Lookup Business Entity | Form Corporation | FAQ
Using the Florida Divisions of Corporations website, you can search for a company entity in a variety of ways. The entity name, officer name, registered agent name, partner name, FEIN (Florida Employment Insurance Number), or Document Number are all valid options. This feature is available for free and might be useful for determining the availability of a name before filing for creation or simply checking the status of a firm.
| Official Website: | http://www.sunbiz.org |
| Address: | Department of state, Division of Corporations, Corporate Fillings, P.O.Box 6327,Tallahassee,FL |
| Phone: | 1(850) 245-6052 |
| E-Mail: | corhelp@dos.state.fl.us |
Florida Business Search Shortcut
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How to Lookup a Business Entity in Florida
Florida Secretary of State Business Search by Name
- Navigate to the website (http://www.sunbiz.orgwww.sunbiz.org) if searching a GP/LLP name or any other entity type. The entity’s name, or a piece of it, will then appear in a field below.
- There will be a list. By clicking on an entity’s name, you may learn more about it.
- You may check details like the EIN number, status, primary location, and yearly report information on the following page.
Florida Secretary of State Business Search by Officer/Registered Agent/Partner Name
- If you wish to check for a GP/LLP by agency or partner name, go to the official website. Alternatively, by visiting the website and supplying the relevant data, a query may be made through the use of an officer’s name or a registered agent’s name.
- You’ll be given a selection of entity names to pick from when you’ve typed the name correctly. For further details, click on the officer’s name, which will lead you to a page with the information on the firm accessible in the Division of Corporations database.
Florida Secretary of State Business Search by FEIN.
- To find an entity by applying its FEIN, following the number input, the partnership name, not the corporate name, will be displayed on the far right if you’re looking for a GP/LLP. By clicking on the FEI number/EIN, you may get more information about the business you’re interested in.
Florida Secretary of State Business Search by Document Number
- To do a comprehensive search using the document number, go to the link for corporations/LLCs/LPs/LLLPs or this one for GPs/LLPs.
- You should now be sent to the company’s particular information for the document number you just entered.
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Steps to Form your New Corporation in Florida
1. Choosing a Business Name
Your company’s name cannot be just like any in Florida, and it must be distinct from the names of related companies. To look for existing business names in Florida, go to the SunBiz website.
The name of your corporation must include the terms “Incorporated,” “Corporation,” “Company,” or “Limited,” or a short version of one of those phrases. The name of your corporation must be distinct from that of other corporate names that are currently on record with the Florida Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
2. Select a Registered Agent in Florida
The state of Florida 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 Florida such as Northwest Registered Agent and GoDaddy, a Florida resident, a Florida company, or a foreign entity may serve as a registered agent.
3. Obtain an employment identification number (EIN)
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.
4. Incorporate in Florida by filing the 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.
5. You may also require licenses or permission from the federal, state, county, or local governments, depending on the sort of business you’re launching
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.
6. Determine the amount of payroll tax you must pay
Note that corporate taxes must be paid separately from shareholder profits taxes. Federal and state governments require the proper returns to be filed annually in order to do this.
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Frequently Asked Questions On Florida Secretary Of State Business Search
How do I find out if my Florida business name is available?
You’ll need to double-check that the name you select for your company is accessible. On the Florida Department of State website, you can perform a name search. This will tell you if the name you’re considering is available and not currently in use by another company.
Is it possible for me to name my LLC whatever I want?
No, most states have restrictions on what an LLC can call itself; for example, it cannot include phrases that could be mistaken for a government organization, and other forbidden words may necessitate additional paperwork.
What steps do I need to take to register a foreign corporation in Florida?
To do business in Florida, all corporations formed outside of Florida must register with the Florida Secretary of State. For service of process, foreign corporations must choose a registered agent who is physically located in Florida. Fill out an Application by a Foreign Corporation for Authorization to Transact Business in Florida to get started. An original certificate of existence, no more than 90 days old, authenticated by the Secretary of State or similar official of the foreign corporation’s home state must be submitted with the application. The application must be sent through the mail.
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