LLC lookup — search any state, free
LLCs are state-level entities — there's no single national database. Pick the state below to jump straight to its official business-entity search.
External links go to official state government sites. URLs verified at publication; if a link breaks, search \"[state name] secretary of state business search\" for the current URL.
What an LLC lookup actually shows you
Every US state runs a free public business-entity search. Fields vary, but most show the LLC's legal name, its filing date, current status, and the registered agent.
You'll also see the principal office address and recent filings (annual reports, amendments, name changes). Texas and California list managers. Privacy states — Wyoming, New Mexico, Delaware — do not.
When you'll need to look up an LLC
- Name availability check before forming your own LLC — the new name must be distinguishable from every active entity in that state's database.
- Vendor / contractor due diligence — confirming the company you're about to pay actually exists and is in good standing.
- Service of process — finding the registered agent to serve legal papers.
- Pre-contract verification — making sure a counterparty's "Acme LLC" matches the entity name on their signed agreement.
- Reinstatement research — checking whether your own LLC is still active or has been administratively dissolved for missed annual reports.
How to read the results
- Active / In Good Standing. The LLC has paid state fees and filed its reports. It's a valid legal entity.
- Delinquent. A required filing is overdue. The LLC still exists, but the clock is ticking.
- Forfeited / Administratively Dissolved. The state has revoked the entity. Members may have lost liability protection until reinstatement.
- Voluntarily Dissolved / Cancelled / Terminated. The owners filed dissolution paperwork. The LLC no longer legally exists.
If you can't find the LLC
Search variations: drop "LLC", try common misspellings, try the trade name (DBA) instead of the legal name. If still nothing, the LLC may be registered in a different state — many businesses form in Wyoming, Delaware, or New Mexico and only operate from elsewhere. Try the lookup in those three states next.
Who can you actually identify from a lookup?
Less than people expect. Member identities are not on the public record in most states — by design. What you can typically see:
- Registered agent name and address — almost always public.
- Organizer / authorized person who signed the formation — usually public, but often a paid filer or attorney.
- Manager name on annual reports — public in some states (CA, FL, TX), redacted in others (WY, NM, DE).
- Principal office address — public, often a virtual address.
To actually identify members, you usually need litigation discovery, a subpoena to the registered agent, or a paid commercial database that aggregates name leaks across filings.
Common lookup mistakes
- Searching only the trade name
Many small businesses operate under a DBA. The legal LLC name on file may look nothing like the storefront. Try both.
- Ignoring 'forfeited' status
Doing business with an LLC the state has revoked means you may be dealing with an unauthorized entity. Members may have lost liability protection.
- Assuming members are public
Most states never list members. Hitting a blank in WY, NM, or DE isn't a hidden secret — it's the design.
- Using outdated search URLs
States rebuild these portals every few years. If a link breaks, search '[state] secretary of state business search' for the current URL.
After the lookup — what to do next
If you're verifying name availability for your own new LLC, you're ready to start. See our full how to start an LLC guide, the typical processing times by state, or the end-to-end formation process. Non-US founders should start with our LLC for non-US residents guide.