Business Search

California’s official Business Search makes it easy to look up companies, download free filings, and keep your own entity in good standing. This guide walks through what the state’s search covers, how to run both basic and advanced queries, how to read results like a pro, and how to use the connected services—certificates, Statements of Information, and more—to handle routine compliance without guesswork. You’ll also find practical tips pulled straight from California’s own instructions so you can avoid the delays that trip up many filers.

Understand What “Business Search” Includes—and Why It Matters

The Business Search is the State of California’s master index for corporations, LLCs, and LPs on file with the Secretary of State. It’s designed for public access and is free to use; you don’t need an account to search or to download plain PDF copies of imaged filings. Because the tool draws from official records, it’s the most authoritative way to confirm an entity’s status, type, initial filing date, formation jurisdiction, and the agent for service of process on record, alongside downloadable images of many filings.

If you’re vetting a vendor, checking a customer’s legal name, validating whether your own annual Statement of Information was received, or you just want a quick health check before signing a contract, this database is the place to start.

Hit the Ground Running: Start with the Official Business Search

To jump directly into the state’s database, use the official California Business Search page (bookmark the page so you’re always using the right site): go to the Business Search.

Once you’re there, you’ll notice two modes at the top: Business (entities) and UCC. For company lookups, keep the toggle on Business.

Master the Basics: Fast “Contains” Searches that Surface Active Entities

Type less, find more

The basic search is tuned for speed and expects at least three characters. It performs a contains lookup (keyword match), which is perfect for partial names or when you’re unsure of punctuation in a legal name.

Pro tips for the basic search:

Searching by entity number? Drop any “C” prefix—enter the number itself.

Basic mode returns active entities by default. If you don’t see what you expect—especially if the entity might be suspended, dissolved, or merged—switch to the Advanced filters.

What you’ll see on the results grid

Each result displays:

Entity Information (legal name and number)
Initial filing date
Status (e.g., Active, Suspended, Dissolved)
Entity type (e.g., Corporation, LLC, LP)
Formed in (jurisdiction)
Agent (name of the agent for service of process)

You can sort by any column. If your query returns a lot of noise, refine it with more of the name or jump to the advanced filters to narrow by entity type, status, or date ranges.

Go Deeper with Advanced Filters: Target Entities by Status, Type, and Timeframe

When “Advanced” is your best option

The Advanced panel is designed for precision. Use it when:

You need inactive entities (e.g., dissolved or surrendered)
You’re narrowing by entity type (All Corporations vs. All LLCs, etc.)
You need a “Starts with” filter rather than a general keyword search
You want to limit results to an initial filing date range

Filters you can combine in Advanced mode:

Search filter: Contains vs. Starts with (minimum three characters)

Entity type: Pick a specific structure or select a group (e.g., All Limited Liability Companies)

Status: Everything or a specific status (Active, Dissolved, Suspended/Forfeited, etc.)

Initial filing date: Confine the results to entities first filed in a particular period

Because search results are capped at 500 entities closest to your criteria, the Advanced panel is your friend when you’re dealing with common brand words or short acronyms.

Drill Into a Record: Use the Drawer to Access History, PDFs, and Next Steps

Click any result to open the entity drawer on the right. Here’s what you can do from that single view:

Scan the key facts at the top (entity number, type, status, jurisdiction).

Choose View History to see the filing timeline (initial registration, Statements of Information, amendments, and more).

Click Download where available to get free, plain copies of imaged documents (over 17 million business images are available).

If you’re logged in, you’ll also see action buttons to File Statement of Information, Request Certificate (for Certificates of Status and certified copies), and—if you’ve been granted permission—File Amendment or Manage User Access.

Download for Free, Certify When Needed: Know Which Copy Fits the Task

California distinguishes between plain copies and certified documents:

Plain copies are free to download from the Business Search history and are ideal for internal records, vendor files, or routine due diligence.

Certified copies and Certificates of Status serve formal needs (banking, closing, regulatory filings) and are requested through your account. After you select the entity in the search drawer, use Request Certificate and follow the prompts. To check processing expectations, glance at the state’s posted Business Processing Times page before you order; see processing dates published by the Secretary of State on the Business Entities timeline: check processing times.

