Checking Business Licenses
The Secretary of State’s search website lets you look up business licenses in California for free. You can search for LLCs, corporations, or partnerships using the name, company, or license number. Counties and cities also require local business licenses for tax purposes. Fees vary but often cost $50-$100. You may need licenses from multiple cities if you have several locations.
How to Search for Business Records
To search for business entities, you can visit the Secretary of State’s search website. This free service allows you to lookup LLCs, corporations, or partnerships. Additionally, for sole proprietorships or partnerships, you can check the Fictitious Business Name filings at the county clerk’s office where the business is located.
Articles of Incorporation and Statements by Foreign Corporations are public records. To look up members of an LLC, search a state’s online database where you may find details like Annual Reports.
This database contains records of every entity registered to do business in California, accessible at: https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business. Enter the filing number or business name and select search to obtain more information such as registration date, status, and agent.
The state will approve your California LLC in 3-5 business days, or up to 6-7 days during the busy season from December through January.
Finding Business Entity Information
Unique branding for your LLC is vital. Verify LLC name availability to ensure your filing isn’t rejected for using an already existing name or one that doesn’t abide by CA rules.
You can use the CA business search tool or submit a Business Entities Records Request Form to look up your corporation or DBA. Corporate information is usually found on the Secretary of State’s website or Department of Commerce.
The Secretary of State’s website and Department of Consumer Affairs provide business license checks, including DBA name searches.
You can search using various keywords, such as Business entity search California, Entity search California, or California entity search.
Remember to make sure your business name is available as a website domain. It’s recommended to search available domains and secure your URL, as well as search for potential trademarks.
Public records of businesses, including a company’s name or ID number, are accessible online. Conducting a Secretary of State business search is possible by entering a license number, person’s name, company name, and state.
Business entities are typically assigned a seven-digit corporation number or 12-digit file number, which can be found on the Secretary of State’s website or by contacting them directly.
If registering a corporation, remember to perform a name search and follow naming guidelines before filling out the registration documents.
For additional information, including verifying certified copies of business entities and accessing relief resources, one can look at the Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector’s Notice of Split Publication.