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How To Search Florida Business Entities

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How To Search Florida Business Entities
How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Florida?
Why Conduct a Florida Entity Search?
Who Holds Data for Florida Business Entity Search?
What Entities Can You Register in Florida?
How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Florida?
How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Florida?
How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Florida?
Additional Information Available on the Florida Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website
FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Florida

In recent years, Florida has seen an average of 430,000 to 700,000 new business entity filings annually. In most years, domestic limited liability companies make up the largest percentage of these filings. Accurate information about the state’s business entities is largely available on the Division of Corporations’ website. This division operates under the Florida Department of State (DOS).

Conducting a business entity search in Florida is especially advised if looking to enter into a partnership or transact with a business continuously. A business entity search generally helps to verify if an entity is properly registered, in good standing, or if it is legitimate.

Choose Your Search Criteria

There are multiple search criteria from which you may choose to search for a business entity in Florida. These criteria are listed below:

Entity Name
Enter the business entity’s name in the search field. You may either use the partial or full name.
Officer/Registered Agent Name
Enter the registered agent’s full or partial name. If the agent is an individual, enter the name as last name, first name, and middle initial.
Trademark Name
Enter the trademark name in the search field.
Trademark Owner Name
Enter the name of the trademark owner, if known. Use last name, first name, and middle initial for individuals, or partial names.
FEI/EIN
Enter the entity’s Federal Employer Identification Number (FEI), otherwise known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), if known.
Document Number
If known, you may enter the document number as a search criterion.
Zip Code
Enter the zip code of the location in which the entity operates.
Street Address
If known, enter the street address where the business entity is located.

The Florida Division of Corporations also offers the following options for anyone interested in conducting an entity search in the state:

Review Search Results

Regardless of the search criterion used in looking up a Florida business entity through the Search Records resource, the search will typically return a list of related/matching entities once you click the “Search” button. The list generally displays the corporate name, document number, and status of each entity listed.

Access Detailed Information

Once you select the sought business entity from the list of entities returned by the search, you will get an expanded view with detailed information that generally includes the following:

Entity Name – The name of the business entity
Entity Structure Type – The type of legal structure the business has
Filing Information – This generally includes:
• Document Number – A unique alphanumeric number assigned during registration
• Date Filed – The date the entity filed to incorporate
• Status – The current status of the entity (active or inactive)
• FEI/EIN Number – The entity’s Federal Employer Identification Number
Principal Address – The entity’s main contact address
Mailing Address – The entity’s mailing address
Registered Agent Name and Address – The name and contact address of the registered agent
Authorized Person(s) Detail – The name and contact information of the entity’s representative
Annual Reports and Document Images – Details of annual reports filed and links to related filing documents

Further Assistance

You may contact the Florida Division of Corporations if you need help using the Search Records portal to find details about a business entity in the state. Alternatively, the Corporation Records Search Guide and Fictitious Names Search Guide may help you in navigating the Search Records pages.

How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Florida

With a simple internet search, anyone may be able to find an entity’s online profile in Florida, including their website. Generally, the website may contain information about the entity’s managers, public executives, and some directors. In most cases, ownership information is hardly displayed on such websites. Hence, anyone who intends to find the owner of a Florida-registered business entity may have to search government-run databases for more comprehensive ownership information.

Besides the Florida Division of Corporations Search Records Page, the following options may prove helpful in finding the owners of business entities in Florida:

Better Business Bureau – The BBB occasionally publishes profiles of registered business entities, which oftentimes include details of their owners.
Local Government Registry – You may find ownership information by searching local government registries that list directories of businesses within their jurisdictions.
Business Licensing and Regulatory Agency – Contacting the licensing and regulatory agency associated with an entity may provide access to owner information.
Chamber of Commerce – Many local Chambers of Commerce maintain directories of businesses on their websites, which often include ownership details.

Why Conduct a Florida Entity Search?

