Key Takeaways

  • The California Secretary of State Business Search allows users to find information on corporations, LLCs, LPs, and LLPs registered or qualified to do business in the state.
  • A California corporation search helps verify entity status, registration date, and agent for service of process.
  • Users can search by entity name or registration number for precise results.
  • Conducting a name availability search ensures your desired business name isn’t already taken or too similar to another.
  • Business search results include key details such as entity status (active, suspended, dissolved) and filing history.
  • UpCounsel connects business owners with experienced attorneys who can assist with California business formation, compliance, and entity searches.

Anyone can perform an LLC California Search through the Business Entities section of the Secretary of State of California website, which is a free online search for records on any California Limited Liability Company (LLC).

What Companies Can Be Found in the California Secretary of State's Search?

Searches on the California Secretary of State's program bring up results for many types of organizations, including:

  • Limited Liability Company (LLC)
  • Limited Partnership (LP)
  • Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

What Information Is Available in a California Corporation Search

A California corporation search provides more than just the names of registered businesses. The Secretary of State’s database displays detailed public records for each entity, including:

  • Entity Name and Registration Number
  • Date of Formation or Registration
  • Business Type (Corporation, LLC, LP, or LLP)
  • Entity Status (Active, Suspended, Dissolved, or Forfeited)
  • Jurisdiction (California or foreign registration)
  • Registered Agent’s Name and Address
  • Principal Office Address
  • Filing History, which lists articles of incorporation, amendments, or statements of information filed with the state.

This information helps users confirm whether a company is authorized to operate in California, track compliance status, or identify the registered agent for service of legal documents.

Why Search for a Business?

Searching for an LLC can help you find information about when the company was formed, its registration process, conversion date, status, and the name and address of an agent of the company. If you need to check to see if a company name is available, this isn't the right search.

Benefits of Conducting a California Corporation Search

Performing a California corporation search is beneficial for entrepreneurs, investors, and consumers alike. Common reasons include:

  • Due Diligence: Verify a company’s legal existence and standing before entering into contracts or partnerships.
  • Compliance Monitoring: Check whether your own entity’s filings are current to avoid suspension.
  • Trademark Protection: Ensure your business name or brand doesn’t conflict with an existing registered entity.
  • Service of Process: Identify the correct registered agent for serving legal papers.
  • Transparency: Access corporate filing history to understand a company’s structure and longevity.

The search serves as an essential step in confirming credibility, avoiding name conflicts, and supporting informed business decisions.

How to Name Your Business with a California Corporations Search

Before you decide the name of your new corporation, be sure to run a California corporation lookup to make sure another business isn't using your desired name. A search can show if other corporations in California have the same name, but it won't search through LLCs. If the search shows that another company exists with the same name or one that is very similar, or if your chosen name is misleading to the public, the name for your new corporation won't be approved.

Common Reasons a Business Name May Be Rejected

When using the California corporation search to verify name availability, be aware that certain names are not permitted under state law. The Secretary of State may reject a proposed name if it:

  • Is too similar to an existing entity name.
  • Misleads the public into thinking the company is affiliated with a government agency.
  • Includes restricted words such as “Bank,” “Trust,” or “Insurance” without authorization.
  • Contains improper punctuation or special characters that make the name unclear.
  • Fails to include a proper corporate identifier, such as “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Inc.,” or “Corp.” for corporations and “LLC” or “L.L.C.” for limited liability companies.

Before filing, always verify your desired name through the Secretary of State’s search tool and submit multiple name options to improve approval chances.

How to Search for an LLC

In order to get the right results, put the company's initials together; A.B.C. Company should really be ABC Company in the search. Keep spaces between initials if they exist in the company you are searching for but remove the periods between the spaces, so that it looks like A B C Company instead of A. B. C. Company.

Spaces matter in the search, so type the company name into the search bar with the correct spaces just as you want it to appear; ABC Company won't show results for A B C Company. If you want results for a company with a plural name, search for it exactly as written; a search for ABC Service won't bring up results for ABC Services.

