Understanding how to conduct a thorough LLC search is crucial if you’re considering forming an LLC or want to learn about other LLCs.
Equipping yourself with these valuable insights allows you to make informed decisions and ensure transparency in your business dealings.
As experts in business research and legal databases, we have compiled a comprehensive guide on how to look up an LLC effectively.
This blog post will guide you through looking up an LLC. We’ll discuss the process of accessing and interpreting important information.
Quick Summary
- To look up an LLC effectively, start by visiting the Secretary of State's website for the state where the LLC is registered and use their existing business database or advanced search function
- Verify the LLC's status as active, inactive, dissolved, or suspended, and explore additional information such as registration date, registered agent details
- Conducting a thorough LLC search is essential for those interested in forming or learning about LLCs
How to Look Up an LLC
Researching an LLC can provide you with valuable insights into its legitimacy, ownership, and overall standing.
Here are the steps you can follow:
1. Start with the Secretary of State's Website
The Secretary of State's office maintains business records. This includes records for LLCs at the state level [1].
You’ll first visit the official website of the Secretary of State for the state where the LLC is registered. Look for a dedicated section or search function to access the business entity database.
2. Conduct a Business Entity Search
You’ll then navigate to the search function on the website to perform a business search.
Enter the LLC name you're looking up, and then choose the appropriate search parameters.
The database will provide you with information such as:
- LLC's legal name
- Registration date
- Status
- Registered agent details
3. Verify the LLC's Status
The next step is to be critical of the LLC's status. Common types of status you will get are "Active," "Inactive," "Dissolved," or "Suspended."
You’ll get an active status if the LLC is currently in operation. On the other hand, an inactive or dissolved status might suggest that the LLC is no longer active.
A suspended status implies the LLC failed to comply with certain requirements or obligations.
4. Check for Additional Information
Explore the provided details to gather more information about the LLC.
Look for additional data, such as the LLC's principal address, mailing address, and member names.
Some state databases may include filing history, LLC annual reports, and any past or pending legal actions involving the LLC.
How to Look Up an LLC - Custom State Guides
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Where to Look Up an LLC
You can consult several reliable sources to get more information about an LLC.
These sources provide accurate and up-to-date data, enabling you to gather relevant details about the LLC you're interested in.
1. State Government Websites
Each state in the United States maintains a dedicated website where you can access information on registered businesses, including LLCs [2].
These websites often have searchable databases that allow you to find LLCs by name, registration number, or other relevant search criteria.
Simply visit the official website of the state government where the LLC is registered and look for the business or corporation division.
2. Secretary of State Databases
Regardless of the state, all corporations, limited liability companies, and other business entities must be registered with Secretary of State databases [3].
The Secretary of State's office usually offers online business name search services for their business entity registrant database.
Therefore, you can look up an LLC entity name and easily perform an availability search by entering its entity name in the search bar.
If you're looking for business name accuracy, consider contacting the state's Department of Corporations or the Secretary of State's office directly.
Many states provide information on their website about requesting this type of information online.
If so, it is best to use these requests since accessing business name public records is free. On the other hand, requests sent through a third party cost money without guaranteeing that accuracy will increase.
You can also check if trade groups in your area represent registered businesses in similar fields.
3. Credit Bureaus
You can also gather business data, including information on LLC credit bureaus such as Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion [4].
Credit bureaus and business data companies provide records of registered businesses within the state.
This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), or limited partnerships.
These business name records include specific information about a business, such as its address, contact person, and company number, among other things.
Credit bureaus and business data companies can be found online or through local entity name listings. Remember that credit bureaus might require a subscription or a fee to access more detailed reports.
To find these records, first, you’ll need to understand the type of entity name you wish to research.
Once you decide, you’ll use the business name, SSN/EIN/FEI number, and location criteria to get the right information. These all come together to provide standardization across multiple searches.
4. Search Engines
You can use popular search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo when looking up an LLC.
By entering the LLC's name or any other relevant keywords on the search bar, you may find websites, news articles, or public records mentioning the LLC.
Search engines often give you results on corporations, limited liability companies, or limited partnerships and their websites.
If you’re searching on Google, it is more likely that the search engine displays search results on an official government page.
Once you find the business name online, you can browse its web page and find the information you seek.
5. Social Media
Social media platforms, particularly LinkedIn, can be valuable sources of information about LLCs.
You may find the exact business name and other important information about corporations, limited liability companies, or other business types, using these channels.
It's more effective than looking up different business name websites, as many of them may provide outdated information.
6. Business Associations
Various business associations and industry-specific organizations maintain directories or databases that list LLCs operating within a particular sector.
These associations can be an excellent resource for gathering information about LLCs within a specific industry.
Examples include chambers of commerce, trade associations, and professional organizations.
You can visit their websites or reach out to them directly if you want to inquire about the LLC you're interested in.
FAQs
How Do I Know if my LLC is Active?
You can know if your LLC is active by consulting the official business registry in your jurisdiction. It typically provides up-to-date information on active entities, including their legal status and registration details. Contact the relevant government agency or search their online database for accurate and reliable confirmation of your LLC's activity.
How Do I Check to See if an LLC Name is Available?
You can check if an LLC name is available by performing a search on the website of the state's Secretary of State office.
This search will provide information on whether the name is already registered by another company or if it is available for use.
Are LLC Owners Public Records?
In most cases, LLC owners are not considered public records. The privacy and limited liability protections offered by LLCs generally keep the ownership details confidential, unless specific state laws require disclosure for certain reasons or under certain circumstances.
How Do You Find Out Who the Partners Are in an LLC?
To find out who the partners are in an LLC look up the LLC Certificate of Organization (Articles of Organization) with the Secretary of State where the business was established.
These documents typically contain information about the LLC's partners, including their names and ownership percentages.
Looking Up an LLC
Starting a new LLC requires having a firm name. If you need more information about an LLC or want to know the status of an entity name, use these sources to look up an LLC.
Ensure your search is thorough because some states only have limited information on their websites. It applies to both LLCs and limited partnerships.
References:
- https://businessfilings.sc.gov/
- https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/managementinfofaqs.shtml
- https://sos.nh.gov/corporation-ucc-securities/corporation/business-name-lookup/
- https://www.score.org/resource/article/understanding-three-major-business-credit-bureaus
