Find California LLC & Corporation Records
This guide helps you use California Secretary of State bizfile Online for LLC lookup, corporation lookup, entity status, agent details, copies, certificates, name checks and Statement of Information tasks.
Use it before you form a business, verify a vendor, check a company status, order a Certificate of Status, download filed documents, or decide whether a third-party page is showing you outdated information.
Fast answer: Use California Secretary of State bizfile Online Business Search to look up California LLCs, corporations, limited partnerships and related business entity records. The official record can show entity name, entity number, filing date, status, jurisdiction, addresses, agent for service of process, Statement of Information due date and listed officers, directors, members or managers where available.
Most useful workflow: search the business name broadly → open the matching record → confirm entity type and status → copy the entity number → check agent and address → download free plain copies or order certified copies / Certificate of Status only when needed.
Important warning: a California SOS business entity record is not the same as a city business license, county fictitious business name, professional license, tax account, insurance proof or legal good-standing advice.
I Want To… Pick the Correct California SOS Path
California has multiple business entity tasks inside bizfile Online. Start with the action you need, not with a random search result.
Find an LLC or corporation
Use bizfile Online Business Search when you know the company name, entity number, agent, or partial business name.
Search businessUse entity number
Use the entity number when you need the exact California record for certificates, copies, forms or status checks.
Open searchCheck agent for service
Open the entity detail page and review the agent for service of process name and address if available.
Record detailsOrder Certificate of Status
Use this when a bank, vendor, lender, marketplace, government agency or contract asks for official status proof.
Certificate infoGet filed documents
Use business records tools for plain copies, certified copies, formation documents, amendments, terminations and Statements of Information.
Records requestCheck a business name
Use Business Search as a preliminary check, then read California name reservation rules before assuming a name is available.
Name reservationsFile Statement of Information
Corporations and LLCs have Statement of Information duties. Use the official Statement pages and due-date guidance.
Statement helpContact SOS
Use the Business Entities contact page for office hours, phone, location, filing addresses and service-specific mailing details.
View contactCalifornia Search Helper Before You Click
Tap the situation closest to your task. This helps you avoid using the wrong California SOS page.
Choose your search situation
How to Search California Business Records on bizfile Online
The official bizfile Online Business Search is the main place to begin. Use this section while you search so you do not miss the entity number, status, agent or filing records.
Open the official California business search
Start on bizfile Online Business Search from the California Secretary of State ecosystem. Avoid ads and third-party lookup pages that may copy or delay official data.
Open bizfile Business Search
Image description: this user-help visual reference shows the California bizfile Online business search screen where users can look up LLCs, corporations and other registered entities. It is not a claim that this website is the official California Secretary of State website.
Start with unique words
Use the strongest part of the business name first. Remove LLC, Inc, Corporation, Company, commas, apostrophes and extra punctuation if the first search is weak.
Open close matches
Do not rely only on the first result. Open similar names, older names, foreign entities, suspended records and entities with close spelling.
Confirm entity type and status
Check whether the record is an LLC, stock corporation, nonprofit, LP, LLP or another entity type. Then review status and standing fields before relying on the result.
Copy the entity number
The entity number is the safest way to return to the exact same California record later. Save it before ordering a certificate, copy or filing.
Check agent, address and Statement due date
Use the entity detail page to review agent for service of process, street/mailing address, and Statement of Information due date when shown.
Download free records before paying
California says free online access is available for business entity images and plain copies may be printed online. Only pay for certified copies or status certificates when a third party requires official proof.
How to Read a California Business Entity Record Without Misunderstanding It
A California SOS record is useful, but it does not answer every licensing, tax or legal question.
Entity name
Compare exact spelling, suffix and entity type. Similar names can belong to unrelated companies.
Entity number
Use the entity number for exact lookup, certificate orders, record requests, forms and support questions.
Status and standing
Status can show whether an entity is active, suspended, dissolved, canceled or otherwise changed. Check SOS and tax standing fields carefully.
Agent for service
This is the person or company listed to receive service of process. It is not automatically the owner or manager.
