How to Look Up an LLC in Florida? (Step by Step Guide)

Published by Jon Morgan | Co-Founder & Chief Editor

Last updated: April 24, 2026

FACT CHECKED by Lou Viveros, Growth & Transition Advisor

Methodology
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If you're planning to name and establish an LLC in Florida, or you need to track down a specific company or service, Florida makes it pretty easy — you can search online and pull up the key details you need in minutes.

Our team has directly tested Florida's LLC lookup systems and walked business owners through the process of searching for and verifying company information. We've also consulted with attorneys and legal advisors along the way, so what you'll find in this guide is grounded in real hands-on experience — not just theory.

Here's exactly how to look up a Florida LLC.

Quick Summary

How to Look Up an LLC in Florida

Florida is one of the busiest states for new business formation in the country — the US Small Business Administration reported that between March 2021 and March 2022, 118,431 establishments opened in Florida alone [1]. With that volume, knowing how to verify a business quickly isn't just useful, it's something you'll likely need at some point.

Running a business search is usually the first move — whether you're vetting a potential partner, checking name availability, or confirming a company actually exists.

There are a few ways to do it.

1. Use the Florida Secretary of State Search Tool

The fastest route is through the Florida Department of State's Division of Corporations website. It's free, available around the clock, and covers LLCs, corporations, and other registered entities.

I've used this tool dozens of times when helping clients verify businesses before signing contracts — it's reliable and pulls up current registration data.

Here's how to run a search:

1. Go to the Florida Department of State's Division of Corporations website.
2. Click "Search Records" from the main navigation menu on the homepage.
3. Choose your search method — you can search by name, filing number, registered agent name, trademark name, EIN, street address, or zip code [2].
4. Select your entity type, enter the search criteria, and hit "Search."

If the LLC exists in Florida, you'll get a list of results showing the entity's name, mailing address, filing number, document number, status, registered agent details, and formation date. It's more information than most people expect.

Bonus Tip: Searching for a DBA Name

I've run into this one personally — you only have a DBA name and no idea what the actual LLC behind it is called. It feels like a dead end, but it's not.

Head to the Fictitious Names section of the SunBiz.org website. From there, you can search using the owner's name, FEIN, or registration number and trace it back to the underlying entity.

a. Search by Name or Fictitious Name (DBA)

If you know the LLC's name — even just part of it — this is your quickest option. Type the name into the search bar and click "Search."

Results will show the company's filing number, mailing address, document number, status, principal address, and formation date.

"You can look for an LLC using its legal name, alternative name, or former name by using the 'Name' search option. You can also use this option to conduct a partial name search."

- LJ Viveros, Distinguished Growth & M&A Transition Advisor, Former General Manager

So if you type "ABC" into the search field, you'll get back every LLC in Florida with "ABC" anywhere in the name. That partial search feature is more useful than it sounds — I've tracked down companies that way when I only had a fragment of the name.

b. Search by Registered Agent Name

If you know who the LLC's registered agent is, you can search that way too. Enter the Florida registered agent's name into the "Registered Agent" field and click "Search."

One thing to watch: individual names need to be entered as last name first, then first name, then middle initial. Partial names are fine — the system will work with what you give it.

C. Search by the FEIN/EIN

The FEIN — also called the Federal Employer Identification Number — is a unique nine-digit number the IRS assigns to a business, essentially the equivalent of a Social Security number for an LLC.

To use it, enter the number into the "FEIN/EIN" search field and click "Search."

2. Call the State

You can call the Florida Department of State to ask questions about the LLC you're interested in.

There was a time when I needed more details than what the online search provided, so I decided to call the Florida Department of State directly.

Speaking to someone at the Division of Corporations was incredibly helpful. They answered all my questions about the LLC I was interested in.

The Division of Corporations phone number is 850-245-6000 and they operate from 8 am to 5 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.

3. Send an Email

Another way to look up an LLC in Florida is to send an email to the Florida Department of State. Their email is CorpHelp@dos.myflorida.com.

4. Research Domain Name Availability

As part of your LLC research, check whether the company has secured its corresponding web domain. You can search for domain availability using registrars like Namecheap. Enter the LLC's name followed by common extensions like .com, .net, or .org.

This research can reveal:

• Whether the LLC maintains an online presence
• Potential trademark or branding conflicts
• The company's digital footprint

An active website domain often indicates a more established business presence, which can be valuable information when assessing potential partners or competitors.

