Alabama (AL) Secretary of State (SOS) LLC & Business Search

You can carry out a business search on the Alabama Secretary of State’s website which enables you to find the business and see key information about the business including its history and legal status. Alabama’s Business Entity Search allows you to search on a range of factors which include:

• Entity name
• Entity ID
• Officer, agent, or incorporator
• Reservation ID

Search by entity name

You can search for businesses based on their name only or you can add other details to help narrow down the search results if you know them, such as status and principal city.

When you click on the search button a list of matching business records will be shown with details including their entity ID, name, city, type, and status that is held with the Alabama Secretary of State.

If you want to get further information about the business you can click on the entity ID which is highlighted in blue text to see the full record details. This will include:

• Entity ID
• Entity type
• Principal address
• Mailing address
• Status
• Place of formation
• Formation date
• Registered agent name and address
• Nature of business
• Capital authorized and paid in
• Incorporator’s details including names and addresses

Search by entity ID

If you know the business’ nine-digit entity number, you can enter this on Alabama Secretary of State Business Search using an XXX-XXX-XXX format.

When you click search it will go to the page with the details held for the business which includes the business name, addresses, status, formation date, nature of the business, incorporators and more as listed above under search by entity name.

Search by officer, agent or incorporator

Alabama’s Secretary of State Business Search can also be searched by an individual’s name which enables you to search for any person’s involvement in the company whether that is as the officer, agent or incorporator. This should be entered as ‘last name, first name’. You can reduce the search by selecting the county in which the business was formed.

The search results will be displayed with the entity ID, name, office/agent/incorporator name and position.

You can click on the entity ID which is highlighted in blue to view the full public record details held, this includes the business name, addresses, status, formation date, nature of the business, incorporators and more as listed above under search by entity name.

Search by reservation ID

If you know the business’ reservation number, you can also search Alabama’s Secretary of State Business Search for the business reservation number. You can find the business’ reservation ID on the bottom left hand corner of their company reservation certificate.

The search will take you straight into the business’ records where you can view the public details held for the business which can include the business name, addresses, status, formation date, nature of the business, incorporators and more as listed above under search by entity name.

Contact details

Website: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/government-records/business-entity-records

Phone: (334) 242-5324

Address: Business Services Division, RSA Plaza, Suite 580, 770 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 36104

Email: Elaine.Swearengin@sos.alabama.gov

How to register a business in Alabama

If you want to register a business in Alabama you should follow these steps:

1. Choose a business name and check the availability of this name before going ahead to registering this
2. Select the right business entity for your business structure. E.g. LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, etc.
3. Create articles of organization or incorporation that form the business, or you can register the business online through the Alabama Secretary of State website with filing costs from $208.
4. Name a registered agent to receive and file your documents, this could be yourself, another person from the business, or a professional registered agent

How much does an Alabama business entity search cost?

A business entity search in Alabama is free to conduct.

How can I get a business license in Alabama?

Once you have set up your business in Alabama you will need to apply for an Alabama business license before you start operating which is called a business privilege license. This license is issued by the county where your business is located. Most counties require a license and you will need to check with your city office what licenses are required before starting business. More details can be found on the Alabama Department of Revenue website.