Summary
- Many businesses call California home: including more than 1.7 million private-sector businesses and more than 3 million sole proprietorships, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
- If you plan to start a business in California, or if you want to do business with companies operating in the state of California, you can use the California Secretary of State’s business search tools to access official information about your own business and other businesses registered in the state.
- Learn more in this guide to the California Secretary of State Business Search
Nav Technologies, Inc. does not provide legal, tax, financial or other advice. Consult your own experts and attorneys.
What is California Business Search?
The Business Entities Section of the California Secretary of State’s office processes filings and provides information about business entities—corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships (LPs), general partnerships, limited liability partnerships (LLPs) and other business filings—and makes that information available to the public.
The online California Business Search only provides information for LLCs, corporations, and limited partnerships. To get information about other types of businesses, you must submit a paper request.
Benefits of using California Business Search
The California Business Search allows you to quickly find information related to LLCs, corporations, and limited partnerships registered with California. This free tool can help you make informed decisions about your business relationships by allowing you to access official business records and documents filed with the California Secretary of State.
Here’s what you can do with California Business Search:
- Check your own business information to make sure it’s correct and up to date. While it is not a substitute for establishing business credit, it may be helpful as you’re seeking to expand your business or work with new clients.
- Verify potential business partners and vendors before signing contracts. You can confirm if a company is active and legally registered to operate in California.
- Download important business documents at no cost. You can access over 17 million business records, including recent Statements of Information for corporations and LLCs.
Look up basic details about other California businesses, such as:
- When the business was formed
- If it’s currently active
- Who the registered agent is
- The business address on file
With the advanced search you can even use factors such as compensation, independent auditors, and various disclosure criteria to conduct your search.
How to use the California Business Search tool effectively
The California Business Search is easy to use. It offers two search options:
Basic Search:
- Enter an entity name or entity number
- Searches only active businesses
- Shows key details like business status, filing date, entity type, and formation location
- Works best when you know the exact business name or number
Advanced Search:
- Offers more detailed search filters
- Lets you search inactive businesses
- Includes specific entity type searches (like nonprofit corporations or vending machines etc.)
- Provides access to publicly traded company information, including: corporate bankruptcies, legal proceedings, director and executive officer details, and filing date ranges
Business formation & NAICS resources
When you’re forming a business, you may find it helpful to work with a business formation service to ensure you file all the necessary paperwork, comply with annual reporting requirements, and avoid possible problems like trademark infringement.
You’ll also need to identify the proper SIC or NAICS code for your business. NAICS codes indicate the industry in which your business operates. Some NAICS codes make it more difficult to get financing.