Illinois (IL) Secretary of State (SOS) LLC & Business Search

The Illinois Secretary of State provides a business search facility through the Department of Business Services database which holds information on a wide range of business entity types. It is accessible to the public to search for individual businesses. You can search for businesses using a range of search methods:

• Business name
• Registered agent
• President
• Secretary
• Manager
• File number
• Keyword
• Partial

Search by business name

The Business Entity Search database can be searched by business name.

The results will appear in a list displaying the file number, entity type, entity name, entity status, registered effective date and registered agent.

The businesses can be viewed in greater detail by clicking on the entity name highlighted in blue. The business records include details of:

• Entity name
• Principal address
• File number
• Status
• Entity type
• Type of LLC
• Org date/admission date
• Jurisdiction
• Duration
• Annual report filing date
• Annual report year
• Agent information
• Agent change date
• Manager information
• Old LLC name
• Assumed name
• Series name
• File history

You can also purchase a master entity certificate of good standing from them.

Search by registered agent

Searches can be conducted by agent name on the Illinois database.

The search results are provided in a list which details the file number, entity type, entity name, entity status, registered effective date and registered agent.

Further details about the business can be viewed by clicking on the entity name highlighted in blue. The record provides information such as previous history, filing information, registered people, and more as listed above in search by business name.

Search by president or secretary

You can also search by key representatives in the business such as the president or secretary.

The search results will display only names that are in the president or secretary field depending on which you searched for. The results include the file number, entity type, entity name, entity status, registered effective date and president or secretary depending on the search.

You can view more details about any of the businesses by clicking on the highlighted entity name. This will display publicly available information such as dates, history, filing information, addresses and agent details as well as more as listed above in search by business name.

Search by manager

They also offer a search by manager functionality which is different from the other name-related searches as there are separate search fields for last and first names.

The search results show a list which includes file number, entity type, entity name, entity status, registered effective date and manager name.

You can review further details about the businesses in this list by clicking on the entity name which is in blue text and underlined. This displays their full record with publicly available information such as other key people in the business, agent details, address and filing information. A full list of the details available are listed above in search by business name.

Search by file number

If you know the file number for a business, you can search the Business Entity Search database by this.

As the file number is unique to the business, there should be only one record displayed in the results which can be viewed in more detail by clicking on the entity name. The business’ details will be displayed with a broad range of information that is publicly available including address, key representative details, agent details and filing history. There is a full list of what is included above in the search by business name.

Search by keyword or partial

You can also search the database by either keyword or partial name.

The results will list all businesses that contain the words used in the search. The list includes the file number, entity type, entity name, entity status, registered effective date and registered agent.

Further details about the businesses can be viewed by clicking the entity name and the record for the business will be displayed. The publicly available information includes address, business history, key representative details, agent details and filing history, plus more as detailed in search by business name.

Contact details

Website: https://www.ilsos.gov/

Phone: (217) 524-8008

Address: 501 S. Second St, Room 350, Springfield, IL 62756

Hours: Monday-Friday 8.00am-4.30pm

How to register a business in Illinois?

If you are starting a business in Illinois then you will need to go through a number of steps to get started and meet the state requirements:

1. Choose your business name and check that it is not already in use in the state by searching the Illinois Business Entity Search
2. Decide which business structure your business will operate as, such as a corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, general partnership or sole proprietorship.
3. Form your business by filing formation paperwork with the Illinois Secretary of State if you are a limited liability company, limited partnership or corporation. You will need to complete Articles of Organization if you are a limited liability company or Articles of Incorporation if you are a corporation. Fees for filing these documents vary from $150-500.
4. You will also need to register with the Illinois Department of Revenue regardless of your business type. You can register online through the MyTax Illinois or complete Form REG-1 which can be mailed.
5. You may also need to apply for business licenses and permits – see below.

How much does an Illinois business entity search cost?

Illinois Secretary of State does not charge for searches on their Business Entity Search database.

How can I get a business license in Illinois?

Illinois does not have a statewide general business license, but you will need a tax permit (see step 4 in registering your business above) and you will need a Certificate of Registration or a License to operate, this should be issued by the Department of Revenue when you apply for your tax permit.

Profession or industry licenses may be required which you can check on the Illinois.gov website. Local business licenses may also be required, and you will need to check with your municipality for which licenses and permits apply as each area differs. Fees for licenses and permits vary depending on the license type and location.