Florida entity searches are conducted for several reasons, including the following:

For the purpose of due diligence when considering doing business with an entity.
To find out if an entity is credible, legitimate, and trustworthy.
To retrieve the ownership information, filing status, business structure, and contact information of a business entity.
To determine the financial standing of a business and to determine if it is in good standing.
For compliance with certain regulations when registering and starting a new business entity in Florida.

Consumer Trust + Due Diligence

You may need a business entity search in Florida to know whether an entity is trustworthy if you are considering transacting with it or entering into a partnership.

Investor Research

As an investor, you must conduct a search on a business entity to know its financial standing before making an investment decision.

Supplier Verification

It is often advised to conduct a business entity search on a supplier to verify its legitimacy and credibility before entering into any contractual agreement.

Fraud Prevention

With a Florida business entity search, you may gather information that will prevent you from getting scammed by a business.

Who Holds Data for Florida Business Entity Search?

The following bodies may hold important information about Florida-registered business entities:

Florida Department of States - the Division of Corporations
Florida Office of Financial Regulation
Florida Department of Financial Services
Florida Department of Revenue

What Entities Can You Register in Florida?

The following are business structures under which an entity may operate in Florida:

Corporation

This is an independent legal entity different from its owners. It exists separately from the individuals who manage, control or own it. The owners of a corporation in Florida generally have limited liability. A corporation may pay taxes, enter into contracts, and transact businesses on its own.

Partnership

A partnership is a business structure in which two or more individuals co-own a business and contribute to its growth. Generally, such persons share in the losses and profits of the business. In Florida, a partnership may either be a general partnership or a limited partnership.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

While an LLC is similar to a corporation in that it is separate from its owners and offers owners limited personal liability, it is slightly different. The management structure of LLCs is usually flexible, and they typically enjoy pass-through tax treatment. This means the entity may not pay taxes on its income. Rather, taxes are paid on income allocated or shared to its owners.

Sole Proprietorship

This is the most common and simplest business structure in Florida. It is generally owned and operated by one person who may not be separate from the business. A sole proprietor who chooses not to operate under their legal name in the state is required to register a fictitious name with the Florida Division of Corporations.

How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Florida?

One of the most important steps to take when considering starting a business in Florida is to conduct an entity name search. This basically helps to determine the availability of the proposed name for the business and ensures that the name is distinguishable from other entities.

Someone who registers a name already taken by another business entity or something too similar may be creating unfair competition or committing trademark infringement. To avoid this, it is vital to do extensive research using the following resources to ensure that the name proposed for a new entity has not already been taken:

How Do I Set up a Business Entity in Florida?

Take the following steps if you intend to form a business entity in Florida:

Research how to start a business in the state
Conduct a Florida business entity name search to ensure the proposed business name is available for use and is distinguishable from other business names
Identify the type of business structure to run (LLC, partnership, sole proprietorship, or corporation)
Form the business by filing the appropriate documents with the state’s Division of Corporations, as listed below:

To form a Limited Liability Company: file Articles of Organization online or mail a completed Articles of Organization Form to:
New Filing Section
Division of Corporations
P.O. Box 6327
Tallahassee, FL 32314

To form a Profit or Non-Profit Corporation: file Profit Articles of Incorporation or Non-Profit Articles of Incorporation online. Alternatively, you may mail a completed Profit Articles or Non-Profit Articles of Incorporation Form.

To form a partnership: file the appropriate partnership request online or by mail.
Report beneficial ownership information to FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network). This is a federal requirement since January 1, 2024
Register the business name (DBA name) through the E-Filing Portal

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Florida?

