california secretary of state

California Secretary of State Business Search

Business Search

This business search provides access to available information for corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships of record

California Secretary of State Services

Apostille
Certificate of Good Standing
Business Name Search
C Corp
S Corp
Non Profit
DBA
EIN
Registered Agent
LLC Operating Agreement
Corporate Bylaws
Amendments and Name Change
Conversion
Foreign Qualification
Dissolution (Close Your Business)
Seller's Permit (Sales Tax ID)

California Business Search - Search Tips

The following tips may be used to refine or modify searches by entity number or entity name for a particular entity:

How do I search for an existing business for Secretary of State in California?

There are two ways to search for an existing business in the Secretary of State in California.  The first is by the entity number and the second is by the entity's name.
Form an LLC for just $49! Plus State Filing Fees!
california secretary of state business search1

Entity Number Search

  • The entity number is the identification number issued to the entity by the California Secretary of State at the time the entity formed, qualified, registered or converted in California.
  • If searching for a corporation by entity number, the letter "C" must be entered followed by the applicable seven-digit entity number.Example: Searching for C0254285 will return X,Y,Z CORPORATION. Searching for 0254285 will return no results.
  • If searching for a limited liability company or limited partnership by entity number, enter only the applicable 12-digit entity number.Example: Searching for 200100410071 will return RESEARCH & RETRIEVAL, LLC. Searching for 0100410071 will return no results.

EXAMPLE SOS ENTITY NUMBER SEARCH:  C3154868    AIRBNB, INC.

We are going to use Airbnb, Inc. as an example of how to do acalifornia secretary of state business search.  Airbnb's Corporation number is c3154868.  Choose search type "Entity Number" and enter the entity number in the search criteria box.

california secretary of state business search2

Search by CA SOS Entity Number Results:

california secretary of state business search3

Airbnb, Inc. is a Delaware corporation and their California Registered Agent is Corporation Service Company which will do business in California as CSC - Lawyers Incorporating Service (C1592199)

Click on the Entity Name and this is the results of the California Secretary of State Business Search.

california secretary of state business search4

Airbnb, Inc. is a Delaware foreign stock Corporation their status is active.  Their agent for service of process is Corporation service company which will do business in California as CSC Lawyers incorporating service.  The entity's address and mailing address is 888 Brannan Street #4 San Francisco California 94103.  A statement of information was filed for the corporation on 08/03/2018.

california secretary of state business search5

 

New Search

 

Entity Name Search

The search is NOT case sensitive. All letters will be treated as uppercase.

Keyword

Enter one or more known words (i.e., Keywords) that are part of the entity name.

  • Punctuation: The search will remove the following punctuation and group together any letter or number characters that immediately appear before or after that punctuation:
    • Period [.]
    • Comma [,]
    • Single Quote [‘]
    • Double Quote [“]
    • Backward Slash [\]
    • Forward Slash [/]
    • Left Parenthesis [(]
    • Right Parenthesis [)]

    Examples:

    • Searching for D.A.R.E. will return entities that include D.A.R.E. in the name and entities that include DARE in the name.
    • Searching for A. B. C. will return entities that include AB and C in the name.
  • Spacing Matters: Do not remove spaces that are part of an entity name or add spaces that are not part of an entity name. Spacing is not ignored by the search.Examples:
    • Searching for A. B. C. ESCROW CO. or A B C ESCROW CO will return the entity A. B. C. ESCROW CO.
    • Searching for A.B.C. ESCROW CO. or ABC ESCROW CO will return no business entities.
    • Searching for A. B. C. ES CROW CO. or ABC ES CROW CO will return no business entities.
  • Common words:The following common words and symbols will be ignored by the search:
    • &
    • Hyphen [-]
    • AND
    • CALIFORNIA
    • CORP
    • CORPORATION
    • INC
    • INCORPORATED
    • LIMITED
    • LLC
    • LTD
    • OF
    • PARTNERSHIP
    • THE
  • For best results: Distinctive or unique keywords should be used when searching, if possible. Searching a distinctive or unique keyword will narrow the search results. Examples of distinctive or unique words: COMPENSATORYHICKORYMARSHMALLOW,ERUDITE.
  • For more limited results:Search for multiple keywords. Searching multiple keywords will return a list of only those entities containing all of the keywords used in the search. Note, including a word that is not part of the entity name may result in no matching record.Examples:
    • Searching for ADVANCED DATA will return entity names containing both words such as ADVANCED DATA COMMUNICATIONS LLC if searching limited liabilities and ADVANCED DATA PROTECTION SERVICES, INC. if searching corporations
    • Searching for ADVANCED DATA COMMUNICATIONS will return entity names containing all three words such as ADVANCED DATA COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS and ADVANCED DATA COMMUNICATIONS LLC.
  • For more expanded results:Search for a single keyword. Searching a single keyword will return a broad list of entities containing that word in the entity name.Examples:
    • Searching SIMPLE will return all entity names containing the word SIMPLE such as SIMPLE INC., SIMPLE DESIGN, INC. if searching corporations and MAKE IT SIMPLE, LLC if searching limited liability companies.
  • Keyword length is limited: If you enter a keyword that is more than 12 characters long, the search will ignore the additional characters. Example: If a keyword is DISTRIBUTIONS, the search will look for DISTRIBUTION.

Exact

Enter the exact name of the entity, including spaces AND any punctuation that are part of the name. The omission or addition of spaces and punctuation that are not part of the name will result in no records found, or a different entity than intended.

