A California corporation search lets you confirm that a business is legally registered, check its current status, and review the details the company filed with the state. Whether you are verifying a vendor, researching a competitor, or doing due diligence before signing a contract, the corporation record is the first place to look. Every corporation on file — domestic, foreign, stock, or nonprofit — appears in the same free public database maintained by the California Secretary of State.

How to Search for a California Corporation

All California corporations – domestic and foreign – are registered with the California Secretary of State, and their records are public. Follow these steps:

1. Open the official business entity search. Go to bizfile Online, the Secretary of State’s free search tool.
2. Choose a search method. Search by entity name for most lookups, or by entity number if you have it from a prior filing, contract, or invoice.
3. Enter the corporation name. Use the distinctive part of the name. You can leave off designators like “Inc.”, “Corp.”, or “Corporation” to widen the results.
4. Compare the results. Check the entity number, registration date, and status to confirm you have the right corporation – similar names are common.
5. Open the record. The corporation record shows its status, formation or qualification date, addresses, and agent for service of process.

What a Corporation Record Shows

Field	Details
Entity name	The legal corporate name on file
Entity number	The unique ID assigned at registration
Entity type	Stock corporation, nonprofit, or foreign corporation
Status	Active Suspended Forfeited or dissolved
Registration date	When the corporation was formed or qualified in California
Addresses	Executive office and mailing addresses
Agent for service of process	The person or registered agent company that receives legal papers

Types of Corporations You Can Find

• Domestic stock corporations – for-profit companies incorporated in California.
• Foreign stock corporations – companies incorporated in another state but qualified to do business in California.
• Nonprofit corporations – charitable, religious, educational, and mutual benefit corporations.
• Close corporations – small corporations that elected close corporation status.

Corporation Search vs. LLC Search

Both corporations and LLCs live in the same Secretary of State database, but they are different entity types. If the business ends in “Inc.” or “Corp.”, use this guide. If it ends in “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company”, head to our California LLC Search page instead.

Related California Business Searches

Why Search a California Corporation?

A corporation search is one of the most common due-diligence steps in California business. Because corporate records are public, anyone can confirm whether a company is legally registered, currently active, and properly maintained. Here are the situations where a corporation lookup matters most:

• Before signing a contract. Confirm the corporation exists and is in good standing so the agreement is enforceable.
• Before paying a deposit or invoice. Verify the business is real and active to reduce the risk of fraud.
• When researching a competitor. See when a competitor incorporated, its structure, and whether it remains active.
• For lending or leasing. Lenders and landlords check corporate status before extending credit or signing a lease.
• To serve legal documents. Find the agent for service of process to deliver a lawsuit or notice correctly.

Understanding Corporation Status

The status field is the single most important thing a corporation record tells you. It shows whether the company can legally operate. Here is what each status means:

Status	What it means
Active	The corporation is in good standing and can legally conduct business.
Suspended	The corporation lost good standing, usually for a missed Statement of Information or unpaid franchise tax. It cannot legally operate until revived.
Forfeited	Similar to suspended, often used for foreign corporations that lost their qualification to do business in California.
Dissolved	The corporation was formally wound up and no longer exists as a legal entity.
Merged	The corporation merged into another entity and no longer exists separately.

Domestic vs. Foreign Corporations

California’s database includes two broad categories of corporations, and both appear in the same search:

• Domestic corporations were incorporated in California. They file Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State.
• Foreign corporations were incorporated in another state but registered (qualified) to do business in California. They file a Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation.

Both types must keep a current Statement of Information and pay the annual $800 franchise tax. A foreign corporation that fails to do so can be forfeited, which means it loses the right to transact business in California.

What Is a Statement of Information?

Every California corporation must file a Statement of Information (Form SI-550) within 90 days of formation and every year after that. This filing is public and lists:

• The names and addresses of the corporation’s directors.
• The names and titles of its officers (such as CEO, CFO, and Secretary).
• The agent for service of process and the business addresses on file.

Because the Statement of Information is public, you can use it to learn who actually runs a corporation. If a corporation has not filed a recent Statement, that is often a red flag — and it is also the most common reason a corporation gets suspended.

Corporation Search Tips

1. Search the distinctive part of the name. Drop designators like “Inc.” or “Corp.” to widen your results.
2. Use the entity number for an exact match. If you have it from a contract or invoice, it removes all ambiguity.
3. Check the registration date. A very recent formation date may signal a brand-new or possibly throwaway entity.
4. Confirm the status before relying on the record. Status can change, so check close to when you need it.
5. Order a certificate of status if you need proof. For legal or financial matters, an official certificate carries more weight than a screen view.

Corporation vs. LLC: Which Record Are You Looking At?

