Quick answer: how to look up and verify an LLC
- Go to the state’s official business entity search. Use the state where the LLC was formed or registered to do business.
- Search by the full name, a partial name or the entity number.
- Open the record and review the status, formation date, state ID, registered agent, principal office and filing history.
- To verify the LLC, confirm it’s active and in good standing. Order a Certificate of Good Standing if you need official proof (most states charge a fee).
- To look up owners, open linked filings such as the articles or annual reports. If owners aren’t listed, contact the registered agent, check local licenses or review other public filings.
Tip for name lookups: remove punctuation and try common variations, like LLC vs. L.L.C. Try singular and plural, and try the core keyword without generic terms like company or services.
What you can find in an LLC lookup
A standard state record usually shows the legal name, entity number, status, standing, formation date, registered agent, registered office, principal office and filing history. Many records link to PDFs of the articles of organization, amendments and annual reports. Some states also list managers or members, especially for manager-managed LLCs, and a few use the term governors.
Step by step: how to look up an LLC
Step 1. Identify the correct state database
The official record is in the state where the LLC was formed. If the company does business in another state, it may also appear there as a foreign LLC. When in doubt, start with the state you know, then check others where the company operates.
Step 2. Search by name, ID or keyword
Use the exact name first. If that fails, loosen the search: remove commas and periods, and try the root of the name to catch spelling differences. If you have an entity number or filing ID, use it. That’s the fastest route to the right record.
Step 3. Read the record like a pro
Status tells you whether the LLC exists. Good standing tells you whether it’s current on reports and fees. An LLC can be active but not in good standing, which usually means a missed annual report or fee. Terms vary by state: you may see active, current, delinquent, inactive, dissolved, revoked, forfeited or terminated. The record should also show the registered agent and principal office.
Step 4. Open filings to uncover details
Owners rarely appear on the main summary page, so click into the filings. Articles of organization sometimes list organizers, members or managers. Annual reports often list members or managers, depending on the state. If PDFs are available, skim them; names often appear there.
Step 5. Verify legitimacy
Verification is a three-part check. Confirm the entity exists and is active. Confirm the registered agent matches what the business gave you. Confirm good standing, ideally with a Certificate of Good Standing from the state. For large deals, you can also check the company’s tax status, confirm its licenses with local agencies and look for UCC liens.
How to verify an LLC is legit
Verification means the LLC exists, is allowed to do business and is the company you think it is. Use the state record as your source of truth. Match the LLC’s legal name, entity number and registered agent to the details on its contract, invoice or website. If you need proof for a bank or vendor, get a Certificate of Good Standing from the state. For extra comfort, check that the business address and website contact details match the record.
Red flags include: no record in the state the company claims, a forfeited or revoked status, a registered agent or address that doesn’t match what you were given, or a company that refuses to provide a Certificate of Good Standing.
How to look up LLC owners
Owner information is public in some states and private in others. Many states publish managers, and some require at least one member or manager on every annual report, but many don’t publish members at all. The fastest way to find owners is to open the filings linked in the record.
Where owners may appear:
- Articles of Organization
- Initial list, annual report or Statement of Information
- DBA or assumed name filings
- Local business license records
- UCC filings and court records
- Public procurement documents and press releases
If owners aren’t listed:
- Contact the registered agent, who can forward a message to the company
- Check city or county license portals for the business name and address
- Search for UCC liens using the business name and state
- Review the company website, team page or news mentions
- Consider a professional public records search if the stakes are high
Federal filings: since March 2025, LLCs formed in the U.S. no longer have to file beneficial ownership information (BOI) reports with FinCEN, and reports filed earlier aren’t public.
Name availability: how to check and reserve an LLC name
A name that looks available on Google can still be taken at the state. Run an official LLC name search in the right state and review its rules on similar names: most states block names that are deceptively similar, not just exact matches. Include a designator like LLC, and avoid restricted words like bank or insurance unless you qualify.
If the name looks clear, you can often reserve it for a short time or form your LLC right away. Tailor Brands includes a free name check when you form your LLC with us.
Check my LLC status and what to do next
If your status is active
Download proof of status, and consider ordering a Certificate of Good Standing if a bank or vendor will ask for one. Set reminders for your annual report and any franchise tax deadlines, and confirm your registered agent is current and reachable.
If your status is inactive, revoked or forfeited
You can usually fix this by filing for reinstatement: file any overdue annual reports, pay the fees and update your agent or address if they’ve changed. Tailor Brands can help you build a compliance plan and set up reminders so it doesn’t happen again.