Begins with

Enter one or more of the first words of the entity’s name. The results will include the entities whose names have that word or string of words as the first word or words of their name, including entities that have additional words in their names.

Example California SOS Entity Name Search:  Niche Marketing Magic, Inc.

california secretary of state business search7

Results of California Secretary of State Business Search

california secretary of state business search8

Niche Marketing Magic, Inc. is an active California corporation.  Their entity number is C4184988.  They registered on 08/15/2018 in California and the registered agent is Lance Casey.

 

 

New Search


Helpful Hint: If you are not able to locate an entity record, you may wish to try a broader search by searching for fewer keywords or a "begins with" search if you know one or more of the first words of the entity's name, or you may request a more extensive search by ordering a status report. For information on ordering a status report, refer to Information Requests.

Disclaimer: This Search tool allows you to search the Secretary of State's California Business Search database for abstracts of information for domestic stock, domestic nonprofit and qualified foreign corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships that have filed with this office. This search tool groups corporations separately from limited liability companies and limited partnerships and returns all entities for the search criteria in the respective groups regardless of the current status. This database does not include other types of business entities that are registered with the California Secretary of State, such as general partnerships and limited liability partnerships. The search results only include copies of filed Statements of Information for corporations and limited liability companies that have been imaged. Search results that indicate “Image not available online” may be available by ordering copies, refer to refer to Information Requests.

Although every attempt has been made to ensure that the information contained in the database is accurate, the Secretary of State's office is not responsible for any loss, consequence, or damage resulting directly or indirectly from reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of the information that is provided. All such information is provided "as is." For information on ordering copies of the official business entity records for a particular entity, refer to Information Requests.

What is a Registered Agent in California?

Corporations, limited liability companies and limited partnerships are required by statute to designate a registered agent for service of process. The agent for service of process must be: (1) a person who resides in California or (2) an active corporation in California that has filed a certificate pursuant to California Corporations Code section 1505. (California Corporations Code section 1502(b).)  Our firm is a

What is the annual fee for registered agent in California?

California registered agents charge yearly fees that can range from $39 for a cheap registered agent in California to fees in excess of $400 per year.  Our firm provides California registered agent services for a fee of $250 per year.

What is a registered agent for an LLC in California?

The agent for service of process must be: (1) a person who resides in California or (2) an active corporation in California that has filed a certificate pursuant to California Corporations Code section 1505. (California Corporations Code section 1502(b).)

How to find name of registered agent for a Corporation or LLC in California?

Watch this video.

 

Resignation of Agent For Service of Process Certificate (Form RA–100) — All Corporations in California

  • The current agent for service of process must be entered in Item 3. Often, the "agent" completing Item 3 is not the agent of record or the agent has already resigned. The name of the corporation's current agent for service of process, if any, is available online on the Secretary of State's Business Search.
  • If the corporation's current agent for service of process is a registered corporate agent, the registered corporate agent's name must be stated in Item 3 and Form RA-100 must be signed by an authorized representative of the registered corporate agent.
  • A California or foreign corporation may change the name of an officer or the agent for service of process by filing a new Statement of Information (Form SI-100 [for California nonprofit corporations] or (Form SI-550) for California stock or registered foreign corporations]. (Corporations Code sections 1502211762108210, or 12570; or California Financial Code section 14101.6.) Form RA–100 should not be used.

Resignation of Agent for Service of Process (Form RA-100)

 

How to change registered agent in California?

Statement of Information - Domestic Stock and Foreign: Form SI-550 must be used when filing the first Statement of Information (due within 90 days of formation and every year thereafter).  Complete form SI-550 to change registered agent in California.

Private Service Companies

The Business Programs Division offers various services for filing and order requests submitted in person. However, if you are not able to do business in person, you may wish to engage the assistance of a private service company. Please note: The Secretary of State's office does not endorse these service companies nor are they affiliated with the Secretary of State's office.  Our firm is a private service company and provide services to the Sacramento Secretary of State.

READY TO HIRE US TO BE YOUR CALIFORNIA REGISTERED AGENT?

Click "Resident Agent Services"

California Secretary of State

List of California 1505 Registered Agent Corporations:

5-Star Legal Support Services, Inc
9912 Business Park Drive Suite 170, Sacramento, Ca 95827

CSC Lawyers Incorporating Service
2710 Gateway Oaks Drive Suite 150N Sacramento, Ca 95833

Prentice Hall Corporation Systems
2710 Gateway Oaks Drive Suite 150N Sacramento, Ca 95833

Sundoc Filings
7801 Folsom Blvd #202, Sacramento, CA 95826

National Corporate Research ltd. Inc
1325 J St #1550, Sacramento, CA 95814

Corporation Service Company
2710 Gateway Oaks Drive Suite 150N Sacramento, Ca 95833

The Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc.
2710 Gateway Oaks Drive Suite 150N Sacramento, Ca 95833

Incorporating Services ltd
7801 Folsom Blvd #202, Sacramento, CA 95826

Cogency Global Inc., Formerly Known as National Corporate Research
1325 J St #1550, Sacramento, CA 95814

Registered Agent Solutions
1220 S Street Suite 150 Sacramento, CA 95811

Legalinc Corporate Services
4788 Dewey Drive Fair Oaks Ca 95628

Corp2000
720 14th Street Sacramento, Ca 95814

Paracorp Incorporated
2804 Gateway Oaks Dr #100, Sacramento, CA 95833

Next Page