As a launching business, it’s only important that you create a name that not only represents your brand’s ideals but also something that’s unique.
The Illinois Secretary of State makes this task easier for you through their free business entity search. Businesses and members of the public can easily access and use the online page with a few available search options: entity or corporation name, file number, partnership by name, and partnership by file number.
Illinois Business Entity Search Page
In this guide, we will show the step-by-step process of how you can get specific information about a certain business entity or find out if your desired business name is available or not.
Take note that every piece of information and every conducted inquiry are free of charge. This tutorial will help you how to properly utilize all the functions available on the page.
Search for a Corporation/LLC Name
Step 1
Go to the Illinois Secretary of State business entity search page [1]. Once you’re on the page, you will be provided two options aside from the search bar. Choose “Corporate and LLC” as type of search and “By Name” as search method.
After choosing one of each option, you can then enter the specific name that you are looking for.
Step 2
On the next page, you will be provided a list containing all the possible results that matched the name you’ve searched.
On this page, limited information is initially shown such as entity type, file number, and company. Keep in mind that the list provided are businesses already handled by LLC services or incorporation services so if you can’t find what you are looking for, that business may not be registered yet in the specific area.
On the next page, you will be provided a list containing all the possible results that matched the name you’ve searched.
On this page, limited information is initially shown such as entity type, file number, and company. Keep in mind that the list provided are businesses already handled by LLC services or incorporation services so if you can’t find what you are looking for, that business may not be registered yet in the specific area.
Step 3
After choosing a particular business entity name, you will now be routed to more specific information about the corporation file detail report such as the registered agent name, address, status, and the annual report of the filing date. If you have clicked the wrong entity name, you can always click “Return to the Search Screen” located at the bottom part of the page.
Search for a Corporation or LLC by File Number
Step 1:
If you prefer to use a file number for your search, navigate on the same page and choose “Corporation” as your type of search and “File Number” as search method.
Do note that you need to be specific and well-informed about the type of entity you are looking for aside from the file number since you can’t choose the option “Corporate and LLC”.
Step 2
With this type of search, you will be immediately directed to a page with direct results. Using file numbers when searching for entities will give you exact results and with all the necessary information given by the Secretary of the State. This means you won’t have to take too much of your time scrolling for possible aspects.
Search for a Partnership by Name
Step 1:
Go to the Secretary of State page and choose to search LPs, LLPs, RLLPs, and LLLPs.
On this page, you will be given two options two choose from; the type of search and search method. For the search type, you will be given three options; first is LP/LLLP and LP/LLLP, second is LP/LLLP, lastly the option for LLP/RLLP. As for the search method, you will be given three options as well: by name, by keyword, and by partial name.
Choose your preferred methods, enter the keyword or name on the search bar, and click ‘Submit’.
Step 2
After that step, you will be routed to another page where a list of results will be provided. Now, find the specific name you would like to research further. After clicking the specific name with a blue underlined title, you will be directed to a page with detailed information of the file report.
Step 3
By the detailed information provided by the second step, you will now gain necessary data of the specific partnership such as agent information, file number, status, and more.
Search for a Partnership by File Number
Step 1
By using a file number, you will be immediately directed to a detailed file report of a business entity.
However, before entering the file number, you will first need to fill out all the necessary fields on the page. Choose from the types of search, or the type of business entity you’re looking for. Next, choose “By File Number”. Indicate the file number on Step 3 and finally, click ‘Submit’.
Step 2
By using a file number, you will be immediately directed to a detailed file report of a business entity.
However, before entering the file number, you will first need to fill out all the necessary fields on the page. Choose from the types of search, or the type of business entity you’re looking for. Next, choose “By File Number”. Indicate the file number on Step 3 and finally, click ‘Submit’.
