California Secretary Of State Business License Search – Need to look up an LLC registered in California? Follow these search tips to ensure you get the best search results in the Business Entities section of the California Secretary of State.
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California Secretary Of State Business License Search
In California, all business entities must register with the Secretary of State. Corporate information is stored in a publicly accessible database, making California LLC lookups a simple process.
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To conduct a California LLC search, visit the Company Search page on the California Secretary of State’s website and select the corporation/corporation name option.
Since you can complete a search with just a name, chances are you won’t need to gather a lot of information. But if you’re having trouble finding a business that uses a California business search, you can find helpful information through:
To find a California business using a basic search, you only need the business name or entity number. You can use the advanced search if you do not have this information or the results are too broad.
Tip: If you’re looking for a corporation, you can’t use any words that suggest it operates under any other business structure. The company name must end in LLC, Ltd., Liability Co., L.L.C., or some other iteration.
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Once you find the right company, you can click on the blue box in the first column to expand the listing and view the details. Here you can choose to request a business certificate or view the following information:
If you can’t find the company you’re looking for through a company search or want to make sure there aren’t any unregistered companies under a certain name, you can check business documents or search online.
Once you’ve found the information you need – or if you’re still looking – you may want to choose to receive certificates, copies of documents or status reports. Some documents you may want a copy of, either certified or uncertified, are:
To obtain certificates, copies of documents or status reports, you must complete the Business Entities Records-Order Form (PDF) and submit it to the California Secretary of State’s office in Sacramento either in person or by mail.
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You will find all instructions for submitting requests for documents, certificates or status reports on the form, along with a current listing of applicable fees.
If you’re looking for someone else’s business and don’t have access to their records, you can try searching for them on social media or looking at business listings like:
It is generally best to start by searching for a company name. However, you can also find a company by searching for:
California requires all corporations, corporations and LLCs to register with the California Secretary of State (CA SOS). Private companies are generally exempt from this requirement.
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Doing a business search can ensure you find a unique name for your new business or help you find important information about your business if you lose your business certificate.
Start your business today and register an LLC. You will need the following to file for a California LLC:
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A Certificate of Good Standing is a form that indicates that a business is up-to-date with state-required business records and/or taxes. Each state’s secretary of state or similar government entity issues a certificate of good standing, which may also be referred to as a certificate of existence or certificate of standing.
Although not required to operate legally, a certificate of good standing may be required when applying for a business license, engaging in business, or opening a commercial bank account. And it’s good to know where your business stands. If your business repeatedly fails to pay taxes or file other paperwork, your state may have the power to revoke your right to operate.
You may need to obtain a certificate of good standing from your state secretary’s office if an outside party needs evidence that your business is in compliance with state law and authorized to do business nationwide. The only companies that could prove good standing with the state would be those that have to register with the state upon incorporation. Corporate entities that typically must register in any state in which they do business include:
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A certificate of good standing is often required when buying or selling businesses. For example, if you decide to sell your business, the buyer would want to make sure that your business is authorized to operate in your state. Providing a certificate of good standing would be part of the due diligence process, which involves the buyer evaluating all aspects of the business before entering into a deal.
Certificates of good standing may not contain information about state taxes. If your state bases good standing on annual returns or other records, the third party may require additional information to prove that you have met your tax obligations. Likewise, if you are considering doing business with another company, it may be necessary to dig deeper into public records. You may also order a business credit report from a company.
Some states provide a full picture of a business’s tax status and other public filings, while other state forms only confirm that a business exists. However, some states offer multiple forms. A certificate of existence simply states that the company has a legal existence and has not filed any documents to dissolve or close.
A certificate of fact, similar to a certificate of existence, from the Texas Secretary of State is an example:
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It is possible for a company to have a legal existence but not be in good standing within a state. Some states, such as Georgia and North Carolina, only offer certificates of existence. Make sure you understand whether your state certifies the existence of your business or your overall status. A state may certify that your status is active, inactive, or dissolved, to name a few.
The information included with a certificate of good standing varies from state to state. Generally, a certificate contains information such as the name of the company, the type of entity, and whether the company is active and authorized to do business in the state.
Some states may include additional information. For example, the Nevada Secretary of State’s website provides several examples of its certificates of existence. Business owners can request a lengthy certificate that lists all the organizational documents registered for their business. You may have to pay a nominal price for a certificate of good standing with long forms that sometimes cost a little more.
You can usually get a certificate of good standing or similar document from your state’s government office. Keep in mind that the state office may not issue the certificate unless all business reports and taxes are up to date. You may have to file missing reports and tax documents or pay penalties to get back into good standing. As we mentioned earlier, you will also likely have to pay a fee to secure your certificate. Fees typically range from $5 to $50, depending on details such as your state and type of entity.
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If you receive an unsolicited request to fill out a status certificate request form, it could be a scam. Check with your state to be sure.
Here’s where you can request a certificate of good standing or similar document in each state and the District of Columbia:
A Certificate of Good Standing is a document that shows whether a company is up to date with all business requirements in its home state. Only businesses registered at the state level, such as a corporation or LLC, can obtain a certificate of good standing. The name of this document – and the information it provides – varies from state to state, with some states providing Certificates of Existence or Certificates of Status.
Being in “good standing” generally means that your business has met all of its legal obligations in the state where you operate. In some states, good standing also reflects tax information, such as whether you have paid all state taxes and filed required filings. That’s not always the case, so you may need to get a state tax return in addition to a certificate of good standing.
Ways To Do Free Public Records Searches Online
You can request a certificate of good standing from your state
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