Miami Business Entity Search

8 min read
Miami, FL
International Gateway

Navigate Miami's international business landscape with our comprehensive entity search guide. Access Florida state databases and Miami-Dade County records for Latin America's business capital.

Miami's International Business Hub

Miami serves as the gateway between the United States and Latin America, hosting thousands of international businesses, multinational corporations, and regional headquarters. This unique position creates complex entity research requirements spanning multiple jurisdictions.

Key Industries

  • International Trade: Import/export and distribution
  • Real Estate: Commercial and luxury residential
  • Tourism & Hospitality: Hotels, cruises, entertainment
  • Technology: Fintech, e-commerce, startups

Research Complexity

  • International Entities: Foreign corporation verification
  • Multi-jurisdictional: US and Latin American entities
  • Complex Structures: Holding companies and subsidiaries
  • Regulatory Compliance: OFAC and AML requirements

International Considerations

Miami business research often requires verification across multiple countries and compliance with both US and international regulatory frameworks.

Miami Business Search Resources

1Florida Department of State (Sunbiz)

Primary database for Florida business entity registrations:

  • Corporations: Business and professional corporations
  • LLCs: Limited Liability Companies
  • Partnerships: Limited partnerships and LLPs
  • Non-profits: Charitable and religious organizations
  • Foreign Entities: Out-of-state and international companies
https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/

2Miami-Dade County Business Development

County-level business licensing and permits:

  • Business Tax Receipts: Local business license requirements
  • Fictitious Name Registration: DBA filings for Miami-Dade
  • Trade Name Certificates: Partnership and sole proprietor names
  • Special Permits: Industry-specific authorizations

Miami-Dade is Florida's most populous county with extensive business activity

3City of Miami Business Licensing

Municipal business registration and licensing:

  • Occupational Licenses: Business operation permits
  • Certificate of Use: Zoning compliance verification
  • Special Event Permits: Temporary business activities
  • Food Service Licenses: Restaurant and hospitality permits

Separate requirements for City of Miami vs. unincorporated Miami-Dade areas

4Federal & International Databases

Essential for Miami's international business community:

US Federal:

  • • SEC EDGAR database
  • • OFAC sanctions lists
  • • US Customs trade data
  • • IRS EIN verification

International:

  • • Latin American registries
  • • Beneficial ownership databases
  • • Anti-money laundering lists
  • • Trade financing verification

Miami International Entity Search Strategy

Comprehensive Search Approach

  1. 1
    Florida Sunbiz Search: Start with state entity registrations and foreign qualifications
  2. 2
    Local Licensing Check: Verify Miami-Dade and City of Miami business licenses
  3. 3
    Federal Compliance: Check OFAC, SEC, and other federal databases
  4. 4
    International Verification: Research parent companies and beneficial ownership

Miami-Specific Considerations

  • • Research both English and Spanish entity names
  • • Check for Latin American parent companies
  • • Verify US agent for service information
  • • Look for free trade zone registrations
  • • Consider cruise and tourism industry licensing

Common Challenges

  • • Complex international ownership structures
  • • Multiple entity names in different languages
  • • Frequent business address changes
  • • Shell company identification
  • • Sanctions and compliance screening

Miami Industry-Specific Entity Research

International Trade & Import/Export

Miami's position as a trade hub requires specialized entity verification:

  • Import/Export Companies: US Customs trade data and licensing
  • Free Trade Zone Entities: Special economic zone registrations
  • Freight Forwarders: Transportation and logistics licensing
  • Distribution Centers: Warehouse and fulfillment operations
  • Trading Houses: Commodity and agricultural trade entities

Real Estate & Development

Miami's booming real estate market with significant international investment:

  • Development LLCs: Project-specific entities with foreign investors
  • Property Management: International property service companies
  • Investment Funds: Real estate investment vehicles
  • Construction Companies: International contractors and partnerships
  • Title and Escrow: Transaction facilitation entities

Financial Services & Fintech

Miami's growing reputation as a financial technology center:

  • Cryptocurrency Exchanges: Digital asset trading platforms
  • Money Service Businesses: Remittance and payment processors
  • Investment Advisors: Wealth management for international clients
  • Banking Operations: Latin American bank subsidiaries
  • Insurance Companies: Specialty and reinsurance entities

Streamline Miami International Research

Access Florida Sunbiz and multi-state databases instantly with our Chrome extension. Essential for Miami's international business community and compliance professionals.

Join Miami's international business community