California Business Entity Search

9,314,688 California entities indexed from the California SOS. Free public search.

Browse the California registry →

How to search California business entities

Every business that operates legally in California files a public record with the California Secretary of State. That record names the entity, identifies its registered agent for service of process, and tracks every formal filing through dissolution. Those records are open to anyone — that is the legal definition of a public registry.

Corporate.AI is a free, structured front door to California's public business filings. We mirror the state's data, normalize it against records from 49 other jurisdictions, and add the cross-state intelligence (shared officers, shared registered agents, NAICS sector classification, beneficial-ownership signals) that a single-state portal cannot provide. Use the search above to look up any California entity by name, by primary filing number, or by officer.

For absolute freshness — same-day filings, formal certificates of good standing, certified document copies — you should also have the California SOS portal bookmarked. We link directly to it from this page.

About the California SOS

The California Secretary of State is the office of record for every business entity formally registered in California. They maintain the public registry, accept new filings, and issue certificates of good standing. Corporate.AI mirrors and normalizes this data alongside records from 49 other jurisdictions.

Domestic LLC filing fee
~$70
Domestic Corp filing fee
~$100

California also charges an $800/year minimum franchise tax on most LLCs and corporations, separate from filing fees.

California business entity search FAQ

How do I search California business entities?▶

Use the search box above to query Corporate.AI for any California-registered LLC, corporation, nonprofit, or partnership. You can also search directly at the California SOS's public registry portal. Corporate.AI consolidates California entity records with cross-state filings (foreign registrations, officer overlap, registered-agent networks) so a single search returns more context than the state portal alone.

Is California business entity search free?▶

Yes. Public California business filings are open records. Corporate.AI never charges to look up an entity, its registered agent, officers, or filing history. The California SOS also offers free public search; premium services (certified copies, certificates of good standing) typically cost $70 or more depending on document type.

What information is included in a California entity search?▶

Each California entity record on Corporate.AI includes the registered legal name, entity type (LLC, Corporation, LP, Nonprofit), formation date, current status, primary filing number assigned by the California SOS, registered agent (when published), officer roster (when published), and full filing history. We also surface entities that share officers, registered agents, or NAICS sector classifications across all 50 states.

How do I get a California certificate of good standing?▶

A certificate of good standing (sometimes called a certificate of existence or status certificate) must be issued by the California SOS directly — Corporate.AI does not issue official certificates. You can typically request one online from the California SOS for $18–$50 with same-day or 24-hour turnaround. The certificate confirms the entity is in good standing as of the issuance date.

How do I look up a registered agent in California?▶

Every California business entity is required to designate a registered agent — a person or company authorized to receive service of process at a California street address. Corporate.AI's registered-agent index lets you reverse-search: given an agent name, see every California entity that has designated them. This pattern is useful for due diligence, beneficial-ownership analysis, and competitive research. The California SOS's portal supports forward lookup (entity → agent) but typically not reverse lookup.

What's the difference between an LLC and a corporation in California?▶

A California LLC (limited liability company) is the most common entity type for small businesses — it offers liability protection with pass-through taxation and minimal corporate formalities. A California corporation (typically a C-corp or S-corp) is owned by shareholders, governed by a board, and is the standard vehicle for raising outside investment. Formation fees are similar — $70 for an LLC vs $100 for a corporation in California as of 2026 — but the tax, governance, and capital-raising profiles differ significantly.

How recent is the California business data on Corporate.AI?▶

California entity records on Corporate.AI are refreshed from the California SOS's public feed on the cadence the state publishes — daily, weekly, or monthly depending on jurisdiction. Each entity page displays a "last refreshed" timestamp so you can verify how recent the underlying record is. For absolute freshness, cross-check against the California SOS's live portal (linked above) before relying on a record for legal or contractual purposes.

Can I download California business entity data?▶

Yes. Corporate.AI's REST API and MCP server expose California entity records in machine-readable form for licensed use cases — KYC/AML programs, sales prospecting, journalism, academic research. Bulk downloads of the California SOS's underlying data are typically available directly from the state, sometimes free and sometimes for a fee. See our /api page for licensing terms.