Secretary of State CA Business Search

Official California Secretary of State business search database. Access the CA SOS business entity database to verify corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business registrations in California. Free government database with real-time information.

California

About California Secretary of State Business Search

What is the California SOS Business Search?

The California Secretary of State business search is the official government database that contains information about all business entities registered in California. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures operating in CA.

When you search "secretary of state ca business search," you're looking for this official database to verify business registrations, check entity status, and conduct due diligence on California businesses.

What Information Can You Find?

•Business entity name and type (Corporation, LLC, etc.)
•Registration date and current status
•Registered agent information
•Principal office address
•Officers and directors (for corporations)
•Annual report filing status

Using California Secretary of State BizFile Online

California registers business entities and accepts many filings through BizFile Online on sos.ca.gov. Public business entity lookup and UCC search both live under bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov, but they use different paths (/search/business versus /search/ucc). Start in business search for corporations, LLCs, and partnerships; use UCC search for financing statements and related lien filings the Secretary of State indexes.

SOS information

California business entities & Secretary of State workflows

Look up a corporation, LLC, or other registered entity

Use BizFile Online business search for entities on file with the Secretary of State, including corporations, LLCs, and limited partnerships. Search by available fields (for example entity name or number) and open the detail record for status, filing history, and registered agent information when shown.

Trademarks, special filings, and some other records use other Secretary of State business program pages; the business entity search is the usual first stop for corporate and LLC status.

File or manage my business online

The Business Programs Division points filers to BizFile Online for a large set of entity filings, name reservations, and orders for certificates of status or certified copies. Use BizFile for submissions rather than relying on search screens alone.

Search California Businesses Now

UCC information

Financing statements & lien search

California UCC and certain related lien documents are filed with the Secretary of State. BizFile Online hosts the public UCC search separately from the business entity search.

UCC filings (liens, financing statements)

Use the BizFile Online UCC search for financing statements and other UCC-related records the Secretary of State makes searchable online. Follow the application prompts for debtor name, file number, or other offered search types.

Tips if the site feels confusing

Bookmark both /search/business and /search/ucc. They are on the same host but different products; entity status is not the same screen as UCC search.
Keep an entity number or a UCC file number when you have it; it reduces ambiguity for common names.
If you need certificates of status or certified copies, those orders typically flow through BizFile Online rather than the free search only.
Official answers on fees, forms, and deadlines belong to the California Secretary of State and your advisors, not third-party sites.

Search California UCC Filings Now

Educational overview only. Proof of Good Standing is not a government agency. Confirm fees, forms, and requirements on the California Secretary of State before you file or rely on search results.

Form a business

Starting a business in California

Entity search on this page helps you verify names and good standing. When you are ready to form a new LLC, corporation, or nonprofit, use the same next steps we link from Business Lookup: confirm the name on the official register, choose a structure with your CPA or attorney if needed, then file through the state agency (and plan for publication, registered agent, and any industry licenses that apply).

Typical state filing fees

These amounts can change when agencies update their fee schedules. Double-check the current fee list, forms, and deadlines on the official California business filing site yourself before you pay or submit anything.

LLC filing (state): $70
Corporation filing (state): $100
Publication / notice: Not modeled as required for LLCs in this table.
Ongoing reports: Annual report (LLC): $800 included in our first-year calculator total.