California Business Entity Search: look up any company in seconds.
A complete 2026 guide to the California Secretary of State bizfile Online business search. Verify a company, check whether your LLC name is available, and read every result field before you form, invest, or sign.
Quick answer: California Business Entity Search
What the California Business Entity Search does
The California Business Entity Search is a free public lookup of every entity registered with the California Secretary of State, run through the bizfile Online portal. It covers corporations, LLCs, and partnerships, including entities formed in other states that registered to do business in California. It is the first check founders, investors, suppliers, and banks make before doing business with a company.
How to run a California business search
Follow these steps on the official bizfile Online portal. Searching is free and needs no account or login.
Open the bizfile Online search
Go to bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business, the official California Secretary of State business search page.
Enter a name or entity number
Run a basic search by the full or partial business name, or by the 12-digit Secretary of State entity number.
Use the advanced filters
Narrow your results by entity type, status, or filing date when a name search returns too many records.
Open the entity record
Click the entity to view its status, entity number, agent for service of process, and addresses.
Download filed documents free
California lets you view and download filed copies of the Articles and Statements of Information at no cost.
What each result field means
Once you open an entity’s record, read the status field first. California shows active, suspended, or dissolved. A common status is FTB suspended, which happens when an LLC falls behind on its franchise tax. You can download filed copies of the Articles and Statements of Information for free.
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Entity Name | The legal registered name of the business |
| Entity Number | The 12-digit Secretary of State entity number |
| Type | LLC, corporation, LP, LLP, or GP |
| Status | Active, suspended, FTB suspended, or dissolved |
| Registration Date | When the entity registered with the state |
| Agent for Service | California’s registered agent for legal documents |
| Statements of Info | Free filed copies of Articles and biennial statements |
California checks name availability against like entity types, so compare the core wording before designators like LLC or Inc. California is clear that the online Business Search is only a preliminary search, not a formal name availability decision. Do not order branding or signage based on a search alone. You can reserve a name through bizfile Online.
What you can and can’t find in California records
California records are public and fairly detailed. The Statement of Information lists the LLC’s managers or members, the agent for service of process, and the business address, all viewable and downloadable for free. Some internal details still stay off the record. Here is what is visible and what is not.
🔓 Public on the record
- Company legal name
- Business ID (control number)
- Registered agent name & address
- Entity type & status
- Formation date & filing history
🔒 Never disclosed
- Operating Agreement
- Internal financials & profit split
- EIN & tax filings
- Bank account details
- Private home addresses (unless listed)
Because California lists managers or members and addresses on the Statement of Information, founders who want more privacy often use an agent service rather than their own address. Be Filing provides an agent for service of process in California so your personal address stays off the public filing.
California is the largest market, with costs to match
If you’re researching California entities, you may be weighing it for your own company. California offers unmatched market access, but its costs are higher than most states. Here is an honest look.
Largest US economy
California is the biggest state market and a global hub for tech and commerce.
$70 to form
The Articles of Organization filing fee is $70, with a $20 Statement of Information.
Plan for $800 tax
Every California LLC owes an $800 minimum annual franchise tax. Budget for it early.
Fully online filing
Form your LLC and file Statements of Information online through bizfile Online.
No residency rule
You never need to live in or visit California to form an LLC there.
Best for CA business
California makes most sense if you actually operate or sell in the state.
Ready to form your California LLC?
Be Filing handles it end-to-end for founders in 75+ countries: Registered Agent, EIN, U.S. business address, and BOI report included. No SSN or ITIN required to form.
