Indicators of a Corporation
To determine if a company is a corporation, you can:
- Talk to the manager or owner to find out if the business has a board of directors or was formed by the filing of articles of incorporation.
- Use your state’s corporations registry to look it up.
Checking LLC Name Availability and Status
To check if an LLC name is available or to confirm a company’s LLC status, you can:
- Perform a search on the website of the state’s Secretary of State office.
- If you have filed articles of organization, you may be wondering if your LLC has been approved. You will be notified usually by mail. You can also do a business name search on your state’s website.
In states such as Arizona, out-of-state companies must register before doing business there. For details on procedures for developing an LLC and specific rules, it is recommended to seek advice from a lawyer or an accountant.
You can find your Company Registration Number (CRN) on your certificate of incorporation and any official documentation from Companies House.
To check a company’s standing, the Secretary of State’s office maintains its status and business records. You can search online, request by phone, obtain the status by mail, or order a Certificate of Good Standing to verify an LLC is active and compliant.
To check if a company is registered in the USA:
- Visit the official website of the state government and go to the business registrations section.
- Input the company’s name for a status display.
- Use the SEC’s Edgar search engine for public companies.
For additional confirmation, you can:
- Look up the annual report document, as it lists the state of incorporation.
- Search the National Corporation Directory to find a company’s registration number.
Remember that registration alone doesn’t guarantee ethical operations. It’s also beneficial to check for compliance with labor laws and taxes as well as necessary licenses.
Note that to check registration status, you must do it at the state level. There is no single national registry, and searching each state individually is usually required unless using a comprehensive database.