Verification tip: When you obtain a certificate through the state portal, you can validate it directly using the state’s tool to verify certificates. For quick validation of both Business Entity and UCC certificates, use the link embedded on the online services site to verify BE & UCC certificates: verify via the Secretary of State portal at Verify Certificate within bizfile Online.

Keep Your Entity Current: File Statements of Information from the Same Portal

Falling behind on your Statement of Information leads to penalties and, eventually, suspension/forfeiture. From the entity drawer, choose File Statement of Information to submit the update online. The Secretary of State sets different filing cadences, generally:

Stock corporations and qualified out-of-state corporations: annual filings in the month of registration with California.

California nonprofit corporations and all LLCs: biennial filings in the month of registration (odd/even year depends on your initial registration year).

To review the details and timing reminders, walk through the state’s Statements of Information guidance published by the Secretary of State: review the Statements of Information page at visit Statements of Information.

Avoid the Biggest Pitfalls: Name Issues, Missing Fields, and Corrections

A lot of paper-submitted filings get returned for correction. Common reasons include:

Name conflicts or name style problems (not adhering to entity naming rules)
Omissions in required fields
Mismatched or inconsistent addresses and agent details

Before you file anything that changes your record, run a fresh Business Search on your entity and review the current data. Then consult California’s official filing tips to avoid preventable errors that would otherwise block or delay your submission. The Secretary of State provides a consolidated set of best-practice notes to help meet the minimum Corporations Code requirements: see Filing Tips at read filing tips.

Guard Against Misleading Mailers: Recognize Official vs. Look-Alike Solicitations

California regularly warns businesses about deceptive solicitations that mimic state forms—often urging you to buy unnecessary certificates or to pay inflated service fees. If you receive a solicitation that looks off, the Secretary of State’s Customer Alerts page explains what to watch for and how to report scams. Review the state’s guidance at see customer alerts.

When in doubt, remember: you can complete core tasks yourself through the state’s official portal—formation, Statements of Information, certified copies, and Certificates of Status—without going through a third party.

Use Advanced Public Company Tools: Search Publicly Traded Disclosures

If you’re researching publicly traded corporations registered to do business in California, the Advanced search area includes a Publicly Traded Disclosure mode. You can query:

Date ranges for disclosure filings

Yes/No indicators for corporate bankruptcy or legal proceedings

Names of directors or executive officers

Board composition metrics and certain compensation ranges

Additional disclosure flags (such as share/option details, bankruptcy, fraud, or loans to directors)

It’s a helpful way to cross-reference governance and disclosure data that the state collects under its annual public company requirements—without leaving the official portal.

Access Control and Online Filing: What to Know About Accounts and Permissions

You don’t need an account to search, sort, or download free plain copies. But to file or order anything (Statements of Information, certified copies, Certificates of Status) you’ll log in through the state’s secure authentication. The portal also includes role-based access control for each entity’s online record:

Full Access can file documents and grant/revoke access for others.

Basic Access can file documents but cannot manage user access.

If an entity has no online access controller yet, the system will mail a PIN to the entity’s mailing address of record to establish control.

If you need step-by-step system guidance and navigation tips, California maintains a dedicated bizfile hub that centralizes the online tools, help videos, and links to Business, UCC, and Trademarks services: explore the bizfile California homepage at visit the bizfile hub.

Verify Your Work: Check Certificates and Confirm Processing

Two checkpoints can save you headaches:

Processing expectations. Before you worry that your order is “stuck,” check the state’s daily Business Processing Times for filings and orders to see how current the queue is: glance at processing dates on the Business Entities page at check processing times.

Certificate validation. If you received a Certificate of Status or a certified copy, confirm authenticity using the state’s certificate verification feature available from the online services navigation (Verify BE & UCC Certificates) within the official portal.

Keep the Big Compliance Blocks on Autopilot

Here’s a straightforward cadence you can follow using the official tools:

Monthly: Run a quick Business Search on your entity. Confirm status is “Active,” addresses and agent are current, and your most recent filing image appears as expected.

At least 60–90 days before your Statement of Information month: Review the Statements of Information guidance and then file early online. The online path pre-validates key fields and helps you avoid mail-back corrections.

