When launching or researching a business in Florida, a Florida business entity search is your first critical step. Whether you’re an entrepreneur registering a new LLC, a vendor verifying a business partner, or an investor assessing opportunities, knowing how to navigate the Florida Division of Corporations database is essential. In this in-depth guide, we will explore everything you need to know from entity types and registration details to compliance and verification.
What Is the Florida Business Entity Search?
The Florida business entity search is an online tool provided by the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (commonly known as Sunbiz). It allows the public to search for information about corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and other business structures registered in the state.
You can access the database here: Sunbiz.org
Why Conduct a Florida Business Entity Search?
There are several reasons individuals and companies perform entity searches:
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Verify legitimacy of a business
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Check availability of a business name
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Access official records such as Articles of Incorporation, Annual Reports, and more
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Ensure compliance with state regulations
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Investigate business history before engaging in contracts or investments
How to Perform a Florida Business Entity Search
1. Visit the Official Portal
Go to the Florida Division of Corporations’ Search Page
2. Choose Your Search Type
You can search by:
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Entity Name
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Officer or Registered Agent Name
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Document Number
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FEI/EIN Number
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Trademark Name
Each method is suitable for different needs. For example, if you only know a person’s name associated with the company, the “Officer/Agent” search is ideal.
3. Enter Search Details and Browse Results
Type the required keyword and review the search results. You will see a list that includes:
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Entity Name
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Document Number
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Status (Active, Inactive, Admin Dissolution, etc.)
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Filing Date
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Principal Address
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Registered Agent Information
Clicking on an entity name reveals its complete business profile, including all historical filings.
Understanding the Information Found in Search Results
The records in a Florida business entity search can offer rich details about a business’s legal and operational status:
Business Name and Type
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LLC (Limited Liability Company)
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Corporation (Inc.)
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Limited Partnership (LP)
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General Partnership (GP)
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Nonprofit Organization
Status
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Active: Business is in good standing
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Inactive: No longer legally operating
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Admin Dissolved: The state dissolved the business for non-compliance
Filing History
Access to:
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Articles of Incorporation or Organization
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Annual Reports
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Amendments
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Mergers and Dissolutions
Registered Agent
The person or business entity designated to receive legal documents on behalf of the company.
How to Check Business Name Availability in Florida
If you’re registering a new company, it’s essential to ensure your desired business name is unique and available.
Steps:
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Use the Entity Name Search
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Enter variations of your desired name
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Confirm that no active or inactive entities have identical or confusingly similar names
Pro Tip: Florida doesn’t allow two businesses to share the exact same name, even if one is inactive.
Filing a New Florida Business Entity
After confirming name availability, you can proceed to form your business on Sunbiz:
Steps to Form an LLC or Corporation in Florida:
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Name your business
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Appoint a registered agent
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File Articles of Incorporation (Corporations) or Articles of Organization (LLCs)
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Pay the filing fee
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LLC: $125
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Corporation: $70
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Obtain an EIN from the IRS
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File your Annual Report (due by May 1st each year)
Annual Reports and Compliance
All business entities in Florida must file an annual report to maintain active status. Failing to do so by May 1st each year results in a $400 late fee and eventual administrative dissolution.
You can file your Annual Report directly through the Sunbiz Annual Report Portal
How to Reinstate a Florida Business Entity
If your business has been administratively dissolved, you can reinstate it by filing a reinstatement application and paying all applicable fees.
Steps to Reinstate:
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Go to the Reinstatement Filing Page
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Enter your entity’s document number
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Complete the form and pay required fees
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Wait for processing and confirmation
Florida Business Name Reservation
Florida does not allow pre-reservation of business names. To secure your desired name, immediately register your entity after checking availability. Delays can result in someone else registering the name.
Sunbiz Certificate of Status (Good Standing Certificate)
A Certificate of Status proves that a business entity is authorized to operate in Florida and is compliant with its annual filings.
Use Cases:
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Opening a business bank account
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Securing a loan or lease
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Foreign qualification in other states
You can request it directly via the Sunbiz portal for a $5.00 fee.
Searching for Florida Trademarks
The Sunbiz site also offers a trademark search feature. You can:
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Search for trademarks registered in Florida
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View owner details and status
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Prevent potential name conflicts with active trademarks
This is especially useful if your business operates under a specific brand name or product label.
Searching by Officer or Registered Agent
If you only know the name of an individual affiliated with a company, use the “Officer/Agent” search tool to locate all business entities connected to that person.
This is often used for:
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Legal investigations
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Creditworthiness checks
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Background verification
Search by Document Number or EIN
If you have the official Florida Document Number or the FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number), you can use those to find specific business entities quickly and accurately.
This method eliminates confusion with similarly named businesses.
Benefits of Using Florida’s Sunbiz Portal
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Free public access
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User-friendly interface
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Real-time database updates
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Legally reliable information
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Centralized registration, compliance, and lookup
Final Thoughts: Florida Business Entity Search Is Your First Step to Business Success
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a business professional, or a cautious investor, the Florida business entity search gives you the transparency and verification you need to make informed decisions. Staying compliant, verifying legitimacy, and accessing official documentation are just a few clicks away on Sunbiz.org.
Stay proactive by checking your business status regularly, filing reports on time, and keeping all information up to date.
