Limited liability companies are the most popular business structure in California, and every registered LLC has a public record you can inspect. An LLC search shows you the company’s legal name, status, formation date, addresses, and agent for service of process. Use it to verify a business before you pay them, check whether a name is taken, or research companies in your market — all through the free official database.

How to Search for an LLC in California

Every California LLC is registered with the Secretary of State, and the records are public. Here is how to find one:

1. Open the official business entity search. The Secretary of State’s bizfile Online database covers all California LLCs.
2. Enter the LLC name or entity number. A name search works best with the distinctive part of the name – you can drop the “LLC” ending to widen results.
3. Filter for LLCs. Results may include corporations with similar names. Check the entity type column to confirm the record is a limited liability company.
4. Verify the match. Compare the entity number, formation date, and status before relying on a record.
5. Review the LLC record. You will see the status, formation date, addresses, and the agent for service of process.

What a California LLC Record Shows

Field	Details
Entity name	The legal LLC name on file
Entity number	The unique ID assigned at formation
Status	Active Suspended Canceled or dissolved
Formation date	When the LLC was formed or registered in California
Management structure	Whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed (from its Statement of Information)
Addresses	Principal office and mailing addresses
Agent for service of process	The registered agent that receives legal documents

California LLC Filing Basics

Understanding the filings behind the record helps you read it correctly:

• Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) – the document that creates the LLC. The formation date on the record comes from this filing.
• Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) – due every two years. It lists managers or members, addresses, and the agent. A missing SI often leads to suspension.
• Annual franchise tax – California charges LLCs an annual $800 franchise tax. Non-payment can suspend the LLC.

LLC Search vs. Corporation Search

LLCs and corporations share the same database but are different structures. If the business name ends in “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company”, you are in the right place. For businesses ending in “Inc.” or “Corp.”, use our California Corporation Search instead.

Related California Business Searches

Why Search a California LLC?

Limited liability companies are the most popular business structure in California, and every registered LLC has a public record you can inspect. An LLC search is useful in many everyday situations:

• Verify a business before paying. Confirm the LLC exists and is active before you send money or sign a contract.
• Check a name before you file. Make sure your planned LLC name is not already taken.
• Research competitors. See when competing LLCs formed and whether they remain active.
• Find the manager or agent. Learn who manages the LLC and who receives legal papers.
• Due diligence for investors and landlords. Confirm the entity you are dealing with is legitimate and in good standing.

Understanding LLC Status

The status field tells you whether an LLC can legally operate. Here is what each status means for a California LLC:

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

Member-Managed vs. Manager-Managed LLCs

When an LLC forms in California, it chooses one of two management structures. This shows up in the LLC’s record and its Statement of Information:

• Member-managed. All members (owners) take part in running the business. This is common for small LLCs where the owners are also the operators.
• Manager-managed. The members appoint one or more managers to run the business. The managers may or may not be members. This is common when some owners are passive investors.

Knowing the management structure helps you understand who has authority to act for the LLC. If you are signing a contract, you want to confirm the person signing actually has authority under the LLC’s structure.

What Is an LLC Statement of Information?

Every California LLC must file a Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) within 90 days of formation and every two years after that. This public filing lists:

• The names and addresses of the LLC’s managers or members.
• The agent for service of process.
• The business addresses on file.

Because the Statement of Information is public, you can use it to learn who runs an LLC. A missing or outdated Statement is the most common reason an LLC gets suspended — so if an LLC has not filed recently, treat that as a caution flag.

The California LLC Franchise Tax

Every California LLC must pay an annual $800 franchise tax to the Franchise Tax Board, regardless of whether it made money. LLCs with gross revenue over $250,000 also pay an additional LLC fee based on revenue. Failing to pay the franchise tax is one of the main reasons an LLC gets suspended.

When you search an LLC and see it is suspended, unpaid franchise tax is often the cause. This is worth knowing if you are evaluating whether to do business with that LLC.

LLC Search Tips

1. Search the distinctive part of the name. Drop “LLC” or “Limited Liability Company” to widen your results.
2. Use the entity number for an exact match. It removes all ambiguity when names are similar.
3. Check the formation date. A very new LLC may be 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.