Address fields
Entity street and mailing addresses may not be a public storefront, job site or customer service location.
Filed documents
Search records may show formation, registration, amendments, terminations, Statements of Information and related records.
California LLC Name Availability Preliminary Search Only
California says Business Search is a preliminary search and not intended to serve as a formal name availability search. Use it wisely before filing or reserving a name.
Smart name-check method
- Search the exact proposed name first.
- Search the main unique words only.
- Search singular, plural and abbreviation versions.
- Check the same entity type first because California compares name availability against like entities.
- Review name reservation rules before assuming a name can be used.
Do not rely on these alone
- Domain name availability.
- Social media usernames.
- Google search results.
- County fictitious business name search only.
- Changing punctuation, capitalization or entity suffix only.
Certificates, Copies and Status Reports After You Find the Record
Search first. Pay only when you need an official certificate, certified copy or formal record product.
Free plain copies
California says customers can print plain copies of business entity documents online, including formation/registration, amendments, terminations and Statements of Information.
Records helpCertified copies
Use certified copies when a bank, lender, court, vendor or agency will not accept a plain downloaded copy.
Copy feesCertificate of Status
A Certificate of Status certifies the current status of an entity, such as active/good standing, suspended, dissolved or canceled.
Certificate detailsCalifornia Statement of Information What Search Users Often Miss
Many California records show filing and Statement of Information details. Missing statements can trigger penalties, suspension or forfeiture risks.
LLCs
California LLC Statements of Information are due within 90 days of initial registration and every two years thereafter.
LLC statementStock corporations
Domestic and foreign stock corporation Statements of Information are due within 90 days of initial registration and every year thereafter.
Corp statementPenalty risk
California states failure to file required Statements of Information may result in penalties assessed by the Franchise Tax Board and suspension or forfeiture.
Statement tipsCalifornia Business Entity Fees Common Items Users Ask About
Search is free. Filings, Statements of Information, certified copies, Certificates of Status and name reservations have fees. Always confirm final checkout in bizfile Online.
| Service or filing | Listed fee | Best for | Action / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business entity search | Free | Looking up California LLCs, corporations, LPs, entity status, agent and records. | Search bizfile |
| California LLC Articles of Organization | $70.00 | Forming a domestic California LLC. | File online for fastest service when available. |
| California LLC Statement of Information | $20.00 | Initial and biennial LLC statement filing. | Due within 90 days and every two years after. |
| California stock corporation Articles of Incorporation | $100.00 | Forming a domestic stock corporation. | Confirm exact corporation type before filing. |
| California nonprofit Articles of Incorporation | $30.00 | Forming a nonprofit mutual benefit, public benefit or religious corporation. | Tax exemption is separate from SOS filing. |
| Stock corporation Statement of Information | $25.00 | Domestic and foreign stock corporation annual statement. | Due within 90 days and every year after. |
| Name reservation | $10.00 | Temporarily reserving a corporation, LLC or LP name. | Search is preliminary; reservation is separate. |
| Certified copies | $5.00 per document | When a plain copy is not accepted. | Use official records order path. |
| Certificate of Status | $5.00 per entity | Good-standing/status proof for banks, vendors and contracts. | Available online for eligible entities. |
| Plain online copies | Free | Viewing and printing available business entity document images. | Try this before ordering paid certified copies. |
Common California Business Search Problems and Fast Fixes
Most failed searches happen because the user enters too much, searches the wrong name version or assumes business search is formal name approval.
No results found
Remove LLC, Inc, Corporation, punctuation and extra words. Search the strongest brand words first.
Too many results
Add one more unique word, use the entity number, or compare agent, address, status and filing date.
Suspended or forfeited status
Do not ignore status fields. A suspended or forfeited entity may have tax, filing or compliance issues.
Need document proof
Download free plain copies when available. Order certified copies only when the receiving party requires certification.
Name availability confusion
California says Business Search is preliminary and not a formal name availability search. Read name reservation rules.
Scam or fake notice
Use California SOS customer alerts when you receive suspicious business filing, certificate or compliance mail.
