Quick Answer
Use the Alabama Secretary of State’s Business Entity Records page to run an Alabama entity search by entity name, entity number, officer, agent, incorporator, or reservation and registration ID. For most business name checks, start with the Entity Name search option, then review exact and similar records before relying on a name.
How to Search Alabama Business Entity Records
The Alabama search flow starts from the Secretary of State’s Business Entity Records page. That page lists multiple search paths, and each option opens in a separate browser window.
Access the Business Entity Records Webpage
Go directly to the Alabama Business Entity Records
Choose Your Search Type
The system provides multiple search options. Choose one of the following methods:
- Entity Name
- Entity Number
- Officer | Agent | Incorporator
- Reservation | Registration by ID
Select “Entity Name” to search for your desired business name. This selection opens a new page with specific search parameters.
Enter Search Criteria
Type your target business name into the search field. You can refine your results by utilizing the available drop-down menus and fields:
- Type
- Place of Formation
- Principal City
- Status
Providing more criteria will narrow the results. If you only have the business name, that is sufficient to run the query. Click “Search” once your information is entered.
Select From the Search Results
Review the matching records. Click on the “Entity ID” or “Entity Name” links to access the business details page.
View Entity Information
The Business Entity Records page provides detailed data and document options. The following information is available:
Business Entity Information:
- Entity ID Number
- Entity Type
- Principal Address
- Principal Mailing Address
- Status
- Place of Formation
- Formation Date
- Registered Agent Name
- Registered Office Street Address
- Nature of Business
Organizers:
- Organizer Name
- Organizer Address
Additional Records:
- Annual Reports (by year)
- Transactions (Transaction Date, Miscellaneous Filing History)
- Scanned Documents (with the option to purchase available files)
If the search results return no matches for Alabama, your desired business name is likely available. If it is available, you can proceed with the formation of your company under this name.
How to Interpret Alabama Results
An Alabama result does not automatically mean a name is unavailable, and no result does not guarantee approval. Look for exact matches, names that differ only by entity ending, and records that may create a conflict because they are too similar. Compare the core wording before entity designators such as LLC, Inc., Corp., LP, or nonprofit wording.
Alabama notes that it moved from a six-digit to a nine-digit entity ID format, so older references may show shorter IDs. If you are searching by entity number, include leading zeros when the official record uses them.
Alabama Business Name and Filing Notes
The Alabama Secretary of State Business Entities Division maintains records for domestic and foreign entities, including for-profit corporations, nonprofit corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, registered limited liability partnerships, and limited liability limited partnerships.
Alabama business formation pages and forms use separate filing paths for LLCs, business corporations, nonprofits, partnerships, and foreign registrations. Name search should be treated as one part of that workflow. If you plan to form or register an entity, review the official forms, name reservation requirements, and entity-specific filing instructions before submitting documents.
Common Mistakes
- Searching only one exact spelling and missing close variations.
- Assuming “no results” is the same as state approval.
- Adding an entity ending too early and missing records that use the same core name with a different ending.
- Treating an LLC search, corporation search, or nonprofit search as separate from the broader Alabama entity records database.
- Confusing the business entity record search with legal advice or a formal name reservation.