To search the Secretary of State’s entity database, create a regular or temporary account and add a payment method (each entity search costs $1 plus convenience fees).

Once logged into an SOSDirect account (or temporary access account), select the Business Organizations menu and then select Find – Entity (see image).

Enter an entity name (or any keywords to discover matching business names) and click Search. A $1 fee will be charged to the credit card associated with the account.

A list of companies that match the search criteria will be displayed along with their filing number, entity type/status, and name type/status. More information on a company can be found by clicking on their filing number.

If the search yields no results, a notification will state There are no records which match your inquiry. This could potentially mean that the name provided is available for use.

Click on an entity’s filing number to bring up the details listed below and download filings.

• Filing number
• Filing date
• Formation date
• Tax ID
• Duration
• Entity name
• Address
• Type
• Status
• FEIN

At the bottom of the details page, click on any of the following headers:

• Registered Agent – Name and address of the company’s agent (see image).
• Filing History – All entity documents filed with the Secretary of State (see image).
• Names – A list of all active and inactive names the entity has used (see image).
• Management – Name, title, and address of the company’s managers (see image).
• Assumed Names – A list of the company’s assumed names (DBA) (see image).
• Associated Entities – Companies structurally linked to the entity (see image).
• Initial Address – The first location where the company was formed (see image).