To check if an LLC is active, search the free business entity database on the Secretary of State’s website in the state where the LLC was formed, then read the status listed on its record. Every state maintains one, the search is free, and it takes a few minutes once you have the company’s exact legal name.
What to Gather Before You Search
You need three things: the LLC’s exact legal name, the state it was formed in, and, if you have it, its entity identification number.
Copy the name from an invoice, contract, or the company’s letterhead. Punctuation matters. A comma, a period, or the choice between “LLC” and “L.L.C.” can be the difference between finding the right record and finding nothing.
The state of formation matters just as much, because there is no federal business registry. LLCs register at the state level, and each state keeps its records independently.1U.S. Small Business Administration. Register Your Business Search the wrong state and you may pull up a similarly named LLC with no connection to the business you’re checking. Marketing materials, professional correspondence, and the company’s own website often indicate where it’s registered.
An entity identification number (sometimes called a filing number or document number) narrows your search to one record. It shows up on past contracts, official state correspondence, and licensing documents.
Running the Search on the State Registry
On the Secretary of State’s website, look for a page called “business entity search,” “corporation search,” or something similar. Enter the LLC’s legal name or ID number in the search field.
Most tools offer filters like “starts with,” “contains,” or “exact match.” If you aren’t certain of the exact name, a “contains” search is the most forgiving. Once you run the search, you’ll get a list of matching records. Click the right one to open a detail page that shows the formation date, registered agent, principal office address, filing history, and current status.
Many state portals also let you view scanned copies of the original Articles of Organization and past annual reports at no charge. That gives you a fuller picture of the company’s history without ordering paper records.
Reading the Status Label
The status on the record is the answer to your question. The wording varies by state, but the common designations map to a few practical categories.
- Active or in good standing. The LLC has filed what it owes and paid its fees or taxes. It can legally sign contracts, sue and be sued, and its members retain personal liability protection.
- Suspended or forfeited. The state has temporarily stripped the LLC of authority to do business, usually for failing to file an annual report or pay required taxes. A suspended LLC generally cannot bring a lawsuit, defend itself in court, or transfer real property. Contracts signed while suspended may be voidable by the other party.
- Administratively dissolved. The state has formally terminated the LLC after a prolonged period of noncompliance. This is a step beyond suspension: the company’s legal existence has been ended by state action.
- Dissolved or inactive. The LLC has ceased to exist, either because its owners filed dissolution paperwork or because a court ordered it. It can only finish settling debts, liquidating assets, and distributing what remains.
The gap between “suspended” and “dissolved” is significant. A suspended LLC can often be restored to good standing by filing overdue paperwork and paying penalties. A dissolved LLC has reached the end of its legal life. Under the Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, the model law many states have adopted, a dissolved LLC “continues after dissolution only for the purpose of winding up” its affairs.2Bureau of Indian Affairs. Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (2006) – Section 702 Winding up covers paying creditors, settling disputes, and distributing remaining assets. It does not cover new contracts or new projects.
Checking an LLC That Operates in a Different State
An LLC formed in one state but doing business in another has to register in that second state as a “foreign LLC” by obtaining a certificate of authority, sometimes called a foreign qualification.1U.S. Small Business Administration. Register Your Business The same LLC can therefore appear in multiple state databases, once in its home state and once in each state where it registered to operate.
If a business is working with you in your state but was formed elsewhere, search your own state’s registry to confirm it holds a valid foreign qualification. An LLC that skipped this step may face penalties and may lose the ability to bring lawsuits in your state. When in doubt, check both the home state and the state where the work will actually happen.
When a Screenshot Isn’t Enough
The free registry lookup is fine for your own due diligence. Banks, lenders, landlords, and courts usually want more: a certificate of good standing, sometimes called a certificate of existence or certificate of legal existence. It’s an official state-issued document confirming that the LLC is registered and current on its filings.
You can order one directly from the Secretary of State’s website. Government fees range from a few dollars to around $175 for expedited or detailed versions. Most states process online orders within a few days, and some issue them instantly. Some states offer both a short-form certificate confirming status only and a long-form version that includes the full filing history.
A certificate has no formal expiration date, but most financial institutions and government agencies will only accept one issued within the last 30 to 90 days. If you need it for a loan, a closing, or a major contract, order a fresh copy close to the transaction date.
What to Do If the Status Isn’t Active
If the status is anything other than “active” or “in good standing,” slow down before signing anything. A suspended LLC typically cannot sue to enforce a contract, so if it fails to deliver, it may not be able to take itself to court to recover losses until it restores its status. Contracts signed during the suspension may also be voidable at your request, leaving both sides in an uncertain position.
A dissolved LLC is a harder problem. Because it exists only to wind up its affairs, it has no legal authority to take on new obligations.2Bureau of Indian Affairs. Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (2006) – Section 702 You may be dealing with a company that has no assets, no legal standing to perform, and no ongoing liability protections for its members.
Reinstatement is possible in most states for an LLC that was administratively dissolved or suspended, though not usually for one that was voluntarily dissolved. It generally means filing all past-due annual reports and tax returns, paying back taxes and penalties, and submitting a reinstatement application. Retroactivity rules vary by state. If you want to keep the deal alive, ask the LLC’s owners to complete reinstatement and provide a fresh certificate of good standing before you finalize the agreement.
When the State Registry Turns Up Nothing
Sometimes a business operates under a name that doesn’t match its state filing. Many use a “doing business as” (DBA) name, also called a fictitious business name, which is usually filed at the county level rather than the state. If a Secretary of State search returns nothing, try the county clerk’s records in the county where the business operates. That search can reveal the actual LLC behind a trade name on a storefront or an advertisement.
Local business licenses and professional permits offer another layer of confirmation. A valid license for a regulated trade like contracting, real estate, or healthcare suggests the business is meeting at least some ongoing compliance requirements. These records, kept by city or county licensing departments, usually list the owner’s name and the current physical address, which helps confirm you’re dealing with a real, operating company.