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

LLCs and corporations live in the same database. The quickest way to tell them apart is the name and the entity type field:

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

If the business you are researching ends in “Inc.” or “Corp.,” head to our California Corporation Search guide instead.

How to Revive a Suspended LLC

If an LLC you are researching shows as suspended, it can usually be revived. The revival process depends on why the LLC 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 LLC missed its biennial LLC-12 filing, it must file the outstanding form and pay the $20 fee plus any penalties.
3. Pay back franchise taxes and penalties. If the suspension is tax-related, the LLC 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 LLC can request a certificate of revival from the Secretary of State to confirm it is back in good standing.

LLC Filing Calendar

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

Obligation	When	Fee
Initial Statement of Information (LLC-12)	Within 90 days of formation	$20
Statement of Information (LLC-12)	Every 2 years, by the anniversary month	$20
Franchise tax	Every year, due April 15	$800 minimum
LLC fee (if revenue > $250k)	Every year	$900–$11,790

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

Single-Member vs. Multi-Member LLCs

California allows both single-member and multi-member LLCs. The distinction matters for taxes and management:

• Single-member LLC. One owner. For federal tax purposes, it is usually treated as a disregarded entity, meaning income and losses flow directly to the owner’s personal tax return.
• Multi-member LLC. Two or more owners. For federal tax purposes, it is usually treated as a partnership, with income and losses allocated among the members.

Both types provide the same liability protection. The main difference is in how they are taxed and how management is structured. The Statement of Information will show whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed, which gives you a clue about its structure.

California LLC Fees and Costs

Understanding the full cost picture helps you evaluate an LLC you are researching and plan if you are forming one. Here are the main costs associated with California LLCs:

Item	Amount	Frequency
Articles of Organization filing	$70	One time
Initial Statement of Information	$20	Within 90 days of formation
Biennial Statement of Information	$20	Every 2 years
Franchise tax	$800 minimum	Every year
LLC fee (revenue over $250k)	$900–$11,790	Every year, based on revenue
Name reservation	$10	Optional, 60 days
Certificate of status	$5	As needed

The $800 annual franchise tax applies to every California LLC regardless of revenue or activity level. LLCs with gross revenue over $250,000 pay an additional fee on a sliding scale. Failing to pay these amounts is a leading cause of LLC suspension.

The LLC Operating Agreement

Every California LLC should have an operating agreement, even though it is not filed with the state. This internal document governs how the LLC operates:

• Ownership percentages. How much of the LLC each member owns.
• Profit and loss allocation. How income and expenses are divided among members.
• Management structure. Whether the LLC is member-managed or manager-managed, and what authority managers have.
• Voting rights. How decisions are made and what requires member approval.
• Buy-sell provisions. What happens if a member wants to leave, dies, or becomes disabled.

While the operating agreement is not part of the public record, it is legally required to be kept on file by the LLC. If you are doing due diligence on an LLC, asking for its operating agreement is a reasonable step to understand how the business is governed.

LLC Records and Public Access

California has strong public access rules for business records. Here is what you should know about accessing LLC 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.
• Operating agreements are not public. Unlike filed documents, the operating agreement is an internal document and is not part of the public record.

This public access is what makes business research and due diligence possible. The Statement of Information is the most useful public document for learning who runs an LLC, since it lists the managers or members.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the California LLC search free?

Yes. Searching and viewing LLC records on bizfile Online is completely free. You only pay for certified copies or official certificates.

Can I find out who owns a California LLC?

California does not require member names in the public Articles of Organization, but the Statement of Information lists managers or managing members, which you can view on the LLC’s record.

What if the LLC I’m looking for doesn’t appear?

Try removing “LLC” from the name, checking spelling variations, or searching by entity number. The business may also operate under a DBA – see our California DBA Search guide.

How do I check if an LLC name is available?

Search the name in the official database first. If nothing identical appears, review our California Business Name Search guide for the full availability and naming rules.

Can I search for an LLC by member or manager name?

The free public search works by entity name or entity number, not by member or manager. However, once you find the LLC, its Statement of Information lists the managers or members. If you know a manager’s name but not the LLC’s name, you may need to search by likely LLC names or use other research methods.

How far back do LLC records go?

The Secretary of State maintains records for all currently registered LLCs and many dissolved ones. Very old records may be archived. For historical research on long-dissolved LLCs, 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.