Florida Business Entity Search – The Complete Guide for Business Owners and Researchers

The Florida Business Entity Search is a powerful tool that allows individuals, entrepreneurs, and researchers to verify company details, check the status of registered entities, and access valuable public records. Conducted through the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) website, this search provides comprehensive data on corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other registered entities operating in the state.

In this detailed guide, we explain how to perform a Florida Business Entity Search, the types of information you can retrieve, and why it’s essential for due diligence, compliance, and informed decision-making.

Understanding the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)

The Florida Division of Corporations, commonly known as Sunbiz, is the official corporate registry of the state. It maintains and provides public access to records of businesses registered in Florida, including:

• Corporations (Domestic and Foreign)

• Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)

• Limited Partnerships (LPs)

• Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)

• Fictitious Names (DBAs)

• Nonprofit Organizations

Why Use the Florida Business Entity Search?

The Florida Business Entity Search serves multiple purposes, such as:

• Verifying business legitimacy before engaging in transactions

• Checking corporate status (active, inactive, dissolved)

• Reviewing registered agents and addresses for legal or compliance purposes

• Identifying corporate officers and directors

• Researching competitors or potential partners

• Finding historical filings and amendments

How to Perform a Florida Business Entity Search

1. Access the Sunbiz Website

Go to the official Florida Division of Corporations website: https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/

2. Choose Your Search Type

Sunbiz offers several search methods:

• By Entity Name – Enter the full or partial business name.

• By Officer/Registered Agent – Useful for locating all entities connected to a person or agent.

• By Document Number – Search using the official Florida document number.

• By FEI/EIN Number – Limited to authorized users with specific credentials.

3. Enter Search Criteria

Type your desired keyword or exact business name. The system allows partial matches if you are unsure of the complete name.

4. Review Search Results

The results will display:

• Entity Name

• Document Number

• Status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved)

• Entity Type (LLC, Corporation, etc.)

• Filing Date

Click on the entity name for a detailed profile.

5. Access Detailed Entity Information

The entity detail page includes:

• Registered Agent Name & Address

• Principal Office Address

• Mailing Address

• Officer/Director Information

• Filing History

• Annual Report Filings

• Document Images (PDF copies of official filings)

Advanced Search Tips for Florida Business Entity Lookup

• Use partial names to capture variations or abbreviations.

• Check alternative spellings if results are not found.

• Use the officer search to find entities owned by the same person.

• Always verify the status to ensure the entity is currently active.

• Review document images for complete legal filings.

Understanding Business Status in Florida

When you perform a Florida Business Entity Search, you will see one of several statuses:

• Active – The entity is compliant and in good standing.

• Inactive – The entity is no longer operating in Florida.

• Dissolved – Officially closed by the business or administratively dissolved by the state.

• Revoked – Typically applies to foreign entities that failed to comply.

Common Uses of Florida Business Entity Search

1. Business Due Diligence

Before entering contracts, check if a company is legally registered and active.

2. Trademark and Name Availability

Ensure your desired business name isn’t already in use.

3. Legal Compliance

Attorneys and compliance officers use Sunbiz to verify registered agents for serving legal documents.

4. Investment Research

Investors can examine the background of companies before committing funds.

Florida Business Entity Filing Documents

Through the entity search, you can view and download official documents, including:

• Articles of Incorporation

• Articles of Organization

• Annual Reports

• Amendments

• Merger Certificates

• Dissolution Filings

Fictitious Name (DBA) Search in Florida

If you are searching for a fictitious name or Doing Business As (DBA), Sunbiz provides a separate search tool. This allows you to see if a trade name is already registered, which is essential for branding and marketing.

Benefits of Conducting Regular Business Searches

• Fraud Prevention – Detect unregistered or suspicious entities.

• Accurate Records – Keep business partner information up to date.

• Compliance Monitoring – Ensure entities maintain good standing.

• Strategic Intelligence – Gain insights into competitors.

Key Information You Can Retrieve

Maintaining Good Standing in Florida

To remain in good standing, Florida businesses must:

• File annual reports before May 1 each year

• Maintain an active registered agent in the state

• Keep accurate information with the Division of Corporations

• Pay all applicable state fees

Failure to do so can result in administrative dissolution.

Final Thoughts

The Florida Business Entity Search is an indispensable resource for entrepreneurs, investors, attorneys, and consumers. It provides transparency, helps prevent fraud, and ensures legal compliance. Whether you are starting a business, entering a partnership, or simply researching a company, the Sunbiz search tool offers immediate access to authoritative business records.