Corporations and LLCs live in the same database, so it is easy to confuse them. The quickest way to tell them apart is the name and the entity type field:

Feature	Corporation	LLC
Typical name ending	Inc., Corp., Corporation	LLC, Limited Liability Company
Formation document	Articles of Incorporation	Articles of Organization
Periodic filing	Statement of Information every year	Statement of Information every 2 years
Ownership	Shareholders	Members
Managed by	Directors and officers	Members or managers

If the business you are researching ends in “LLC,” head to our California LLC Search guide instead.

How to Revive a Suspended Corporation

If a corporation you are researching shows as suspended, it can usually be revived. The revival process depends on why the corporation was suspended. Here is how it typically works:

1. Identify the reason for suspension. The most common causes are a missed Statement of Information or unpaid franchise tax. The Franchise Tax Board can tell you if taxes are owed.
2. File any missing Statements of Information. If the corporation missed its annual SI-550 filing, it must file the outstanding form and pay the $25 fee plus any penalties.
3. Pay back franchise taxes and penalties. If the suspension is tax-related, the corporation must pay all owed franchise tax, penalties, and interest to the Franchise Tax Board.
4. Request a revival certificate. Once all filings and payments are complete, the corporation can request a certificate of revival from the Secretary of State to confirm it is back in good standing.

Corporation Filing Calendar

California corporations have several recurring obligations. Missing any of them can lead to suspension. Here is the typical annual calendar:

Obligation	When	Fee
Statement of Information (SI-550)	Every year, by the anniversary month	$25
Franchise tax	Every year, due April 15	$800 minimum
Annual shareholder meeting	As set in bylaws	—
Board meetings and minutes	As needed	—

Corporations that stay on top of these obligations remain in good standing and avoid the complications of suspension. If you are researching a corporation, a recent Statement of Information filing is a good sign that the entity is being actively maintained.

California Corporation Fees and Costs

Understanding the full cost picture helps you evaluate a corporation you are researching and plan if you are forming one. Here are the main costs associated with California corporations:

Item	Amount	Frequency
Articles of Incorporation filing	$100	One time
Initial Statement of Information	$25	Within 90 days of formation
Annual Statement of Information	$25	Every year
Franchise tax	$800 minimum	Every year
Name reservation	$10	Optional, 60 days
Certificate of status	$5	As needed

The $800 annual franchise tax applies to every California corporation regardless of revenue or activity level. This is one of the most significant ongoing costs of maintaining a corporation in California, and failing to pay it is a leading cause of suspension.

Corporation Records and Public Access

California has strong public access rules for business records. Here is what you should know about accessing corporation records:

• Records are public by default. Documents filed with the Secretary of State are public record unless specifically exempted.
• No account needed to search. Anyone can search the business database for free without creating an account.
• Copies available for a fee. While searching is free, obtaining copies of filed documents carries a fee.
• Historical records may be archived. Very old records for long-dissolved corporations may be held at the California State Archives rather than the active database.

This public access is what makes business research and due diligence possible. It also means that information you file as a corporation becomes publicly viewable, which is worth considering when choosing what to include in your filings.

When to Consult a Professional

While searching business records is straightforward, some situations call for professional help:

• Complex ownership structures. If a corporation has multiple layers of ownership or foreign parent companies, interpreting the records may require legal expertise.
• Revival of a suspended entity. The revival process involves multiple agencies and can be complicated. An attorney or tax professional can help.
• Disputes over entity status. If there is a disagreement about whether an entity is in good standing, legal counsel may be needed.
• Cross-border transactions. If a foreign corporation is involved, international legal considerations may apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the California corporation search free?

Yes. Searching and viewing corporation records on bizfile Online is free. Certified copies and certificates of status carry a fee.

Can I search corporations by owner or officer?

The free public search works by entity name or number. Officer and director details appear in the corporation’s Statement of Information, which can be viewed on the entity record.

What is a corporation’s entity number?

It is the unique number the Secretary of State assigns when the corporation registers. Searching by entity number gives an exact match and avoids confusion with similar names.

Why can’t I find a corporation?

The name may be spelled differently on file, the company may operate under a DBA, or it may be registered as an LLC instead. Try a shorter name, or check our Business Name Search and DBA Search guides.

Can I search for a corporation by owner or officer name?

The free public search works by entity name or entity number, not by owner or officer. However, once you find the corporation, its Statement of Information lists the directors and officers. If you know an officer’s name but not the corporation’s name, you may need to search by likely corporation names or use other research methods.

How far back do corporation records go?

The Secretary of State maintains records for all currently registered entities and many dissolved ones. Very old records may be archived. For historical research on long-dissolved corporations, you may need to contact the Secretary of State’s office directly or visit the California State Archives.

CaliforniaCompanySearch.us is an independent website and is not affiliated with the California Secretary of State or any government agency.