California Secretary of State Business Search
If you are looking for a California business entity, you should perform a business search through the Secretary of State. You can do this by searching the database for the entity number or by name. The database will pull up all matching corporations. You can also conduct an advanced search using the filing number.
Identifying entity types
In the California Secretary of State business search database, you can search for information about domestic stock corporations, nonprofit corporations, and qualified foreign corporations. You can also search for information on the status of the entity, and its initial filing date. The search will populate the list according to the information you provide. Keep in mind, however, that the database only includes information on the first 500 closest matching entities. It also doesn’t include general or limited partnerships.
When conducting your search, always be careful to make sure that you enter the correct terms. The search function may fail to return results, so you should double-check your search criteria and the entity type. You may have confused the DBA or the legal name, so it’s crucial to select the correct entity type. Also, keep in mind that the entity number should have the letter “C” before it. If the California secretary of state business search fails to find the entity you are looking for, you may have to refine your search criteria.
Advanced search
If you’re looking for information on a California business entity, you can perform an Advanced search by entering the entity’s name or number. The advanced search feature will return results for only entities that match the specified criteria. In California, businesses are officially registered with the Secretary of State. The database contains all the official information of registered businesses. Performing an Advanced search is a great way to brainstorm business ideas.
When performing an advanced search, the California secretary of state will show you a list of business entities that begin with the same letters. By clicking the business name, you will find more information, such as contact information. You can also see whether the business is registered with various agencies. You can even see when the business was filed.
Filing number
When looking up a company’s profile in the California secretary of state, you may want to search by filing number. This will give you access to any information the business entity has on file with the state. The database includes information on domestic stock corporations, nonprofit corporations, and qualified foreign corporations. You can also lookup information by entity type or initial filing date to find out more information.
You can find this information using the California Secretary of State’s website. All corporations registered in the state of California are assigned a filing number. This number is different from the tax identification number. This is a 12-digit number that starts with the year the business was created.
Choosing agent for service of process
If you’re forming a corporation in California, you need to choose an agent who is physically located in the state. The secretary of state’s website allows you to search for an agent’s address. If you’re forming a business outside of California, you can still choose a registered agent who is in-state. Your registered agent’s name and address are public record and are available to the public. However, you can avoid this problem by choosing a registered agent service that will keep your name and address private.
A registered agent serves two vital functions for your business. First, they act as the main contact point for the Secretary of State. Second, they receive important tax notifications and other compliance information. But their most important function is to accept service of process – documents notifying the company or individual of a pending lawsuit. A registered agent is required when you form a corporation or LLC.
Cost
California Business Search is a search engine that provides access to information held by the California Secretary of State. Its database contains over 17 million imaged business entity documents, including the latest Statements of Information filed by Corporations and Limited Liability Companies. This service is cost-free. However, it does have a few limitations.
The California Secretary of State maintains a list of Registered Corporate Agents. It is also possible to search online for contact information for these entities. However, it is necessary to obtain advanced approval from a Registered Corporate Agent.