While several costs go into starting a business in Florida, the list below shows the fees required for filing for each business structure type in the state:

Corporation (Profit and Non-profit)
Filing fee - $35
Certified copy (optional) - $8.75 (including $1 per page for each page over 8, subject to a maximum of $52.50)
Designation of registered agent - $35
Limited Liability Company
Articles of Organization and designation of agent filing fees - $125
Certified copy (optional) - $30
General Partnership
Filing fee - $50
Certified copy (optional) - $52.50
Limited and Foreign Limited Partnership
Filing fees - $1,000, which includes a $965 filing fee and a $35 registered agent fee
Certified copy - $52.50

Additional Information Available on the Florida Department of State’s Website

The information available on the Florida Division of Corporations’ website includes the following:

Search Records - Various services that allow members of the public to find information about registered business entities in the state.
Start a Business - Types of business entities/structures, general information and available resources for anyone starting a business, and E-filing services.
Manage/Exchange Existing Business - Certification, dissolving or withdrawing a business, information update, and managing/changing with E-filing.
Forms and Fees - Various forms and applicable fees for registering all types of business structures.
Authentications, Notaries, and Other Services - Data downloads, reporting beneficial ownership information, service of process online, UCC information, and prepaid Sunbiz E-file account
Help and Quick links - Links to the most commonly requested information and services

FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Florida

Commonly asked questions about business entity searches and their answers in Florida are listed below:

Why would I need to search for a business entity in Florida?
A Florida entity search is often advised if you intend to invest in a business or enter into a partnership. It generally reveals an entity’s status, legal structure, and if the business is in good standing.
What types of entities can I search for in Florida?
With the Florida Division of Corporations’ Search Records portal, you may search for LLCs, corporations, and partnerships registered in the state.
Where can I perform a business entity search in Florida?
You may conduct a business entity search in Florida online using the Division of Corporations’ Search Records resource.
What information do I need to conduct an entity search in Florida?
The Florida Division of Corporations’ Search Records page permits users to perform entity searches using different criteria. These include entity name, document number, trademark name, trademark owner name, registered agent name, street address, and FEI/EIN number. A fictitious name may also be used as a search parameter.
How do I find the official name of a Florida business?
A typical Florida entity search on the Division of Corporations’ Records Search page using certain search parameters like the document number will reveal the official name of the entity in the search result.
Can I search for foreign entities in Florida?
Yes. The Florida Division of Corporations' Search Records page may be used to search foreign limited partnership businesses registered in the state.
What information can I find in the Florida entity search?
With a Florida business entity search on the Division of Corporations’ Search Records page, you will generally retrieve information such as the entity name, document number, date filed, and FEI/EIN number. Others include status, mailing address, ownership details, entity structure, registered agent’s details, principal address, and annual reports.
How do I verify if a Florida business is in good standing?
To verify if a business is in good standing in Florida, you may contact the state’s Division of Corporations. Owners of business entities may generally obtain a certificate of status by submitting their requests to the Division online or by mail.
Can I search for an entity in Florida by its owner’s name?
Yes. You may search for a business entity in Florida by its owner's name using the Division of Corporations’ Fictitious Name Search tool.
How often is the Florida business entity database updated?
The business entity database managed by the Florida Division of Corporations is updated daily. Updates generally include changes to existing business entities and new business filings.
Can I obtain copies of business filings in Florida?
Yes, you may obtain copies of business entity filings in Florida by mailing requests and the appropriate fees to the Certification Section of the state’s Division of Corporations at:
Department of State
Division of Corporations
Certification Section
P.O. Box 6327
Tallahassee, FL 32314
How do I find out who the registered agent of a Florida business is?
You will generally find information on the registered agent of any business entity in Florida if you conduct an entity search using the Division of Corporations’ Records Search page.
How can I search for Florida businesses by their tax ID number?
While the Division of Corporations’ Search Records tool does not allow entity search by tax ID number, you may contact the division if there is a need to search a registered entity in the state by that criterion.
What should I do if I can’t find a business entity in the Florida search?
The first thing to do if an entity search on the Florida Division of Corporations’ Search Records page yields no desired result is to reconfirm that you entered the search parameter correctly. If you did but still cannot find information on the entity, you may contact the division.