How to Do an LLC Lookup in California: Search, Verify, and Check Leadership

An LLC lookup is an official search for any LLC entity via the California Secretary of State’s database. You can use this search to research multiple details about a business, including compliance violations and registration status. By the end of this guide, you’ll know how to both find and read a record in the Golden State.

Why you might need an LLC lookup in California

You might conduct an LLC lookup to verify:

• If a business is active and in good standing.
• To ensure your business’ name isn’t the same as another’s.
• The name and address of the company’s owners/registered agent.

An LLC lookup can give you a solid foundation to help you make basic decisions, like whether to sign a contract. It can also help you find a unique name for your company, so you can carve out a customer base.

What an LLC lookup is

An LLC lookup searches California’s business entity database to find individual records on all registered businesses. This method is considered the most reliable public source for LLCs in the state (even though you may still run into a discrepancy or outdated information along the way). While an LLC lookup focuses specifically on verifying registration and compliance details for limited liability companies, you can also perform a California Secretary of State business search to check broader name availability or explore other types of entities registered in the state.

What an LLC lookup helps you confirm

LLC lookups can confirm core details behind a company. Here, we’ll look at the language of the search database, so it’s easier to decipher.

Standing

Lookups show you if a business is:

• Active: Active businesses are authorized to conduct standard operating procedures.
• Inactive: An inactive LLC, sometimes called dormant, has ceased operations for the time being, even though it may still meet all compliance requirements (e.g., taxes, etc.).
• Suspended/forfeited: Refers to an LLC that has failed to meet some or all its compliance requirements.
• Dissolved: Refers to LLCs that are formally wrapping up the company’s existence. Once the dissolution process is complete, the Secretary of State will officially cancel the business.

Date and location of filing

LLC lookups show when and where the company was formed. The database will show you companies that were formed in California and businesses that were formed elsewhere but still operate in the Golden State.

Name and address of registered agent

A registered agent is an individual or entity that can accept and process official paperwork on behalf of an organization. Sometimes called an “agent for service of process,” a registered agent handles anything from official lawsuits to tax notices to renewal reminders.

What an LLC lookup won’t show you

LLC looks up notably may not show:

• Ownership: Owners are not required to list themselves. While the registered agent can be the owner (and manager) of the company, owners have the right to remain off the public record. In addition, legal services can operate as official registered agents, which can make it difficult to untangle who’s behind the business.

Common reasons people run an LLC lookup in California

You might run a lookup if:

• A prospective contractor requests 50% payment upfront, and you want to verify their standing.
• You want to name your company Good Thyme LLC, but don’t want it to legally conflict with another business name (e.g., Good Time, etc.).
• You’re serving a lawsuit to a company and verifying where to send the paperwork to.
• To confirm your own business’ standing within the state.

What you can find in a California LLC lookup

A California lookup will show you:

• Legal business name
• Entity number
• Registered agent information
• Standings

Please note that California breaks down LLC standing into: Secretary of State, Franchise Tax Board, Victims of Corporate Fraud Compensation, and Agent. Ideally, the business should be in good/active standing across the board.

Conducting an LLC search in California: step-by-step guide with tips

Follow our steps for an easy LLC search.

1. Go to the official California LLC search portal

Visit the California Secretary of State’s website and scroll down to the search bar. You do not need to use a specific browner or log into the site to search. You’ll see two tabs: Business and UCC (Uniform Commercial Code). Use the Business tab for standard searches and the UCC tab to see any outstanding lien notices for the business.

2. Choose the best search method

You can search by multiple methods:

• Exact name search: This is usually the best way to start. Please note that when you search by exact name, you’ll see related business names. So, if you search for McDonald’s the fast-food company, you’ll still have to sift through all businesses with “McDonald” in the name.
• Partial/keyword search: Use a partial search if you’re unclear of the spelling/punctuation/full name.
• Entity number: This is the fastest way to search for a company as there’s only one entity number per LLC.

If you still can’t find the company, you may have their DBA name only. To find the official record for the LLC, search the California fictitious name database.

3. Use quick search tips to get accurate results

Here are a few things to keep in mind to improve accuracy:

• Remove punctuation and special characters
• Try “LLC” vs “L.L.C.”
• Try singular/plural versions
• Search the core keyword
• Use the entity number when available

In general, the California search database is fairly forgiving, so you should find the business even without jumping through a lot of hoops. The more likely scenario is that you’ll turn up far too many businesses to sort through. When possible, find the business’ entity number to produce better results.

4. Open a result and read the key fields

Once you find the right business, click on the name, and then check the standing, registered agent, and formation date. In the example below, you can see when the business became inactive. It also reveals that the business neither has a registered agent on file nor a good standing with the Federal Franchise Tax board.

5. Check filings / PDFs for deeper details

For more information on the company, click on the View History found on the left side at the bottom of the record. Here you may find:

• Articles of Incorporation: Lists initial details about the company, such as early management structure.
• Amendments: Lists notable changes within the organization, including shifts in business model.
• Annual Report or Statement of Information: Includes additional details, such as a change in the current management or registered agent.

If you’re looking for the LLC’s ownership or management details, it may only be found in these official links and documents. However, the owners are not required to reveal this information and may have taken great care to ensure it’s not included.

How to verify an LLC is legit in California

If you’re quickly verifying an LLC, pay attention to the following:

• Existence: Please note that the Secretary of State will list all operating businesses in California even if it was formed in a different state or country.
• Status: Verify all standings, including taxes, registered agent, and fraud. Ideally, everything should be in solid standing as opposed to canceled, suspended, forfeited, or inactive.
• Registered agent data: Ensure the name and agent address match the details on official documents (e.g., invoices, contracts, etc.).
• Additional documents. Ideally, all additional documents should be detailed and up-to-date.

Red flags

The biggest red flags include:

• No record at all.
• Poor standing (e.g., Forfeited, Canceled, Suspended, Dissolved, or Not Good).
• Mismatched registered agent name and address.
• Refusal by the company to provide additional valid documentation (e.g., certification, licenses, etc.).

What to do after your California LLC lookup

What you do after a lookup depends on the nature of the search.

If you’re vetting a business in California

Before you do business with another company, you can:

• Save or download the LLC’s documents so you can reference them in more detail (or potentially have a lawyer look them over).
• Order a Certificate of Good Standing if required.
• Search the UCC to learn more about any additional financial matters tied to the business.
• Verify additional licenses, such as professional certifications to ensure everything is in good standing.

If you’re starting an LLC in California

If you’re starting a California LLC, it’s important to choose a business name (or DBA) that’s compliant with California naming rules. Once you have a name, you can choose a registered agent, file the proper paperwork, and set reminders for all future deadlines, like filing estimated state taxes.

Conclusion

LLC lookups can reveal a lot about a California business, but you first need to know how to read each line and where to find additional information. Whether you’re doing a quick lookup or a more detailed dive, you can use our tips to run a more efficient search.

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