Whenever third parties request proof: Order a Certificate of Status through your account. If you need document images with the state seal, request certified copies through Request Certificate in your entity drawer.

Read Search Results Like an Expert: Statuses and What They Signal

You’ll most often see Active entities. But the search will also show other statuses when you opt into “All” via Advanced:

Suspended/Forfeited (Secretary of State): Often linked to failure to file a Statement of Information or, for certain corporations, failure to reimburse the Victims of Corporate Fraud Compensation Fund for a paid claim.

Suspended/Forfeited (Franchise Tax Board): Triggered by tax compliance issues (returns, fees, penalties). For a full revival, you must meet both the Secretary of State and Franchise Tax Board requirements—filing any overdue Statement of Information with the Secretary of State and satisfying tax revivor steps with FTB.

If the record shows an inactive status, use the entity drawer to review View History and determine the last good standing date, then plan your revival path (Statement of Information, any required reimbursements, and FTB revivor application).

Name Workflows that Touch Business Search: Reservations, Changes, and Checks

Although the Business Search isn’t a formal name reservation tool, it’s still a smart first stop for scanning potential conflicts. After you scan, handle the formal tasks through the state’s online forms:

Name reservation: Initiate through the Business forms area in the portal after logging in. If you’re just doing a quick scout, run an Advanced search and filter by entity type and status to see who’s nearby to your desired name.

Name change: If your entity needs to amend its legal name, use the correct amendment filing in the portal after you select your entity in the drawer. Cross-check Filing Tips before submitting to avoid the common name-related corrections that slow paper filings.

Due Diligence Use Cases: How Practitioners Leverage the Official Search

Contracting and vendor setup. Before issuing POs or wiring funds, confirm the exact legal name and status. Download a plain copy of the registration and latest Statement of Information for your file. If requested by your vendor management policy, order a Certificate of Status.

Lending and banking. Underwriting teams often ask for certified formation documents or a current Certificate of Status. Start at the entity drawer, use Request Certificate, and pick Certified Copies (you can search and select individual documents from the entity’s history) or Certificate of Status as needed.

Corporate housekeeping. Use the View History timeline to ensure your latest Statement of Information is on record and that any amendments (e.g., agent updates) imaged correctly. If your agent resigned, file a new Statement of Information promptly—California requires a new filing when the agent resigns.

Public company research. Use the Publicly Traded Disclosure Search in Advanced to surface board composition data points and disclosure flags without leaving the official system.

When Something Looks Off: Common Troubleshooting Paths

The filing image isn’t there yet. The Business Search is updated as documents are approved. If a download button doesn’t appear beside a recent entry, check processing dates and try again later. For certified versions, use Request Certificate once the filing is part of the public record.

Can’t file for my entity online. You may need access. In the entity drawer, click Request Access. If nobody controls the record online yet, the system will mail a PIN to the mailing address on file to establish access, after which a Full Access user can grant others Basic or Full access.

I got a “pay us to file” letter. Compare the letter to the state’s guidance on misleading solicitations. You can complete most filings directly in the portal and, if appropriate, report the solicitation using the state’s instructions on the Customer Alerts page.

Keep Learning Inside the Official System

If you’re forming, updating, or winding down an entity, you can navigate everything from the Secretary of State’s central hub, which pulls together the search, forms, help videos, and timelines for Business Entities, UCC, and Trademarks. To get oriented, start at the bizfile California homepage: open bizfile California at browse the bizfile homepage.

For first-time filers, the hub also links to brief video resources and a guided account access overview so you can create your secure login, find your entity, and begin filing from the online record page.

Compliance Calendar Nudge: Tie Business Search Into Your Annual Rhythm

Your registration month is your anchor. Corporations typically update annually in the registration month; LLCs and nonprofits generally file every two years in that month (odd/even year depending on the initial registration year).

Put a reminder 30–60 days before that month to run a Business Search on your entity. Confirm the record reflects your current agent and addresses before you file the Statement of Information so you don’t propagate stale data.

After filing, check the View History again in a few business days (referencing processing dates) to confirm the new image is posted—and download a plain copy to your compliance folder.

Business Search–Relevant Departments and Offices

Business Entities — 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 — (916) 657-5448

California Secretary of State — 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 — (916) 653-6814