Every state in the U.S. has an office that registers business entities, including limited liability companies (LLCs). Certain information about an LLC is part of the public record. This means that it is available to anyone who knows where to look. The Delaware Division of Corporations maintains a database of every business entity registered in the state. It is the most reliable and up-to-date resource for information about Delaware LLCs.
A state’s official LLC records can help a new business owner check for name conflicts. It can provide information needed to vet a business or file legal documents. The types of information publicly available about an LLC vary by state. Delaware law provides privacy protections for business owners, so the state’s online database will not display their names or addresses. It will, however, provide important information like an LLC’s full legal name and its registered office in the state.
In just a few minutes, you will know how to search the Delaware state database for LLC records and what the results mean.
Why might you need an LLC lookup in Delaware?
A person might want information about a Delaware LLC to:
- Confirm that they are an active business in good standing
- Vet them as a potential vendor or partner
- Obtain data for market research
- Gather information for regulatory compliance
- See if its name might conflict with a new business’s planned name
Name availability is especially important for new businesses. Before forming a Delaware LLC, a business owner should search the Division of Corporations database. The state could reject LLC paperwork with a name that is already taken or that is too similar to an existing Delaware LLC’s name. This can cost you money and valuable time.
What is an LLC lookup?
An LLC lookup is a search of the official Delaware business entity database to find a company’s public information. This is the most reliable public source for confirming a Delaware LLC’s existence and legal status.
What does an LLC lookup help you confirm?
A Delaware LLC search can provide the following information free of charge:
- The LLC’s full legal name
- Its registered agent and address in Delaware
- Its formation date
- Whether it is a domestic LLC formed in Delaware or a foreign entity formed in another state
For a fee, you can also obtain:
- An LLC’s current legal status
- Its tax status
- Its business filing history
The Delaware Division of Corporations does not disclose the names and addresses of LLC owners or managers. That information may be available from other sources, but state privacy laws bar its inclusion in the state database.
Common reasons people run an LLC lookup in Delaware
A person might do an LLC lookup for numerous reasons, including:
- Confirming that a business name is available
- Verifying a company’s status before paying an invoice or signing a contract
- Evaluating a vendor, client, or new business partner
- Confirming your own LLC is active and compliant with state law
What can you find in a Delaware LLC lookup?
A Delaware LLC lookup provides basic information about a company for free:
- Full legal name
- File number with the Division of Corporations
- Date of business formation
- Type of business entity, such as LLC, corporation, or limited partnership
- Whether the entity is domestic or foreign, which means formed in another U.S. state
- State of formation
- Name of the registered agent
- Address and telephone number of the registered agent
Delaware does not provide the names or addresses of business owners in its database. The registered agent may receive correspondence on the company’s behalf.
Additional information is available from the database for a fee:
- Status: For $10, you can obtain an LLC’s legal status, such as in good standing, dissolved, or revoked.
- Status, Tax & History Information: For $20, you can obtain an LLC’s legal status and its tax and filing history. You may be able to request copies of certain documents, such as the Certificate of Formation.
Conducting an LLC search in Delaware: step-by-step guide with tips
1. Go to the official Delaware LLC search portal
The Division of Corporations provides a General Information Name Search tool. The tool is relatively user-friendly.
2. Choose the best search method
The database provides two search options:
- Entity name
- File number
The “file number” option requires the exact number. It is the fastest search method, but it is not useful for general searches.
The “entity name” option allows you to enter an approximate name.
- If you only know part of the name, it can find similar names.
- If you are searching for names that might be similar to a name you want, it can find them.
- It can find equivalent words or symbols, such as “and” and “&.”
- If you know the exact name, or part of it, you can use quotation marks around that part to narrow the search results.
- Don’t make your search too general. If a search returns more than fifty results, it will ask you to narrow your search terms.
3. Use quick search tips to get accurate results
- Use the entity number when available
- Search only the core keyword
- Try singular/plural versions
- Remove punctuation and special characters — for example, try “LLC” instead of “L.L.C.”
4. Open a result and read the key fields
The results of a free search will not tell you if an LLC is active or in good standing. The page with the information gives you the option to request additional information for a fee:
- Status: $10
- Status, Tax & History Information: $20
The free results still provide important information, including:
- The full legal name and file number;
- Registered agent, address, and phone number;
- Date of formation;
- Whether the LLC was formed in Delaware or another state; and
- State of formation.
5. Check filings for deeper details
For $20, you can obtain an LLC’s legal status, tax status, and filing history. The Division of Corporations’ online search tool gives you this option when you click on the results of an LLC search. This will provide you with:
- Status, such as active, in good standing, or revoked;
- Tax status, including current franchise tax information; and
- Filing history with the Division of Corporations.
You may be able to obtain copies of an LLC’s formation documents from the Division of Corporations for an additional fee.
How can I verify an LLC is legit in Delaware?
Confirm the LLC exists in Delaware
Look for it in the official Delaware business entity search. If the LLC has been registered in Delaware at any point in recent history, it will appear in the database.
Check the LLC’s status
You can pay a $10 fee to obtain an LLC’s status. Common statuses include the following:
- Good standing: In compliance with Delaware law
- Dissolved: No longer in existence because of a voluntary decision by the owners
- Forfeited, failure to appoint a registered agent: Failed to appoint a registered agent within thirty days of the previous agent’s resignation
- Cancelled, failure to pay tax: Failed to pay annual state taxes for three years after the due date.
Confirm good standing or order proof
The Division of Corporations’ information on an LLC’s status is not the same as a Certificate of Good Standing. Delaware keeps its database current, but you might need official confirmation in some situations. To obtain a Certificate of Good Standing for an LLC, you must submit a written request with a $50 fee to the Division of Corporations.
A lack of good standing is often curable. An LLC can restore its good standing by paying overdue taxes, filing overdue reports, and paying penalties.
Red flags in Delaware
- No record appears in the Delaware database.
- Status shows revoked, forfeited, or dissolved.
- Registered agent or address doesn’t match the information you received.
- Not in good standing due to overdue reports, taxes, or fees.
- Refusal to provide a certificate when one is required or reasonably requested.
What do I do after a Delaware LLC lookup?
If you’re vetting a business in Delaware
- Print or download the LLC record for your files.
- Order a Certificate of Good Standing if a bank, vendor, or contract requires it.
- Verify any required local licenses, if relevant for the LLC’s industry or city.
- For larger deals, consider checking UCC liens or other public filings tied to the business name in Delaware.
If you’re starting an LLC in Delaware
- Run a name search for your business name and similar names.
- If the name is available, confirm that it complies with Delaware naming rules.
- Choose a registered agent who meets Delaware requirements.
- File formation documents with the Delaware Division of Corporations.
- Set reminders for Delaware annual/biennial reports and state tax deadlines.
Conclusion
An LLC lookup with the Delaware Division of Corporations is the simplest way to confirm an LLC’s legitimacy and legal compliance. The search tool is easy to use. The cost of detailed records ranges from $10 to $50. It is worth the cost before entering into a major contract or spending a significant sum with an LLC.
FAQ
You can search the Delaware Division of Corporations database for the business name you would like to use. If you do not find anything too similar, you should be able to use the name as long as it complies with state law.
Delaware LLC records do not identify the owners of LLCs or other business entities. Regulations affecting certain industries, such as federal banking rules, might require public disclosure of ownership, but this information is generally not available from the state government.
When you find an LLC in the Delaware Division of Corporations database, you can obtain its current legal status for $10. If necessary, you can request a Certificate of Good Standing for $50.