Business Entity Searches: Popular States

A business entity search finds information about registered businesses within a specific state. It can provide a business's official name, legal status, owners, formation date, etc. This guide walks through popular states to form a business in, including California, Washington State, Minnesota, and Illinois.

Also see our guides on eastern states and general business entity searches.

California

California’s Business Search provides information on state corporations, LLCs, and LPs.

Step 1

Start at the Business Search portal and search by name or filing number.

Step 2

After inputting data point(s), search. Scroll down to review the search results. Jamba Juice returns three results, as shown below.

Step 3

Click on the business name for more information. A pop-up will appear on the right-hand side of the screen with formation, contact, registered agent information, and more. You can request a Certificate of Status (aka Good Standing) directly from the details (at the top of the pop-up), as well as View History and Request Access for the business owner specifically (at the bottom of the pop-up).

Washington

Washington State utilizes the same portal for registering businesses, filing annual reports, and entity searches.

Step 1

Start in the Washington Corporations and Charities Filing System. Scroll down to the corporation search.

Step 2

Input the business name or UPI and search. Review results. Jamba Juice returns three results, as seen below.

Step 3

Click on the business name for more information. Review business information, registered agent information, governors (officers of the company). Explore further in filing or name history, with the option to also print.

Minnesota

Step 1

Start at the Business Filings portal. Search by business name or filing number.

Step 2

Input data point(s) and search. Scroll down to review the results. Jamba Juice fetches two results in Minnesota, as shown below. You can print the results list as well.

Step 3

Click on “details” for more information. Minnesota provides a fair amount of basic details on a business, as well as filing history and renewal history. Filing history documents are available to order (for a fee).

Illinois

Step 1

Start at the Business Entity Search. Search by business name, registered agent, president, secretary, manager, filing number, keyword, or partial word.

Step 2

Input data point(s) and search. Scroll down to review the results and filter the list further if desired. Jamba Juice returns two results, as shown below.

Step 3

Click on the business name for more details. Illinois provides much context with essential business information, managers, business names, and filing history. Users can also purchase certificates for a fee.