California Secretary of State Business Search
Free access to California's official Secretary of State business entity database (bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov). Search corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and verify business entities registered in California. Complete step-by-step guide and FAQ included.
California Business Database
Direct link to bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov - Free California business search
How to Search California Business Entities
Step 1: Access the Official California SOS Website
Navigate to the official California Secretary of State business search portal at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov. This is the free, government-operated database for all California business entities.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
Select how you want to search: by business name, entity number, or registered agent name. The business name search is most common and allows partial matches.
Step 3: Enter Search Criteria
Type the business name in the search field. Try variations: with and without business suffixes (LLC, Inc, Corp), partial names if exact match doesn't work, and check for common abbreviations.
Step 4: Review Search Results
Browse the results list to find your business. Each result shows the entity name, type, and status. Click on a result to view detailed information.
Step 5: View Detailed Entity Information
The detailed view shows registration date, current status, registered agent, principal address, officers/directors, and filing history. Verify all information matches what you expect.
Step 6: Verify Business Status
Check that the business status is 'Active' or 'Good Standing'. If it shows 'Suspended' or 'Dissolved', the business may not be in good standing with the state.
Official California Business Database
The California Secretary of State maintains the official business entity database through BizFile Online (bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov). This free government database contains information about all business entities registered in California.
What's Included in the Database:
- • Corporations: C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit corporations
- • LLCs: Limited Liability Companies (domestic and foreign)
- • Partnerships: Limited partnerships, Limited liability partnerships
- • Foreign Entities: Out-of-state businesses registered in California
- • Business Trusts: Statutory trusts and other business structures
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search for a business in California?
To search for a California business, visit the official California Secretary of State website at bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov. You can search by business name, entity number, or registered agent name. The database includes corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities registered in California.
What is the official California Secretary of State business search website?
The official California Secretary of State business search portal is BizFile Online (bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov). This is the free, government-operated database where you can search for all business entities registered in California, including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
What information can I find in the California SOS business database?
The California SOS database provides business entity name, entity type (Corporation, LLC, Partnership), registration date, current status (Active, Suspended, Dissolved), registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors information, and filing history including annual reports.
Is the California business search free?
Yes, the California Secretary of State business entity search is completely free. The official BizFile Online portal (bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov) provides free access to search and view business entity information. Some third-party sites may charge fees, but the official state database is free.
How do I verify a California business is legitimate?
To verify a California business, search the SOS database for the business name, check that the status shows 'Active' or 'Good Standing', verify the registered agent and address match what you expect, review recent filing history, and cross-reference with business licenses if applicable.
Can I search California businesses by owner name?
The California SOS database primarily searches by business entity name, entity number, or registered agent name. To find businesses by owner name, you may need to search by the business name if the owner is listed as an officer or director in the entity details.
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 california business search" or "CA SOS 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
Why Use the Official California SOS Database?
The official California Secretary of State database (bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov) is the most reliable source for business entity information. It's free, updated in real-time, and provides authoritative data directly from the state government. Unlike third-party services that may charge fees or have outdated information, the official database ensures you're getting accurate, current business entity data for California.
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