State by state LLC search directory
Records vary by state. Here’s what you’ll typically see in each state’s record and a tip for each. Use it as a quick guide; you’ll still search on the state’s official portal.
| State | What you typically see | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama business search | Status, formation date, entity ID, registered agent, principal office, filings | Open the PDFs. Organizers and amendments sometimes reveal names. |
| Alaska business search | Status, home state, registered agent, officials for many LLCs, filings | The Officials section often lists members or managers. |
| Arizona business search | Status, statutory agent, principal address, filings. Principal information lists members or managers | Arizona LLCs don’t file annual reports. Check Principal Information in the Arizona Business Center record, then the latest amendment for changes. |
| Arkansas business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, filing history | Use the partial name search to catch punctuation variations. The annual franchise tax report lists members or managers. |
| California business search | Status, entity number, agent for service of process, filing history, Statement of Information | The Statement of Information, filed every 2 years, lists managers (or members if there are none) and any CEO. |
| Colorado business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, history and documents | Use History and Documents to view PDFs. The articles name the person forming the LLC; periodic reports don’t list owners. |
| Connecticut business search | Status, business ID, registered agent, principal office, principals, annual reports | Every annual report must name at least one principal (member, manager or managing member). |
| Delaware business search | Free search shows file number, formation date and registered agent. Status costs extra. Owners are not listed | Pay $10 for status ($20 with tax and filing history), or order a $50 Certificate of Good Standing for official proof. LLCs file no annual report. |
| District of Columbia business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, filings | Search in BOSS (formerly CorpOnline). The biennial report lists at least one governor and owners with more than 10%. |
| Florida business search | Status, registered agent, principal address, annual reports, managers for many LLCs | Search by the root of the name on Sunbiz to catch close matches. |
| Georgia business search | Status, control number, registered agent, principal office, annual registration history | LLC annual registrations don’t list members or managers, so owners rarely appear. Search with Contains, not Exact Match. |
| Hawaii business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, filings. Many LLCs list managers | Open the most recent annual report for names and roles. |
| Idaho business search | Status, registered agent, mailing and principal addresses, filings | The certificate of organization and each annual report name at least one governor. Use entity number if known. |
| Illinois business search | Status, registered agent, management type, filing history | Annual reports list managers, or members with management authority if there are no managers. |
| Indiana business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, governing persons, filing history | The business entity report, filed every 2 years on INBiz, lists governing persons. |
| Iowa business search | Status, registered agent, office addresses, filings | Owners rarely appear. Neither the certificate of organization nor the biennial report requires member names. |
| Kansas business search | Status, resident agent, principal office, information report history | The biennial information report lists members owning 5% or more. Search both name and ID. |
| Kentucky business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, current officers for many entities | Look for the current officers panel for members or managers. |
| Louisiana business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, members or managers listed as officers in most records | Check the Officers section in the business filings search. The initial and annual reports keep the member or manager list current. |
| Maine business search | Status, charter number, registered agent, filings | The annual report must name at least one member, manager or other authorized person. Request a copy of the latest report. |
| Maryland business search | Status, SDAT ID, resident agent, principal office, documents list | Good Standing status and resident agent are reliable. Owners rarely show. |
| Massachusetts business search | Status, identification number, office address, resident agent, managers or authorized signers, filings | Use the Filing History to open the latest annual report PDF for current managers. |
| Michigan business search | Status, ID number, resident agent, registered office, filing history. LLC records don’t list members or managers | Owner names rarely appear in the MiBusiness Registry. The annual statement only updates the resident agent and registered office, so check the articles for the organizer. |
| Minnesota business search | Status, file number, registered office, registered agent if any, manager, filing history | Minnesota LLCs don’t have governors. The annual renewal names a manager, so check the latest renewal for that name. |
| Mississippi business search | Status, business ID, registered agent, principal office, filings, members or managers from the annual report | The annual report lists each member or manager. You can also search by officer name if you know a person. |
| Missouri business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, filings | Missouri LLCs do not file annual reports. Owner data is rare. Use articles. |
| Montana business search | Status, registered agent, mailing and principal addresses, filings | Members or managers appear in the articles and the most recent annual report. |
| Nebraska business search | Status, registered agent, designated office, filing history | Use broad search terms. Owner names rarely appear, because the certificate of organization and biennial report don’t ask for members or managers. |
| Nevada business search | Status, registered agent, managing members or managers, officer list, filings | The Initial List or Annual List is the best place for owners. |
| New Hampshire business search | Status, business ID, registered agent, principal office, filing history, trade names | Open the latest annual report for managers, or at least one member if there are no managers. |
| New Jersey business search | Name, entity ID, city, type and formation date in the free search. Status and agent details come from paid records | Order a status report or document copies through the Business Records Service. The annual report lists managers or managing members. |
| New Mexico business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, filings | New Mexico LLCs don’t file annual reports, so owners are typically not public. Articles may only show whether managers manage the LLC. |
| New York business search | Status, DOS ID, service of process address, filing history | Owners rarely listed. The biennial statement updates only the address, so use the exact legal name and check amendments. |
| North Carolina business search | Status, SOSID, registered agent, principal office, annual report status, company officials, filing history | Check the company officials on the record. They come from the latest annual report, which lists managers or members. |
