KEY TAKEAWAYS 

  •  Most states make LLC ownership public, but states like Delaware, Wyoming, Nevada, and New Mexico keep it private.  

  • You can search for LLC ownership on the Secretary of State's website. 

  • If you can't find ownership info online, you can file a public records request, contact the registered agent, or hire a legal professional.

How to Find an LLC Owner: Everything You Need to Know

Want to discover the identity of the owners of an LLC? Whether you're doing business with them, researching, or just curious, unraveling the ownership of an LLC doesn't have to be a puzzle. Many state regulations promote transparency in business ownership. So, LLC ownership details are public and easy to obtain. This guide will show you how to find the people behind most LLCs. It will help you navigate state websites.

Is the Owner of an LLC Public Record?

Yes, in most cases, LLC ownership is part of the public record. LLCs must register with the state they operate in. Most state rules require transparency in business ownership. The good news is that this info is often just a few clicks away. It's usually on the Secretary of State's website. While details may vary by state, these filings usually show ownership info, like the names of members or managers.

However, it’s important to note that each state handles this in a distinct manner. Most states make LLC owner info easy to find, but some states are considered business/ corporate secrecy havens. In states like Delaware, Wyoming, Nevada, and New Mexico the owners of businesses are kept private. So, finding out who owns establishments in any of these states will likely require the help of an attorney or investigator. 

How to Find an LLC Owner Online

Let's discuss the steps to find LLC ownership details online. It's often the easiest way to access this information.

1) Visit the Secretary of State Website

The first place to look is your state's Secretary of State website. It handles business registrations. Most states have online business search tools where you can look up LLCs by name.

2) Enter the LLC Name

Make sure you have the full legal name of the LLC you’re searching for. This ensures the best search results. Even small differences in the name can affect the results. Enter the name into the search tool.

3) Access Ownership Information

 Once you’ve located the LLC, click through to its business filings. You can often find ownership info in the Articles of Organization or Annual Reports. They list the names of the members (owners) or managers.

Searching LLC Public Records

LLCs are required to file documents with the state as part of their registration process. These filings become public records. They give anyone access to important details about the business, including:

  • Names of the LLC’s members or managers.

  • Business addresses.

  • The LLC’s current status (active, dissolved, etc.).

You can usually access public records using the Secretary of State's business search tools. Just enter the LLC name. You'll usually see the needed filings, including ownership info.

Can You Find Out Who Owns an LLC?

In most states, yes! You can usually find out who owns an LLC by searching public records. States provide ownership info in documents like the Articles of Organization. This is filed when the LLC is formed. You’ll often find the names of the members or managers in these filings.

However, if the ownership isn't listed, you may need to do more. You might have to contact the registered agent or request detailed state records. In rare cases, you might need to work with legal professionals to get this information.

Finding LLC Owners in Different States

The process of finding LLC owners varies from state to state. Some states are more transparent, making ownership details easily accessible online. Others, like Delaware, are more restrictive. To find the owner of an out-of-state LLC, use that state's Secretary of State website to search. If the LLC is a "foreign entity," check its original state for the ownership info.

What to Do If You Can’t Find LLC Owner Information Online

If you're stuck searching online, don't worry. You can still find LLC ownership details. We'll walk you through a few ways to do this below.

  1. File a Public Records Request. If you can't find ownership info online, request it from the state. Some states charge a fee, but this method usually gets you the records you need.
  2. Contact the Registered Agent. The registered agent is a contact on LLC filings. While they may not always provide ownership details, they can help you get in touch with someone who can.
  3. Work with a Legal Professional. If the search gets complicated, consider hiring a business lawyer. They can help with state-specific processes, especially in Delaware, Wyoming, Nevada, and New Mexico. Its rules are stricter.