Note: The LLC might operate under a different web address or have registered multiple domain variations for brand protection.

5. Other Business Entity Search Alternatives

In addition to the primary method of using the Florida Department of State's Division of Corporations website for LLC searches, there are alternative strategies you can employ to uncover essential information about a business entity in Florida.

• Search Engines: Beyond Google, consider using Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yandex for your search queries. These engines can sometimes offer different results or highlight information not immediately apparent on Google. Use specific search operators like "site:" to narrow down results to relevant business directories or news articles about the LLC.
• Social Media Platforms: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are invaluable for researching businesses. LinkedIn is particularly useful for professional and business-related searches, offering insights into the company's employees, their roles, and network connections. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can provide information on the company's branding, customer engagement, and latest news or updates.
• Industry-Specific Databases: Depending on the LLC's sector, there may be databases tailored to that industry. For example, Crunchbase and AngelList are excellent for startups and tech companies, providing details on funding rounds, key personnel, and company milestones. For restaurants, platforms like Yelp and TripAdvisor offer customer reviews and operational insights.
• Local Business Directories: Websites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Chamber of Commerce, and local business associations often list LLCs and provide reviews, accreditation statuses, and contact information. These sources can reveal the company's standing in the local business community and any customer service issues.
• Public Records and Legal Databases: Platforms like PACER (for accessing U.S. federal court records) or local county court websites can provide legal filings that mention the LLC, offering insights into litigation history, trademarks, and patents. This information can be crucial for understanding the legal standing and intellectual property assets of a business.

Related Articles:

• Premium LLC Formation Services in Florida
• How To Close an LLC in Florida
• How Long Does It Take to Form an LLC in Florida

How to Check If A Business Name Is Trademarked in Florida

Checking for trademark conflicts is a step a lot of first-time founders skip — and it can come back to bite them. Here's how to do it at both the federal and state level:

1. Federal Trademark Check (Through the USPTO)

The USPTO handles federal trademark registrations. Go to their official website and find the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS).

TESS lets you search the full database of registered trademarks and pending applications — including marks that could block your registration if there's a likelihood of confusion.

Search the name you want to use, then go through the results carefully. Don't just look for exact matches. Similar names in related industries can be enough to cause a conflict.

Note: Pay close attention to the goods and services listed for each trademark — that context matters when assessing whether there's a real conflict.

2. State Trademark Check (Through the Florida Department of State)

Florida has its own trademark registry, separate from the federal system. Find the trademark search tool on the Florida Department of State's website and search for both active and inactive trademarks registered at the state level.

Enter your desired business name and review any results that look similar. Just like the federal search, look at what categories of goods and services are covered — two businesses can share similar names if they operate in completely different industries, but you'll want a legal opinion if it's close.

Reasons to Perform a Search

Performing a trademark search before using or registering a new business name, logo, or slogan is crucial for several reasons:

• Avoid legal issues: Identifying potential conflicts with existing trademarks can help you avoid costly legal disputes over trademark infringement.
• Ensure uniqueness: A search helps ensure that your brand is unique, reducing the risk of confusion with other brands in the market.
• Protect your brand: By ensuring your trademark is unique and registrable, you can secure legal protection that helps safeguard your brand identity and reputation.
• Save time and resources: Discovering a conflict after you've invested in marketing or product development can be costly. A preliminary search helps avoid such wasted expenditures.
• Strategic planning: Understanding the landscape of similar trademarks can inform your branding strategy and help you position your brand effectively.
• Compliance with registration requirements: A search can help ensure that your trademark application will not be rejected due to a likelihood of confusion with an existing trademark, speeding up the registration process.
• Market research: The search process can also provide valuable insights into your market, including trends and the positioning of competitors.
• Enhance Brand Value: A unique and legally protected trademark can significantly increase the value of your brand, making it a more attractive asset in the event of a business sale, merger, or acquisition.

FAQs

Looking up a Florida LLC is fast once you know where to go. The Division of Corporations search tool does most of the heavy lifting — and between searching by name, registered agent, or EIN, you've got multiple ways to find what you need.

If you hit a wall, the Fictitious Names search is your backup. It's saved me more than once.

References:

1. https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-Small-Business-Economic-Profile-FL.pdf
2. https://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/ByName