| North Dakota business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, managers or governors in many records | Search in FirstStop. The annual report lists managers or governors, not owners. |
| Ohio business search | Status, statutory agent, filing history, document images | Ohio LLCs don’t file annual reports. Check the articles or amendment PDFs for names, and filter by Active. |
| Oklahoma business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, filings | Owners aren’t listed. The articles and annual certificate don’t name members or managers, only the member or manager who signs. |
| Oregon business search | Status, registry number, registered agent, principal office, at least one member or manager | Members or managers appear under associated names. Check the latest annual report for updates. |
| Pennsylvania business search | Status, entity number, registered office or CROP, filings, annual reports | Open the latest annual report (required since 2025). It names at least one governor (a member or manager). |
| Rhode Island business search | Status, resident agent, principal office, annual report history | Annual reports don’t list members or managers. For a manager-managed LLC, the Articles of Organization name the managers. |
| South Carolina business search | Status, registered agent, designated office, filings | LLCs usually don’t file annual reports, so owner data is rare. The articles name managers for manager-managed LLCs. |
| South Dakota business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, filings | Members aren’t listed. For manager-managed LLCs, the annual report names the managers. |
| Tennessee business search | Status, control number, registered agent, principal address, filing history | Search in TNCaB. The annual report lists managers only if the LLC is manager-managed. Members aren’t listed. |
| Texas business search | Free status in the Comptroller’s Franchise Tax Account Status search. SOSPortal record has filings and agent ($1 per search, account required) | Check status free with the Comptroller, which also shows officers and managers from the latest Public Information Report. Use SOSPortal for filings. |
| Utah business search | Status, entity number, registered agent, principal address, renewal date | Search on OneStop Business Registration. The annual renewal lists the LLC’s governing persons (members or managers). |
| Vermont business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, filing history | Members or managers sometimes appear in annual reports. The law only requires office and agent details. |
| Virginia business search | Status, SCC entity ID, registered agent, principal office, filing history | Managers are not always listed. Virginia LLCs file no annual report, so check the articles for organizers. |
| Washington business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, governing persons in many reports | Open the latest annual report to view governing persons. |
| West Virginia business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, managers or members for many LLCs | Open the record details. Annual reports list managers and members with authority to sign. |
| Wisconsin business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, filing history, last annual report year | Owners are limited. The annual report names at least one member or manager, and the articles list the organizer. |
| Wyoming business search | Status, registered agent, principal office, filing history | Owner names are rare. Initial filings may list an organizer only. |
This table is a snapshot. Always rely on the fields shown in the state’s record for final answers.
How to get a Certificate of Good Standing
A Certificate of Good Standing is an official state document confirming that the LLC exists and is current on its filings and fees. Banks, marketplaces and larger vendors often ask for one. You order it from the state: many states let you download it right after you pay, and others mail or email it. Fees vary by state. If your status shows delinquent or not in good standing, file the overdue report first, then order the certificate.
Common roadblocks and quick workarounds
- The name has punctuation or special characters: remove punctuation and search the core words.
- The company uses a trade name: search for assumed names or DBAs in the same state and county.
- A recently formed LLC is missing: wait a few days and try again, or search by filing number if you have it.
- The record shows only the registered agent: contact the agent to forward your inquiry, or check the linked PDFs.
- Parent and subsidiary names look similar: confirm the exact entity number and formation date.
- Series LLCs or conversions: read the filings. You may need to open the series registration or conversion document to see the full picture.
What to do after your search
If you’re vetting a company: gather the state record, a Certificate of Good Standing and a W-9. Verify any required licenses with the city or county, and if you’ll pay large invoices, consider checking for UCC liens.
If you’re starting a company: run an LLC name search, choose a registered agent, form your LLC, get an EIN, open a business bank account, create an operating agreement and set reminders for your annual report. Tailor Brands walks you through each step in one dashboard.
Tools, forms and records you may see
- Articles of Organization: the document that created the LLC.
- Amendment: a change to the articles, such as the name or managers.
- Annual report or Statement of Information: a regular update to the state, filed every year or two in most states.
- Certificate of Good Standing: proof the LLC exists and is current.
- Registered agent: the official contact for legal notices.
- Principal office: the company’s main address on record.
- UCC lien: a filing that shows a secured creditor.
- DBA or assumed name: a trade name the company uses publicly.
Disclaimers and when to get legal help
This guide is educational and doesn’t replace legal advice. State records change and fields vary by state. If you need to confirm ownership for a high-stakes contract or acquisition, consult an attorney or a professional due diligence service.
FAQ
Use your state’s business entity search, enter the LLC name or entity number, then open the record to see its status, registered agent and filings.
Confirm the record shows active status and good standing, match the registered agent details and get a Certificate of Good Standing.
Search your state’s database for your LLC and read the status field, then file any overdue reports or pay any fees that affect your good standing.
Open the filings linked in the record. Some states list members or managers in the articles, annual reports or initial lists.
A few states let you search by officer or manager name, but most databases don’t support owner name searches.
The registered agent’s name and address appear on the state’s entity record and in most annual reports.
Run a name search in the right state, review its rules on similar names, then reserve the name or form your LLC if it looks clear.
It’s a state document that proves the LLC exists and is current on its required filings and fees.
Active means the LLC exists, while good standing depends on filing reports and paying fees on time, so you may need to file or pay to restore it.
It depends on the state. Many states publish managers, and some require at least one member or manager on annual reports, but member names are often not listed.
Contact the agent to forward your inquiry, open the PDFs for names, or check local license and UCC records for more clues.