Florida Secretary of State Business Search
Free access to Florida's official Secretary of State business entity database (Sunbiz (dos.fl.gov/sunbiz)). Search corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and verify business entities registered in Florida. Complete step-by-step guide and FAQ included.
Florida Business Database
Direct link to Sunbiz - Free Florida business search
How to Search Florida Business Entities
Step 1: Access the Official Florida Sunbiz Website
Navigate to the official Florida Division of Corporations Sunbiz portal at dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/search/ or search.sunbiz.org/inquiry/corporationsearch/byname. You can also access it through search.sunbiz.org/ or dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/. These are the free, government-operated databases for all Florida business entities.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
Select how you want to search: by entity name (most common), officer/registered agent name, or document number. The entity name search allows partial matches and is the most frequently used method for finding Florida businesses. You can also search by filing date range.
Step 3: Enter Search Criteria
Type the business name in the search field. Try variations: with and without business suffixes (LLC, Inc, Corp, L.L.C.), partial names if exact match doesn't work, and check for common abbreviations. Florida's Sunbiz search is case-insensitive and supports wildcard searches for more flexible results.
Step 4: Review Search Results
Browse the results list to find your business. Each result shows the entity name, type, status, and document number. Click on a result to view detailed information. Florida's database typically shows multiple results if there are similar business names, so review carefully.
Step 5: View Detailed Entity Information
The detailed view shows registration date, current status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved), registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors, document number, filing history including annual reports and amendments, and document images. Verify all information matches what you expect.
Step 6: Verify Business Status
Check that the business status is 'Active' or shows 'Good Standing'. If it shows 'Inactive', 'Dissolved', or 'Revoked', the business may not be in good standing with the state. Active status indicates the business is current with all required filings and annual reports. Florida requires annual reports and has no state income tax, making it a business-friendly state.
Official Florida Business Database
The Florida Secretary of State maintains the official business entity database through <strong className="text-white">Sunbiz (dos.fl.gov/sunbiz)</strong>. This free government database contains information about all business entities registered in Florida.
What's Included in the Database:
- • Corporations: C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit corporations, Professional corporations
- • LLCs: Limited Liability Companies (domestic and foreign), Professional LLCs
- • Partnerships: General partnerships, Limited partnerships, Limited liability partnerships
- • Foreign Entities: Out-of-state businesses registered to do business in Florida
- • Professional Entities: Professional corporations and professional LLCs
- • Business Trusts: Statutory trusts and other business structures
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search for a business in Florida?
To search for a Florida business, visit the official Florida Division of Corporations Sunbiz portal at dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/search/ or search.sunbiz.org/inquiry/corporationsearch/byname. You can search by entity name, officer/registered agent name, or document number. The database includes corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities registered in Florida.
What is the official Florida Secretary of State business search website?
The official Florida business entity search portal is Sunbiz, maintained by the Florida Division of Corporations and available at dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/search/ or search.sunbiz.org/. You can also access it through dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/. This is the free, government-operated database where you can search for all business entities registered in Florida, including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
What information can I find in the Florida Sunbiz database?
The Florida Sunbiz database provides business entity name, entity type (Corporation, LLC, Partnership), registration date, current status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved), registered agent name and address, principal office address, officers and directors information, document number, filing history including annual reports and amendments, and document images for viewing filed documents.
Is the Florida business search free?
Yes, the Florida Division of Corporations business entity search through Sunbiz is completely free. The official search portals (dos.fl.gov/sunbiz and search.sunbiz.org) provide free access to search and view business entity information. Some third-party sites may charge fees, but the official state database is free to use.
How do I verify a Florida business is legitimate?
To verify a Florida business, search the Sunbiz 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, check the document number, and cross-reference with business licenses if applicable. Always use the official Florida Sunbiz database for verification.
Can I search Florida businesses by owner name?
The Florida Sunbiz database allows you to search by officer/registered agent name, which may include business owners. You can also search by entity name or document number. To find businesses by owner name, use the officer/registered agent search function if the owner is listed as an officer or registered agent in the entity details.
What types of business entities are registered in Florida?
Florida registers various business entity types including corporations (C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit), Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), partnerships (General, Limited, Limited Liability), professional entities, and foreign entities registered to do business in Florida. All of these can be searched through the official Sunbiz database.
How do I check if a business name is available in Florida?
To check if a business name is available in Florida, use the official Sunbiz business search at dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/search/ or search.sunbiz.org/inquiry/corporationsearch/byname. Search for the exact name you want to use. If no results appear, the name may be available. However, you should also check for similar names and consult with the Florida Division of Corporations for official name availability confirmation before filing.
About Florida Secretary of State Business Search
What is the Florida SOS Business Search?
The Florida Secretary of State business search is the official government database that contains information about all business entities registered in Florida. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures operating in FL.
When you search "secretary of state fl business search," you're looking for this official database to verify business registrations, check entity status, and conduct due diligence on Florida 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 Florida SOS Database?
The official Florida Secretary of State database (Sunbiz (dos.fl.gov/sunbiz)) 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 Florida. Always verify business entities through the official FL SOS database before entering into business relationships or financial transactions.
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