You’ll need a working grasp of the Iowa business database whether you’re looking for information on an entity, trying to expand your domestic entity over state boundaries, or forming a new company or LLC in Iowa. Thanks to the Secretary of State’s simplified company search feature, navigating this database is a breeze.

Official website:https://sos.iowa.gov/search/business/search.aspx
Address:First Floor, Lucas Building, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319
Telephone:(515) 281-5204
Fax:(515) 242-5953
E-mail:sos@sos.iowa.gov

Iowa Business Search Shortcut

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How To Lookup An Entity In Iowa

Iowa Secretary Of State Business Search By Name

  • Go to the homepage of the business database to begin your search.
  • To search, just type the name of the company whose information you’d want to see into the search box and hit enter.
  • Based on your inquiry, a page of results will be created, such as the ones shown below.
  • Select the business number, in blue, just to the left of the business’s name to view the business entity summary for that entity.
  • You will now be in the business entity summary for the entity you selected.
  • All the relevant information is presented, and you have access to officer lists, stock information, a filing history, and more via a series of buttons at the top.

Iowa Secretary Of State Business Search By Business Number In Iowa

  • To search of this nature, simply input the target entity’s business number and click “search.”
  • If everything is right, the database will take you straight to your entity’s business entity summary.
  • This page contains connections to additional information sources such as filing history and officer registrations, as well as all publicly available information.

Steps To Forming A New Corporation In Iowa

  • Choose a Name
  • Choose a Registered Agent in Iowa: Iowa corporations must choose someone or a firm to receive legal notices on their behalf. The registered agent is the main point of contact for the company. When submitting the Articles of Incorporation in step four, you must provide the name and address of the registered agent.
  • Complete the Articles of Incorporation: This is the official document that registers your business with the state of Iowa. When you fill up and submit the Articles of Incorporation, take note that you are acting as the incorporator. Before submitting the paperwork, you must sign as the incorporator.
  • Create a Corporate Record: Under Iowa law, corporations must document and preserve a permanent record of all significant business decisions. The official corporate record may be preserved at the corporation’s main office or kept in a secure location offsite.
  • Form a Board of Directors: The incorporator is responsible for naming the corporation’s first directors. Unless the Articles of Incorporation provide otherwise, the incorporator should record first director appointments in a signed form and keep it on file with the company records.
  • Establish corporate bylaws: The policies and procedures for how the corporation will run are outlined in the corporate bylaws.
  • Obtain your EIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS): Your corporation will be able to recruit staff, submit corporate taxes, create business bank accounts, and more with an EIN.
  • Obtaining Business Permits and Licenses

Should I reserve a name for my business organization?

A corporate entity, whether local or international, can reserve a business name for future usage. A name can be reserved by filling out an Application for Reservation of Name and presenting it to the Secretary of State. If the name is available, it will be reserved for 120 days, after which it will be available for another 120 days. During the restricted time, the name may be transferred by completing and presenting a Notice for Transfer of Corporate Name to the Secretary of State. 

Who is a registered agent?

A registered agent is an individual or a company selected by the entity to receive service of process if the entity is sued. An Iowa resident, an Iowa profit or nonprofit company, or a foreign profit or nonprofit corporation licensed to conduct business in Iowa can all serve as the registered agent. The majority of businesses doing business in Iowa are required to have a registered agent to receive service of process. The Iowa Secretary of State serves as an agent for serving of process in specific circumstances as authorized by law.