Tips for Accurate California Business Searches

The California corporation and LLC search tool is sensitive to spelling, spacing, and punctuation. To ensure accurate results:

  • Use the exact spelling of the entity’s legal name.
  • Remove punctuation marks like commas, apostrophes, or periods.
  • Avoid using “LLC” or “Inc.” unless searching specifically for that suffix.
  • Try partial names if unsure of the full legal name.
  • If searching by number, use the correct 12-digit (LLC) or 8-digit (Corporation) entity number format.

The system is not case-sensitive, but spacing errors or extra words may produce no results. Reviewing multiple variations of a name helps ensure comprehensive results.

How to Search for an Available Name

In order to see if your desired company name is available, you have to complete a Name Availability Inquiry Letter.

Complete the form with the following information:

  • Name of person requesting information
  • Firm name
  • Requester's address, phone number, and fax number
  • Company name
  • First, second, and third choices for a name

The forms should be sent to the address below. You will receive confirmation when the search has been completed.

Secretary of State

Name Availability Unit

1500 11th Street, 3rd Floor

Sacramento, CA 95814

How to Perform a California LLC Search

To search for a California LLC, go to the California Secretary of State's website, then select the Business Search page and choose Limited Liability Company/Limited Partnership Name. If you know the 12-digit-number the LLC is registered within California, enter it in the search bar; if not, search with the company's name.

How to Interpret Search Results

After submitting a query, the search results display all entities matching your criteria. Each listing typically includes the company name, entity number, and status. Clicking a result opens a detailed record containing:

  • Date of Formation or registration
  • Jurisdiction (Domestic or Foreign)
  • Current Status (Active, Suspended, Dissolved)
  • Registered Agent Information
  • Principal Address
  • Document Filing History, including Statements of Information and amendments.

If the entity is suspended or forfeited, it means the company failed to meet state tax or filing obligations. Only active entities are in good standing and authorized to transact business in California.

Searching by Company Name

To search by the company's name, select if you are searching for a corporation or an LLC/LLP/LP and enter the company's name. The results will include all companies matching the search terms and show the name, entity number, and status of the company. To see more details, click on the name of a company in the results.

The details page for each company will show information including:

  • Company name
  • Entity number
  • Date filed
  • Status
  • Jurisdiction
  • Company address
  • Agent's name
  • Agent's address

Searching by 8-Digit Entity Number

To search by entity number, enter the eight-digit number in the search bar using a Cxxxxxxxx format. The results will show the company associated with the number. Click on the company name to see more details.

Name Requirements for California LLC Search

An LLC name search must end with Limited Liability Company, L.L.C., or LLC, so a search for an LLC that wants to be called Kate's Pet Service should be filed as Kate's Pet Service, LLC. The LLC name can't include anything to imply it is a corporation, such as the words Corporation, Incorporated, Corp., or Inc.

Additional Resources for California Corporation Search

The California Secretary of State provides several tools to assist with business entity research:

  • Business Search Portal: https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business
  • Name Availability Unit: Handles formal name inquiries and reservations.
  • Certified Records Request: For official copies of business filings or certificates of status.
  • Statements of Information: Must be updated every one or two years depending on the entity type.

If you’re forming a new corporation or LLC, completing a thorough California corporation search is the first step in avoiding delays or name conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the California corporation search free to use?

Yes. The Secretary of State’s online database is free and available to the public for business entity searches.

2. What’s the difference between the California corporation search and the name availability inquiry?

The corporation search retrieves records of existing entities, while the name availability inquiry determines if a proposed name can be registered.

3. Can I search for foreign corporations doing business in California?

Yes. The search includes foreign entities registered to operate within the state, along with their registration details.

4. How often is the California corporation search database updated?

The database is updated regularly as new filings are processed, but users should verify critical information directly with the Secretary of State for the latest status.

5. Can I download official records or certificates from the site?

Yes. You can request certified copies or certificates of status through the Secretary of State’s website for an additional fee.

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