Fl sec of state business entity search

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Florida is a haven for new businesses; the state is tax-friendly, with S-corporations exempt from income tax while C-corporations pay a 5.5% tax rate. If you are starting a business in the state, you’ll need to follow certain steps and guidelines to make sure your business name doesn’t infringe on the name of another entity. This is done by performing an entity search with the Florida Division of Corporations.

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What Is a Business Entity?

A Florida business entity is any business operating in Florida. You can choose which type of entity you would like your business to be: sole proprietorship, partnership, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company (LLC) or corporation. Each has its own pros and cons.

Starting a Business in Florida

When you start a business in Florida, other than a sole proprietorship or partnership, you must register with the Division of Corporations. You’ll need to file the correct paperwork online or via a mailed application. The state reviews applications to ensure that there is a registered agent, a unique name and that the appropriate fees are paid. Once approved, you receive notification that you are legally able to start conducting business in the name of the entity.

Forming an LLC in Florida

When forming a Florida LLC, you need to file articles of organization with the Division of Corporations. The company name must contain the words “limited liability company” or the abbreviation “LLC” or “L.L.C.” You complete the articles of organization, which requires you to name the company’s registered agent, list the physical and mailing address of the company and pay the registration fee. The fee is $125 for filing.

Paper applications can be mailed to:

New Filing Section
Division of Corporations
P.O. Box 6327
Tallahassee, FL 32314

Florida Business Entity Search by Name

The first thing that you want to do when starting your own business is to make sure that the name you have chosen doesn’t conflict with another name in use in the state. The easiest way to do this is to conduct a name search through the Division of Corporations website.

When you select a search by name, you are taken to a screen that prompts you to enter the name you want to use. You can use the whole name or part of it to see broader results. A list of similar names will appear. Remember that you want your name to be unique so it does not infringe on another company’s name.

For example, when entering the name “Dave’s Ice Cream,” the search results in a corporation named Dave’s Ice Cream Inc. That name is not available, so if that is what you were hoping to name your company, you would need to choose another name.

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Search by EIN

Another way you can search for a company is by using the Employer Identification Number (EIN). The EIN is an IRS-assigned identification number similar to a Social Security number. If you don’t know a company’s name but know its EIN, you can search by EIN to find the company’s legal name.

The EIN search is also done on the Division of Corporations page. Select Search by FEI/EIN to then enter the EIN, and the entity’s name will appear if it is registered in Florida. If a business doesn’t appear, it may have been registered in another state.

Search by Executive Name

Every company has an executive listed with the state as a point of contact for the company. You can search for the company name based on the executive’s name. This is also done through the Division of Corporations portal. You’ll simply select Officer/Registered Agent to conduct the search. You’ll need the officer’s last name, first name and middle initial to conduct the most comprehensive search, but partial names will yield results of similar ones.

Search by Street Address

If you happen to have the address for a business but aren’t sure what name it has registered, search by street address to see what its formal legal name is.

Bottom Line

One of the first things you’ll need to do when starting a Florida business is to make sure that the name you want to use is available. This is done by conducting a search with the Florida Division of Corporations. When there is a conflict between names, the entity that registered first has the right to use the name.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an entity number in Florida?

The document number is a six- or 12-digit number that is assigned to a Florida business entity registered with the Division of Corporations.

How do I find out if a company is legal?

You can find out if a company is legally registered with the state of Florida by conducting a name search on the Division of Corporations site. You can also search for a fictitious name, or DBA (doing business as), on the state’s DBA registry.

How much does it cost to do a name search in Florida?

There is no cost to search the corporation or DBA name database in Florida.

Do I need a business license to operate in Florida?

There are no statewide business operating licenses in Florida, but certain industries may require licenses or certifications to ensure the safety and privacy of consumers.

How do I look up a business in the state of Florida?

How do you look up an LLC in Florida?

How do you check if my LLC was approved in Florida?

How do I look up a sole proprietorship in Florida?