Lookup Business Entity | Form Corporation | FAQ
If you use the entity search option, you’ll be able to see extensive information on each of the businesses that have been filed with the Colorado Secretary of State. You can look for a business using the Colorado Secretary of State’s business database in a variety of ways, such as by name, trade name, ID number, and so on. You may narrow down the search results using an advanced search by inputting as much detail as possible.
| Official Website: | https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/business/businessHome.html |
| Address: | 1700 Broadway Suite 200 Denver, CO 80290 |
| Telephone: | (303) 894-2200 Ext. 2 |
| Fax: | (303) 869-4864 |
| mailto:sos.business@sos.state.co.us |
Colorado Business Search Shortcut
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How To Lookup An Entity In Colorado
Colorado Secretary Of State Business Search By Name
- To enter your information, go to the Colorado Secretary of State’s Business Search page and fill in the first blank bar. You can conduct a search using the entity name.
- Fill in the blanks with the information you need, then hit the “Search” icon at the bottom of the web page.
- You will be presented with a full list of entities that share the same name as the one you looked for. Simply clicking on these entities will provide you with further information.
- You will then be able to see a summary of all publicly available information about your entity here, as well as accessibility to several features, such as obtaining a certificate of good standing.
Colorado Secretary of State Business Search By ID or Document Number
- Enter the ID number in the second provided space accessible on the webpage. There will be a smaller bar below where it asks for your business name.
- After you’ve input your information, go to the bottom of the page and hit the “Search” button to start your search. You will be provided with the search results.
- To get to the business information page, click on the ID number. This page will provide all publicly available business information. You may also use the links available beneath the business summary window to execute a variety of tasks.
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Colorado Secretary Of State Advanced Business Search
- Go to the Colorado Secretary of State’s Business Search website and scroll down to the Advanced Search link, which is about halfway down the page.
- To narrow down your search results and discover the entity in question as fast as possible, fill out the following page with as much detail as possible.
- Click “Search” when you’re ready.
- After that, you’ll be taken to a results page where you can learn more about the businesses that fit the terms of your search. You may get additional information about these results by clicking on them.
- On the final page, a summary of all publicly available information on record with the Colorado Secretary of State will be displayed. You’ll even be able to see the history of your filings and obtain a certificate of good standing.
Steps To Forming A New Corporation In Colorado
1. Pick a name for your company
Choose a name that is distinctive and unique, simple to comprehend and say, and correctly reflects your company. The name of your corporation must include the terms “Incorporated,” “Corporation,” “Company,” or “Limited,” or a short version of one of those phrases.
By checking the Colorado business name database, names may be examined for availability. By submitting an Application for Reservation of Name to the Colorado Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Commercial Services, you can reserve a name for six months.
2. Appoint a Registered Agent in Colorado
The state of Colorado requires every business to have an agent for legal process serving. If a company is sued, this person or business consents to take court documents on the company’s behalf. An entity with a certificate of power to conduct business in Colorado such as Northwest Registered Agent and GoDaddy, a Colorado resident, a Colorado company, or a foreign entity may serve as a registered agent.
3. Incorporate in Colorado by filing articles of incorporation
The articles must contain the following information: the corporation’s name; its intention; the number of shares it is permitted to issue; the name and address of the agent receiving service of process; the name and address of the resident agent receiving service of process; and the names and addresses of all incorporators.
4. Make your corporate bylaws
The fundamental guidelines for running your organization are outlined in the bylaws, which are internal corporate documents. They are not reported to the government. Corporate bylaws are not legally needed for your company, but you should nonetheless adopt them since they define how your company will operate and demonstrate to lenders, creditors, the IRS, and other parties that your company is genuine.
5. Select your board of directors
The first corporate directors are chosen by the incorporator and serve on the board up until the inaugural annual shareholder meeting.
6. Organize the Board of Directors’ First Meeting
At the first board meeting, the directors pick corporate officials, choose a corporate bank, establish the corporation’s fiscal year, approve the issuing of shares of stock, and adopt a formal stock certificate form and official seal.
7. Authorize the issue of stock shares
The number of shares issued should be stated in the company’s annual report. Most firms offer certificates to shareholders stating their shares, even though it is not usually necessary. Stock can be privately or publicly issued. Typically, founders, management, workers, or a small group of investors receive privately issued shares. A public corporation offers some of its equity shares for sale to the general public.
8. Obtain the necessary licenses and permissions for your Colorado business
Take time to investigate any necessary permissions or licenses to maintain your new firm on the legal straight and narrow. Depending on the type of company services you offer, the county or city where your firm is situated, and if you employ people, different permissions and licenses may be required.
9. Obtain an EIN for your company
Obtaining a federal employer identification number (EIN) is required for your business. For taxation reasons, this identification number serves as the corporation’s Social Security number. Among other things, it enables you to recruit staff and create a company bank account. The IRS website has an online application that you may use to get an EIN. You will require this number for future documents and to file your company’s tax filings, so keep a record of it.
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Frequently Asked Questions On Colorado Secretary Of State Business Search
What is the meaning of an entity ID number?
A unique 11-digit number used by the Secretary of State’s office to identify an entity’s record is known as an entity ID number. When a corporation submits a file that establishes a new record, this number is assigned. The number can be seen on the Summary page of your entity.
I’m aware of a company that does business in Colorado. Is there a reason I can’t find it in your records?
It is possible that the company has not filed with the Secretary of State.
Why should I appoint a third party as my registered agent?
It’s worth noting that the registered agent’s information is made public. For business owners who do not want their personal information on the internet for all to see, this can be a privacy concern. In the event of a claim, these documents will be delivered to the registered agent by hand.