California Secretary of State Business Entities Phone, Address and Map
Use this official contact information for Business Entities questions, document processing, name reservations, records requests and service-specific mailing guidance.
Business Entities phone
Phone: 916-657-5448
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays.
Main SOS office: 916-653-6814
Office location
1500 11th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Use the contact page for service-specific room, floor and mailing instructions.
Common mailing note
Many Business Entities filings and records requests use Sacramento P.O. Box addresses. Do not mail to a generic address unless the specific form says so.
Official California Business Entity Resources Use These After Reading
These are official California Secretary of State resources connected to business entity lookup, forms, certificates, copies, statements and name tasks.
bizfile Online Business Search
Main official lookup for California LLCs, corporations and other business entity records.
Open business searchBusiness Entities hub
Central SOS page for online services, records, name reservations, statements, forms, fees and alerts.
Open SOS hubRecords requests
Use for online searches, certificates, certified copies, plain copies, status reports and processing details.
Open records helpForms, samples and fees
Use before filing LLC, corporation, LP, LLP, statement, certificate or records forms.
Open formsName reservations
Use before relying on a name search or spending money on branding, domain names and filing drafts.
Open name rulesStatements of Information
Use for LLC and corporation statement filing timing, penalties and filing-window guidance.
Open statementsLLC forms and fees
Use for California LLC formation, statement, amendment, termination, name reservation and copy fees.
Open LLC feesCorporation forms and fees
Use for California stock, professional and nonprofit corporation filing fees and forms.
Open corporation feesContact information
Use for office hours, phone, Sacramento office, service-specific addresses and mailing guidance.
Open contact pageCalifornia Business Entity Search FAQ
Is the California business entity search free?
Yes. California Secretary of State bizfile Online Business Search is free for public lookup. Paid services apply for certain filings, certified copies, Certificates of Status, name reservations and other official orders.
Where do I search for a California LLC or corporation?
Use the official California Secretary of State bizfile Online Business Search page. It is the best starting point for LLC, corporation, LP and related business entity records.
What information can a California business entity record show?
A record may show entity name, entity number, formation or registration date, status, standing fields, jurisdiction, addresses, agent for service of process, Statement of Information due date, and officer, director, member or manager details where available.
Can I search California businesses by entity number?
Yes. If you have the exact entity number, use it to find the correct California SOS record faster and avoid similar-name confusion.
Is California Business Search a formal name availability search?
No. California says Business Search is a preliminary search and is not intended to serve as a formal name availability search. Review name reservation rules before relying on a proposed name.
How much is a California LLC formation filing?
The California SOS domestic LLC page lists Formation – Articles of Organization at $70.00 online.
How much is a California LLC Statement of Information?
The California SOS LLC Statement of Information page lists the filing at $20.00 online.
How much is a California Certificate of Status?
The California SOS Business Records page lists Certificate of Status at $5.00 per entity.
Can I print California business entity copies online for free?
Yes. California says customers can print plain copies of business entity documents online, including formation, registration, amendments, terminations and Statements of Information where available.
Who do I call for California business entity search help?
Call the California Secretary of State Business Entities phone number at 916-657-5448. The office location is 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Does a California SOS record prove a business is licensed or trustworthy?
No. A California SOS business entity record mainly shows filing information. City licenses, county fictitious business names, professional licenses, taxes, insurance, permits and fraud questions may require checking separate agencies.
Final Practical Advice
For most users, the safest California business entity search workflow is simple: search the name broadly, open the exact matching record, copy the entity number, check status and standing fields, review agent and address details, download free plain copies if available, then order certified copies or a Certificate of Status only when required.
Best path: bizfile Online Business Search → open entity detail → save entity number → check status and agent → review filed documents → use Statement, certificate, copy or name-reservation tools only after confirming the exact entity.
Editorial verification note: official California Secretary of State and bizfile Online resources checked on July 10, 2026. This guide is informational and does not provide legal, tax, licensing, fraud-investigation, trademark, fictitious-name, or business formation advice.