How To Search Illinois Business Entities
- How To Search Illinois Business Entities
- How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Illinois?
- Why Conduct a Illinois Entity Search?
- Who Holds Data for Illinois Business Entity Search?
- What Entities Can You Register in Illinois?
- How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Illinois?
- How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Illinois?
- How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Illinois?
- Additional Information Available on the Illinois Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website
- FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Illinois
Each year, the Illinois Secretary of State registers about 1 million new business entities, including corporations, non-profit organizations, and LLCs. The Secretary of State’s office provides the most accurate and updated information about businesses registered in the state.
Whether you are confirming a business’s legitimacy, researching a potential business partner, or simply conducting your due diligence, uncovering the details of Illinois business entities is straightforward.
Choose Your Search Criteria
The portal allows you to search by:
Business NameThe full or partial name of the business.
Registered AgentName of the entity’s registered agent.
PresidentName of the business entity’s president.
SecretaryName of the secretary listed on the business registration.
ManagerSearch by listed business manager(s).
File NumberThe business’s unique file number assigned by the Secretary of State.
KeywordSearch using keywords related to the business.
Partial WordSearch using fragments of the business name.
Review Search Results
Enter your search criteria and click the “submit” button for a list of matching entities. In addition to the entity name, the search results will display the entity’s filing number, entity type, entity status, registered effective date, and the registered agent. Clicking on a specific name generally provides more detailed information about the business entity.
Further Assistance
Contact the Illinois Secretary of State's office if you need assistance navigating the Illinois business entity search process.
How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Illinois?
A quick Internet search may lead to a business’s online presence, which typically publishes information about public-facing directors and executives. This information, however, isn’t always enough to give you a full picture of company ownership. Government records, like the ones available through the Illinois Secretary of State’s office and other public databases, are usually your best bet for accessing comprehensive details regarding the ownership of a business entity in Illinois.
You may begin by visiting the Illinois Secretary of State's business entity search page. This page offers detailed information about Illinois's registered business entities, including the names of owners and company officers. Follow the outlined steps to access the information you seek.
For additional information, you may use these other resources to identify local business owners:
Additional Resources for Business Ownership Info
Chambers of CommerceLocal chambers of commerce typically publish member directories, often including ownership details.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)The BBB occasionally publishes business profiles, company ownership information, customer reviews, and complaints. Two BBB entities serve Illinois: the BBB of Central Illinois and the BBB of Chicago & Northern Illinois.
Other Public RecordsBusiness licenses, real estate transactions, and court documents involving the business entity may reveal ownership information.
Why Conduct an Illinois Entity Search?
Investors often conduct entity searches to learn more about a business’s ownership, which could impact important investment choices.
Individuals and businesses rely on entity searches in Illinois to verify that a company is transparent and trustworthy before engaging in a professional relationship.
Using an entity search to verify registration details and ownership history may help detect potential scams or fraudulent businesses.
Illinois entity searches may help a business confirm the legitimacy of a supplier or partner during a procurement process or while reviewing a contractual agreement.
Who Holds Data for Illinois Business Entity Search?
What Entities Can You Register in Illinois?
Several types of business entities may be registered in Illinois.
You may register two types of corporate entities in Illinois:
LLCs protect business owners' liability while allowing profits and losses to be reported on personal tax returns.
LPs have general partners who manage the business and non-managing limited partners with liability protection. LLPs offer liability protection to all partners, regardless of management role.
Sole proprietorships are businesses owned by one individual. A company that operates under a name other than the owner's legal name may be required to register as a DBA (Doing Business As).
Nonprofits are organizations created for charitable, religious, educational, or other purposes. They often qualify for tax-exempt status under federal and state law.
PCs are corporations established by licensed professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, or accountants, to provide professional services.
Sole proprietors and partnerships commonly use a DBA, allowing the business to operate under a name other than its legal or owner’s name.
How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Illinois?
When choosing a business name in Illinois, there are many reasons to check if the business entity name has already been taken. For example, you’ll need to adhere to any state laws regarding the name you choose. You’ll also want to avoid using a business name currently in use, not only for practical reasons but also to avoid violating copyright and trademark laws. While no single comprehensive list of business name registrations in Illinois exists, there are multiple databases you may search to determine if your desired business name is available. These databases include:
How Do I Set up a Business Entity in Illinois?
