Key Takeaways

  • You can usually find LLC details (owners, registered agents, formation date, status, etc.) through your state’s Secretary of State database.
  • Advanced search strategies, such as using alternative spellings and filtering by business type, can improve your results.
  • If online records don’t show owner names, you can request official filings, such as Articles of Organization or annual reports, which may contain that information.
  • Many states allow you to order certified documents, status reports, or certificates of good standing online for legal or business verification purposes.
  • If you need deeper details (e.g., ownership structure, tax classification, or amendments), you can access public filings beyond basic search results.

Knowing how to find an LLC is beneficial when you need to identify a potential customer or new competitor. Fortunately, a simple search of state records provides you with all the information you need about an LLC's owner and registered agent.

An Overview of Finding an LLC's Owner

Many businesses, large and small, operate under a limited liability company (LLC) structure. Performing a state record search allows you to research an LLC by seeing who is involved in the business and how you can better develop an updated competitive strategy to stay relevant in your industry.

Every LLC must register with a state agency. Because of this fact, your state may maintain a searchable database of LLC information online, allowing anyone to research a company's information to see if that LLC is in good standing. You can find this information on your Secretary of State's website or with the Department of Commerce. Search for a section pertaining to filings, business services, or database searches to begin.

If an LLC owner's name isn't listed in any database, you can file an Information Request with the Secretary of State. You will need to submit a written request for public documents and registrations and pay any required fees for the state agency to conduct the search for you and mail you the results.

Next, validate the information you receive from your search. In some cases, an LLC may have a point of contact who is an attorney instead of the actual business owner. When this occurs, you must get in touch with the registered contact person and continue your search from there.

Some states require all owners, or LLC members, to be listed on the business registration. Others only maintain records for the individual who filed documents. Depending on where you live and where you are researching an LLC, you may need to conduct further research to obtain more information.

Understanding the Role of Articles of Organization

When learning how to find an LLC, one of the most important documents to know about is the Articles of Organization. This is the foundational filing submitted to the state to legally create an LLC. It contains essential business details such as:

  • The LLC’s official name and formation date
  • The business’s principal address
  • The name and contact information of the registered agent
  • Information on the LLC’s management structure (member- or manager-managed)
  • The business’s purpose or scope of operations

Most state databases either provide direct access to these filings or allow you to request them for a small fee. Reviewing the Articles of Organization is often the fastest way to confirm the company’s legitimacy and gather ownership details that might not appear in a standard database search.

Finding an LLC Owner Online

The first step toward finding an LLC owner online is to visit your Secretary of State's website. Just be sure you're conducting your search with the state office in which the LLC conducts business. If the company conducts business in multiple states, it should be registered in each state.

If you run into trouble, contact the Secretary of State and request the LLC's official name. You can even request a list of all registered businesses in the state, but most agencies charge a fee for this list.

Many Secretary of State databases allow you to view an LLC's Articles of Organization on the website. When provided, the Articles of Organization will list all relevant information regarding the LLC, including the members, the LLC's street address, and the name of its registered agent. If the Articles of Organization isn't available, view all available documents for information about the LLC's filing history.

Searching for Additional Public Filings

If the LLC’s Articles of Organization do not list enough owner details, you can often find more information in subsequent filings that are publicly available. These may include:

  • Annual reports: These usually update ownership or management details.
  • Amendment filings: If the company changed its name, address, or management, these records will reflect it.
  • Statements of information: Some states require detailed disclosures about members and managers.

Many states allow you to download these documents online. If not, you can request copies by mail or in person from the state’s business filings office. In some cases, the registered agent listed in the original filing can also provide updated ownership information if contacted directly.

LLC Search Tips

There are several tips to keep in mind when performing your LLC search:

  • Do not include punctuation, even if the LLC name you're looking for includes initials
  • Spaces matter, so enter the same LLC name as many ways as possible (i.e., “XYZ Company” and “X Y Z Company”)
  • Plurals will also impact search results, so make sure you're entering plurals precisely how the LLC was registered (i.e., “XYZ Companies” vs. “XYZ Company”)
  • Select any available advanced search options to narrow your results to LLCs
  • Searching the entire range of business structures, including corporations and partnerships, may provide relevant information, such as LLC members who are part of other companies
  • Review the search tips on your Secretary of State's website for specific information about how to enter the LLC name you're looking for

After you've obtained the information regarding the LLC in question, you can then perform additional searches on individual members.

What to Do if Your Search Returns No Results

Sometimes, your LLC search may not return any matches, even if you know the business exists. This is common if the company:

  • Uses a "doing business as" (DBA) name that differs from its legal name.
  • Is registered in another state (foreign LLC) but operates locally.
  • Recently changed its legal name, and the database hasn’t updated.

If you encounter this, try the following:

  • Search for related entities like parent companies or managing members.
  • Look up trademark registrations, which often list the legal business entity.
  • Check business licenses or tax filings with local agencies.
  • Use federal databases, such as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or SEC filings, if applicable.

Taking these additional steps can help you find the LLC even if standard searches don’t work.

Obtain Status Reports, Document Copies, or Certificates

Once you've performed your search, you may want to request a status report, copies of a certain document, or a certificate. For instance, you may need a Certificate of Status which certifies the LLC's current status.

Additional documents you may want to obtain include:

  • Formation documents
  • Registration documents
  • Amendment documents
  • Termination documents
  • Statements of information

To obtain these documents, you will need to fill out the appropriate form with your Secretary of State. The website should provide instructions on submitting document requests as well as a list of applicable fees, but you can also contact the Secretary of State directly for this information.

Using LLC Information for Legal and Business Purposes

Once you’ve found the LLC and gathered the necessary documents, that information can serve several important purposes, including:

  • Verifying legitimacy: Ensure a potential partner or client is properly registered and in good standing.
  • Due diligence: Assess competitors, prospective vendors, or acquisition targets.
  • Legal compliance: Provide documentation for lawsuits, contracts, or government filings.
  • Business planning: Understand an LLC’s structure and history to better evaluate market risks and opportunities.

Knowing how to find an LLC and access its official records helps you make informed business decisions, comply with legal requirements, and minimize potential risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can I find an LLC owner’s name online for free?
    Yes, many states list ownership or management details in public filings accessible through the Secretary of State’s website. However, some states only show the registered agent, requiring a records request for more details.
  2. What if the LLC is registered in another state?
    Search the Secretary of State database in each state where the LLC operates. Most companies must register as a foreign LLC in every state where they do business.
  3. Are Articles of Organization public documents?
    Yes. In most states, Articles of Organization are public and can be accessed online or requested from the state’s business filing office.
  4. Can I find financial information about an LLC?
    Not typically. LLCs are private entities and do not have to disclose financial information publicly unless they are publicly traded or involved in legal proceedings.
  5. What’s the difference between a registered agent and an LLC owner?
    A registered agent is the company’s official contact for legal documents, while the owners (members) hold equity and control business decisions. Sometimes the registered agent is also a member, but not always.

If you need additional help understanding how to find an LLC, post your job 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.