Key Takeaways

  • You can look up an LLC in California through the Secretary of State’s Business Search tool to confirm name availability or view existing business details.
  • The online system allows searches by entity name, entity number, or agent name, providing information like business status, address, and filing history.
  • California requires LLC names to be unique, clear, and compliant with state naming rules, excluding misleading or restricted terms.
  • If your desired name is taken, the state offers a Name Reservation Request process to secure an available option before filing formation documents.
  • Use the Business Search portal to find existing LLCs or verify if your preferred name is distinguishable.
  • Understanding statuses (active, suspended, canceled, or forfeited) helps identify whether a name can be reused or if it’s still in use.

Look up LLC in California is a good first step to take when forming a limited liability company (LLC) to be sure that the name you want is available to use for your business. Businesses can be searched for in order to find important information. 

Basic LLC Name Requirements for California

Names of LLCs in California follow many of the same rules as other states. The basic requirements are:

  • Inclusion of some form of “limited liability company” or any of its abbreviations.
  • Avoidance of prohibited words.
  • Distinguishability from all other active businesses in California.

Steps to Look Up an LLC in California

To look up an LLC in California, visit the California Secretary of State’s Business Search page. This official database provides detailed records for corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships. You can search by:

  • Entity Name: Enter the full or partial name of the business.
  • Entity Number: Use the identification number assigned by the Secretary of State.
  • Agent Name: Search for the registered agent representing the business.

Each search result provides essential information such as the entity type, registration number, status, jurisdiction, and registered agent details. This is especially useful when checking name availability or verifying an LLC’s standing before engaging in business transactions.

Name Restrictions 

The state wants your LLC's name to be as easy to understand as possible to help potential clients or customers avoid confusion. You, therefore, cannot include the word "corporation" in the name because it may lead people to believe your business is a corporation, rather than an LLC. 

Similarly, the state doesn't want your company to be confused with a state or federal agency, so you'll also need to avoid words like "post office" and "police." 

LLCs cannot use words in their names that will lead customers to believe that they have permits or specialties that they do not have. For example, a hair salon should not be named Pamela's Dentistry. 

Name Availability and Reservation in California

If your preferred business name appears unavailable during your “look up LLC CA” search, it may already be registered or too similar to another. California’s Name Reservation Request Form allows business owners to reserve a name for 60 days before filing formation documents. This can be submitted:

  • Online through the California Secretary of State website.
  • By mail or in person using the Name Reservation Request form.

To improve approval chances, ensure your desired name:

  1. Complies with the state’s naming conventions.
  2. Avoids restricted or deceptive wording.
  3. Is sufficiently distinguishable from existing entities.

After confirming availability, you can use the same name during Articles of Organization filing to officially register your LLC.

Name Distinguishability 

California does not allow two businesses to have the same name, so you'll need to perform a California business search to look up LLC names in the state. If you find that another business is already using your desired name, you can't simply add a different designator to make the name different. A few examples of designators are:

  • Corp. 
  • LLC
  • LP
  • LC 
  • Inc. 

If you want to name your LLC Paige's Bookstore, but a Paige's Bookstore, Inc. already exists, you can't open a Paige's Bookstore, LLC. However, you could get a little creative and try something like Paige's Literature Loft, LLC instead. 

Minor differences in the grammar of the name do not count for distinguishability, so if you wanted to name your LLC The Ice Cream Parlor, but their was already a business in California under the name An Ice Cream Parlor, the name would be considered unavailable for use. Differences in plurals and possessives or conjunctions (like and, or, but, or an ampersand) also do not create distinguishability. 

Other small changes to an LLC name will not work for distinguishability like punctuation differences or spelled out numbers. For instance, if you were hoping to name your business 2 Peas in a Pod, but the name Two Peas in a Pod was already being used, it wouldn't be available. 

How to Interpret Business Search Results

When you look up LLC CA, each result includes status information critical to your decision:

  • Active: The LLC is in good standing and currently operates.
  • Suspended: The entity failed to meet state requirements such as tax filings.
  • Canceled: The business name is no longer active but may not yet be available for reuse.
  • Forfeited: The LLC voluntarily or involuntarily dissolved.

In addition to the status, you’ll find:

  • The entity number and formation date
  • The registered agent name and address
  • The principal office location
  • Filing history and related documents

If your search shows a similar name with any active or suspended status, you’ll need to select a more distinct name for your LLC filing.

Search Results

There are a few things to look for when you see the results of your California business name search:

  • Active status means that there is a business in the state currently using this name. 
  • Canceled status means that the name was canceled by either the LLC or state.
  • Suspended status means that the name is suspended because of missing annual fees.
  • Forfeited status means that the LLC abandoned this name.

Once you've performed the search, if your results display any of these statuses, you'll need to choose a different name for your business. 

Online Business Entity Search

If you visit the Secretary of State website for California, you'll find a simple, user-friendly search engine. Using this search, you can find:

  • Corporations
  • Limited liability companies (LLCs)
  • Limited partnerships (LPs)
  • Limited liability partnerships (LLPs)

You can type in the name of the business you are looking for or its entity number, if you know it. Once you find the business you are looking for, you'll see information like the registered agent's name and address, the entity number, and other information. 

On a different page, you will find the tools necessary to perform an official search for name availability when you're ready to name your business. You won't want to use the business search engine to check on the availability of a name in the state of California, because this search isn't made for that. You might think a name is available when it actually isn't because it doesn't show up in this search. 

To perform a search for name availability, you'll need to submit a form. Once this form is submitted, the search results previously mentioned will be displayed, and you can proceed with the process of naming your business.

Additional Tools for California Business Verification

Beyond checking LLC name availability, California’s Business Search offers downloadable PDFs of official filings, including Statements of Information, amendments, and dissolution forms. These public records can confirm a company’s formation date, current officers or managers, and whether it remains in good standing.

For comprehensive verification:

  • Visit the Business Programs Division portal on the Secretary of State’s site.
  • Use the Entity Number Search for quick access to specific companies.
  • Review filing histories for compliance and good standing.

This research helps entrepreneurs, investors, and legal professionals verify the legitimacy of business entities before entering agreements or transactions. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I check if an LLC name is available in California? Use the California Secretary of State’s Business Search tool to look up LLC names. If your desired name doesn’t appear, you can reserve it for 60 days.

2. Can I search by a business owner’s name? Yes. You can search by the registered agent’s or individual’s name associated with an LLC through the Business Search system.

3. What does “suspended” mean in a business search? A suspended status indicates the LLC failed to meet state requirements, such as filing fees or taxes, and cannot legally conduct business until reinstated.

4. Can I use a canceled or forfeited LLC name? Once the state releases the name, it may become available. However, confirm availability by performing another official business name search.

5. Where can I find official filings for a California LLC? All LLC filings, including formation documents and Statements of Information, are accessible through the Secretary of State’s online database and can be downloaded for public viewing.

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