To set up a business entity or a corporation in Illinois, you must register with the Illinois Secretary of State. The Illinois Secretary of State recognizes the following types of business entities, each with its own unique filing requirements.
- Corporations: To organize a corporation in Illinois, you must submit articles of incorporation using form BCA 2.10.
- Not for Profits: To organize a not-for-profit corporation in Illinois, complete and submit form NFP 102.10.
- LLC, LPs, & LLPS: To organize an LLC, LP, or LLP in Illinois, you must submit articles of incorporation using form LLC-5.5.
- Foreign entities: To transact business in Illinois, a foreign LLC must submit form LLC-45.5, a foreign not-for-profit organization must submit form NFP 113.15, and any other foreign corporation must submit form BCA 13.15.
- Sole Proprietorships: In Illinois, sole proprietorships are filed only at the county level. Check with your County Recorder's office to determine filing requirements.
You’ll need to follow these general steps:
- Ensure that your business name is unique and not already in use.
- File the appropriate forms with the Illinois Secretary of State or, in the case of a sole proprietorship, with your County Recorder.
- Report your company’s beneficial ownership information (BOI).
- Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.
- Register with MyTaxIllinois.
Click here for more detailed instructions.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Illinois?
To start a business in Illinois, you must file the appropriate paperwork with the Secretary of State and pay the associated filing fees. The initial registration fee is typically $150, except for not-for-profit corporations, which cost $50 to register.
In addition, all corporations are generally required to file an annual report with the Secretary of State. Annual reports are due by the last day of the month before the business’s anniversary month. The annual report filing fee is $75, plus a variable franchise tax and a $1.69 transaction fee.
Additional Information Available on the Illinois Secretary of State’s Website
FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Illinois
Here are some frequently asked questions about business entity searches in Illinois.
- Why would I need to search for a business entity in Illinois?
You may need to verify a company's legal status, check if it’s in good standing, or confirm ownership for legal, financial, or partnership purposes.
- What types of entities can I search for in Illinois?
You can search for corporations, LLCs, LPs, non-profits, professional corporations, and DBA names.
- Where can I perform a business entity search in Illinois?
You can perform a business entity search in Illinois using the Secretary of State’s online business entity search tool or contacting the Secretary of State’s office directly.
- What information do I need to conduct an entity search in Illinois?
To conduct an entity search in Illinois, you’ll need either the full or partial name of the business entity or the name of an individual associated with the entity, such as a registered agent, president, secretary, or manager. You can also search by file number.
- How do I find the official name of an Illinois business?
You may find the official name of an Illinois business using the Secretary of State’s online business entity search tool. You may search by entity, file number, or individual.
- Can I search for foreign entities in Illinois?
Yes. You may search for foreign entities, which are companies formed in another state but authorized to conduct business in Illinois.
- What information can I find in the Illinois entity search?
You may typically find details such as the entity’s status (active, dissolved, not in good standing, etc.), its registered agent, filing history, ownership structure, annual reports, and more.
- How do I verify if an Illinois business is in good standing?
The Secretary of State’s online business entity search tool will tell you if the business is in good standing.
- Can I search for an entity in Illinois by its owner’s name?
The Secretary of State’s online business entity search tool generally allows searches by an owner’s name.
- How often is the Illinois business entity database updated?
The Illinois business entity database is updated continuously as new filings are received and processed.
- Can I obtain copies of business filings in Illinois?
You may request and download copies of business filings, such as certificates of good standing or annual reports, through the Illinois Secretary of State website. There may be fees associated with these requests.
- How do I find out who the registered agent of an Illinois business is?
The registered agent's name and address are typically included in the business’s public filings, which may be accessed through the Secretary of State’s online business entity search tool.
- How can I search for Illinois businesses by their tax ID number?
The Illinois Secretary of State’s online business entity search tool does not allow you to search for businesses using their tax ID numbers.
- What should I do if I can’t find a business entity in the Illinois search?
Verify the spelling of the business name or search by the entity’s file number. You may also need to check foreign entity filings to see if the business is registered in a different state or name.
- How To Search Illinois Business Entities
- How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Illinois?
- Why Conduct a Illinois Entity Search?
- Who Holds Data for Illinois Business Entity Search?
- What Entities Can You Register in Illinois?
- How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Illinois?
- How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Illinois?
- How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Illinois?
- Additional Information Available on the Illinois Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website
- FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Illinois