Washington Secretary of State Business Search
Free access to Washington's official Secretary of State business entity database (Washington Secretary of State Corporations & Charities Filing System (ccfs.sos.wa.gov)). Search corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and verify business entities registered in Washington. Complete step-by-step guide and FAQ included.
Washington Business Database
Direct link to Washington Secretary of State Corporations & Charities Filing System - Free Washington business search
How to Search Washington Business Entities
Step 1: Access the Official Washington CCFS Portal
Navigate to the official Washington Secretary of State business entity search portal at ccfs.sos.wa.gov/. You can also access it through sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities. This is the Corporations & Charities Filing System (CCFS), the free, government-operated database for all Washington business entities including corporations, LLCs, and partnerships.
Step 2: Choose Your Search Method
Select how you want to search: by business name (most common), Unified Business Identifier (UBI), or registered agent name. The Washington CCFS allows you to search for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, charities, and other business entities. You can search for active and inactive entities, and access various types of business records.
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. Washington's search is case-insensitive and supports partial name matching. You can also search by Unified Business Identifier (UBI) if you have it, or by registered agent name.
Step 4: Review Search Results
Browse the results list to find your business. Each result shows the business name, entity type, status, UBI number, and other key information. Washington's database typically shows multiple results if there are similar business names, so review carefully to find the correct entity. The results may include both active and inactive entities.
Step 5: View Detailed Entity Information
The detailed view provides comprehensive information including business name, Unified Business Identifier (UBI), entity type, status, registered agent name and address, principal office address, filing date, expiration date, filing history, and access to official records. Verify all information matches what you expect for the business you're researching. Washington's CCFS provides detailed entity information for corporations, charities, and other business entities.
Step 6: Verify Business Status and UBI Number
Check that the business status shows 'Active' or 'Good Standing'. If it shows 'Inactive', 'Dissolved', 'Merged', 'Withdrawn', 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. Note the Unified Business Identifier (UBI) for future reference. Washington requires annual reports to maintain active status.
Official Washington Business Database
The Washington Secretary of State maintains the official business entity database through <strong className="text-white">Washington Secretary of State Corporations & Charities Filing System (ccfs.sos.wa.gov)</strong>. This free government database contains information about all business entities registered in Washington.
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: Limited partnerships, Limited liability partnerships
- • Charities: Charitable organizations registered with the Secretary of State
- • Foreign Entities: Out-of-state businesses registered to do business in Washington
- • 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 Washington?
To search for a Washington business, visit the official Washington Secretary of State Corporations & Charities Filing System (CCFS) at ccfs.sos.wa.gov/. You can also access it through sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities. You can search by business name, Unified Business Identifier (UBI), or registered agent name. The database includes corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, charities, and other business entities registered in Washington.
What is the official Washington Secretary of State business search website?
The official Washington Secretary of State business entity search portal is available at ccfs.sos.wa.gov/ (Corporations & Charities Filing System). You can also access it through sos.wa.gov/corporations-charities. This is the free, government-operated database where you can search for all business entities registered in Washington, including corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and charities.
What information can I find in the Washington SOS business database?
The Washington CCFS database provides business name, Unified Business Identifier (UBI), entity type, status, registered agent name and address, principal office address, filing date, expiration date, filing history, and access to official records. The system provides detailed information for corporations, charities, and other business entities registered in Washington.
Is the Washington business search free?
Yes, the Washington Secretary of State business entity search is completely free. The official search portal at ccfs.sos.wa.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 to use.
How do I verify a Washington business is legitimate?
To verify a Washington business, search the CCFS database for the business name or UBI, check that the status shows 'Active' or 'Good Standing', verify the registered agent and address match what you expect, review the Unified Business Identifier (UBI) and filing date, check the filing history, and cross-reference with business licenses if applicable. Always use the official Washington Secretary of State database for verification.
Can I search Washington businesses by Unified Business Identifier (UBI)?
Yes, the Washington CCFS database allows you to search by Unified Business Identifier (UBI), which is the unique identifier assigned by the Washington Secretary of State to each business entity. You can also search by business name or registered agent name. The UBI is useful for finding specific businesses when you have the exact number.
What types of business entities are registered in Washington?
Washington registers various business entity types including corporations (C-Corps, S-Corps, Non-profit), Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, professional entities, charities, and foreign entities registered to do business in Washington. All of these can be searched through the official CCFS database at ccfs.sos.wa.gov/.
How do I check if a business name is available in Washington?
To check if a business name is available in Washington, use the official CCFS search at ccfs.sos.wa.gov/. 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 Washington Secretary of State for official name availability confirmation before filing. Washington requires that business names be distinguishable from existing entities.
What is the Corporations & Charities Filing System (CCFS) in Washington?
The Corporations & Charities Filing System (CCFS) is Washington's online portal that provides access to business entity searches, filings, and records. It is available at ccfs.sos.wa.gov/ and allows users to search for corporations, LLCs, partnerships, charities, and other business entities registered in Washington. The system provides free access to business entity information.
What is a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) in Washington?
A Unified Business Identifier (UBI) is the unique identifier assigned by the Washington Secretary of State to each business entity registered in the state. This number is used for official filings, searches, and record-keeping. You can search for businesses using their UBI in the CCFS database. The UBI is also used for tax and licensing purposes in Washington.
How often do Washington businesses need to file annual reports?
Washington requires most business entities to file annual reports to maintain active status. The filing requirements and deadlines vary by entity type. Corporations and LLCs typically must file annual reports with the Washington Secretary of State. Check the entity's detailed information in the database to see filing history and status. Late filings may result in penalties or administrative dissolution.
Can I search for charities in Washington?
Yes, the Washington CCFS (Corporations & Charities Filing System) allows you to search for charities in addition to business entities. Charities are registered with the Washington Secretary of State and can be searched using the same CCFS portal at ccfs.sos.wa.gov/. The system provides information about charitable organizations registered in Washington.
What is the difference between UBI and other state identifiers?
The Unified Business Identifier (UBI) in Washington is a unique identifier that serves multiple purposes - it's used by the Secretary of State for business entity registration, by the Department of Revenue for tax purposes, and by other state agencies for licensing. This unified system makes it easier to track businesses across different state agencies and purposes.
About Washington Secretary of State Business Search
What is the Washington SOS Business Search?
The Washington Secretary of State business search is the official government database that contains information about all business entities registered in Washington. This includes corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures operating in WA.
When you search "secretary of state wa business search," you're looking for this official database to verify business registrations, check entity status, and conduct due diligence on Washington 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 Washington SOS Database?
The official Washington Secretary of State database (Washington Secretary of State Corporations & Charities Filing System (ccfs.sos.wa.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 Washington. Always verify business entities through the official WA SOS database before entering into business relationships or financial transactions.
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