Quick Answer
Use the California Secretary of State bizfileOnline Business Search to run a California entity search by business name or filing number. The search is useful for reviewing existing corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other records, but California says the online Business Search is only a preliminary search and not a formal name availability decision.
How to Search California Business Entity Records
California business entity records are searched through the Secretary of State’s bizfileOnline portal. You can start with a basic search, then use advanced filters when you need to narrow by entity type, status, or filing date.
Access the California Entity Search Tool
Go to the California business entity search page at https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business. This is the official Secretary of State search page for looking up California business entity records.
Define the Search Criteria
You can perform a basic or advanced search. For a basic search, enter the filing number or the full or partial business name into the search box. Click the magnifying glass icon to run the search.
For name planning, start with the core words of the proposed name instead of relying only on an entity ending such as LLC, Inc., Corporation, or LP. To apply filters, click “Advanced” and proceed to the next step.
Use the Advanced Search
Use the advanced search tool to apply specific filters to your query. Provide information or make a selection for any of the following fields:
- Search Filter
- Search Type
- Entity Type
- Status
- Filing Date
Advanced filters are helpful when a common word returns too many results or when you need to compare a proposed LLC name against LLC records rather than corporations or other entity types.
Review the Table Results
Your results will appear in a table. Sort the columns by clicking the provided arrows. The table displays:
- Entity Information
- Initial Filing Date
- Status
- Entity Type
- Formed In
- Agent
Click the business name in the first column to view additional details about the entity. Check exact matches, close spelling variations, and records that use the same core wording with a different entity ending.
View Business Entity Information
Check the right side of the page to view the entity contact information, formal standing, and processing agent details. Available data fields may include:
- Initial Filing Date
- Status
- Standing, SOS
- Standing, FTB
- Standing, Agent
- Standing, VCFCF
- Inactive Date
- Formed In
- Entity Type
- Principal Address
- Mailing Address
- Statement Of Information
- Due Date
- Agent
Select the available links when you need additional records or actions:
- Request Certificate
- View History
- Request Access
If the search returns no close matches, treat that as a useful research signal, not state approval. California reviews name compliance when formation, registration, reservation, or change documents are submitted.
If the search results return no matches for California, 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 California Results
California’s name rules are more specific than a simple keyword search. The Secretary of State says corporation, limited liability company, and limited partnership names must be distinguishable in the records and may not be likely to mislead the public. It also notes that name availability is checked against like entity types, not every possible public record category.
The online Business Search is a preliminary search. It does not check trademarks, service marks, or county fictitious business names. If you are choosing a new name, compare exact matches, close variants, former records, and entity-type differences before filing.
California Business Name and Filing Notes
The California Secretary of State fee schedule lists a $70 filing fee for a domestic LLC Articles of Organization and a $20 Statement of Information fee. California LLCs must also file a Statement of Information after formation and every two years after that.
California tax compliance is separate from the Secretary of State search. The Franchise Tax Board says every LLC that is doing business or organized in California must pay an $800 annual tax, and LLCs with more than $250,000 of California income may owe an additional LLC fee.
For name planning, use bizfileOnline first, then review the Secretary of State name reservation guidance before ordering branding, signs, stationery, or making financial commitments based on a proposed name.
Common Mistakes
- Treating California Business Search results as a formal name availability approval.
- Forgetting that California checks name availability against like entity types.
- Assuming the Secretary of State search covers trademarks, service marks, or county fictitious business names.
- Searching only one exact spelling and missing punctuation, spacing, plural, or abbreviation variants.
- Ignoring Franchise Tax Board standing when reviewing an existing California entity.
- Forgetting the Statement of Information and California LLC tax requirements after formation.