Keeping a registered agent on file with accurate contact information.
  • Updating the Secretary of State promptly with any changes in business address, members, or managers.

Failing to meet these requirements may result in suspension or penalties, which can restrict the LLC’s ability to operate and expose members to liability.

Certificates That Prove LLC Status

The California Secretary of State issues several certificates that formally confirm an LLC’s status:

  • Certificate of Status – Verifies that the LLC is authorized to conduct business in California and has complied with state requirements.
  • Certificate of No Record – Confirms that no LLC exists under a given name or number.
  • Certificate of Filing – Shows that specific documents (such as amendments or mergers) have been filed with the state.

These certificates are often required when an LLC applies for financing, enters into major contracts, or expands into other states. To order them, business owners can submit the Business Entities Records Order Form online, by mail, or in person.

Why an LLC Status Check Matters

An LLC status check is more than a routine search—it verifies whether a company is in good standing with the state. A California LLC in good standing has filed all required statements of information, paid annual franchise taxes, and maintained a valid registered agent. If an LLC fails to meet these obligations, the state may mark it as suspended, dissolved, or forfeited, limiting its ability to enter contracts, obtain financing, or defend itself in court.

For business owners, regularly checking status ensures compliance and prevents administrative dissolution. For third parties—such as vendors, lenders, or partners—it provides confidence that the business is legitimate and authorized to operate in California.

Converting an LLC to a Corporation in California

If you want to convert an LLC into a corporation, the process is relatively simple in California. This new and streamlined method involves completing and filing one document. The procedure is called statutory conversion, which transfers the liabilities and assets of the LLC over to the new corporation as part of the business entity change. What sets the statutory conversion process apart from other methods is the fact that the process involves just one business entity. You won't need to form a corporation through the filing of a separate form prior to the conversion taking place.

When to Consider Converting Your LLC

Business owners may decide to convert an LLC to a corporation when seeking venture capital investment, issuing stock, or expanding operations. Corporations often provide more flexibility for fundraising and equity distribution. However, corporations also have stricter governance requirements, including bylaws, director meetings, and more complex tax reporting.

Before converting, it is important to weigh the benefits of corporate structure against the relative simplicity and tax flexibility of an LLC. A legal or tax professional can help determine whether statutory conversion is the best path forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How do I perform an LLC status check in California?
    Use the California Secretary of State’s Business Search tool by entering the LLC’s name or 12-digit entity number.
  2. What does it mean if an LLC is “not in good standing”?
    It usually means the LLC has failed to file required reports, pay franchise taxes, or maintain an active registered agent.
  3. How much does it cost to request a Certificate of Status?
    The California Secretary of State charges a small fee (typically $5–$10) for issuing a Certificate of Status.
  4. Can an LLC continue operating if it is suspended?
    No. A suspended LLC cannot legally do business, enforce contracts, or defend itself in court until it resolves its compliance issues.
  5. Why would a business convert an LLC to a corporation?
    LLCs convert to corporations when seeking investors, issuing shares, or restructuring for tax or governance benefits.

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