Last Updated on January 30, 2024
Alabama Business Name Search
The Business Services Section of the Alabama Secretary of State is in charge of keeping records of most business entities that are incorporated in Alabama. Every business filing, name and authorization that takes place in the state is recorded in the database of the Business Services Section. The following types of entities have their details recorded in the Secretary of State database:
- Domestic Corporation
- Foreign Corporation
- Cooperatives
- Limited Liability Company (LLC)
- Limited Partnership
- Limited Company
- Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Sole proprietorships and general partnerships are not registered with the Secretary of State as they are not registered business entities.
If you are looking for information on a nonprofit corporation, visit the Alabama Office of Attorney General.
Alabama Business Entity Search
A business entity that has registered with the Business Services Section can be searched based on the following search options:
- Entity Name
- Entity ID
- Officer, Agent, or Incorporator Name
- Reservation by ID
- Date
- Month and Year
All of the search options are mentioned at the bottom of the Search Page. You can click on any of the options of your choice to search for a business entity in Alabama.
Assuming you have chosen Alabama corporation search or entity name as your option, let’s look at our simple step-by-step guide to use the search tool below. Read on to understand the search process better.
Step 1 – Click to go to the Alabama Secretary of State’s Website to the Business Entity Search Page. The page which appears will look like the screenshot below.
Step 2 – Key in the entity name in the appropriate field. As an example, let’s type in “Alabama LLC” in the entity name field.
Step 3 – Click on the “Search” button, and the Results Page will appear. It will contain a list of entities that contain the name you typed on this screen, information such as the Entity ID number, Entity Name, City of the principal office, type of business entity (Limited Liability, Corporation, Etc), and the legal status shows whether the entity is in good standing with the Secretary of State. An entity can be removed from good standing by not filing their annual report, being behind on state taxes, etc., but won’t show whether they are up-to-date with a business license filings.
Step 4 – Click on an entity name. A page containing detailed information on the entity will then appear (See the screenshot below for reference).
Available information includes;
- Entity number number
- Legal name of the business entity
- Entity type
- Principal address of the business
- Mailing address (can be a PO Box)
- Status (Exists, Dissolved, etc.)
- Place of formation
- Formation date
- Qualify date
- Registered agent name
- Registered agent office address
- Registered agent mailing address
- Nature of business (optional)
- Capital authorized
- Capital paid in
- How long the business has been registered with the state
In Alabama a Registered Agent is required. The business owner is usually the one who files as the entity’s registered agent. When they file, their home address is often used and is now a public record that can be looked up by anyone. If that is a concern, consider looking into a Registered Agent service.
Search Business by Entity ID in Alabama
You can also search for an Alabama Business Entity by Searching by the Entity ID. The business must already exist, and you need to know the ID number.
Enter the ID number in the box and click on the “Search button”. As an example, if you enter “453 – 831” into the Search Box, you’ll find the Alabama company “Pizza by the Slice, LLC” (you’ll also see the company’s records).
Click the “New Search” button at the bottom to enter a new ID, or click “Browse Results” to return to the Results Page.
The entity ID is not the same as an Employer Identification Number (EIN). The EIN is a unique number assigned by the IRS to a business, while the entity ID is a number that is assigned to corporations, LLCs, etc, by the state of Alabama.
AL Corporation Search by Agent, Officer, Incorporator
You can use this search feature to find a business entity registered in Alabama based on either the Registered Agent, corporate officer, incorporator, or the person who filed the documents.
To run a business entity search by Agent, Officer or Incorporator, enter that person’s name, select the officer type, and enter the county of formation (if applicable), then search and browse the records.
Business Entity Search by Month and Year
You can also use the Alabama Corporation Search feature by time frame using the month and year page. Just select the month, enter the year, and then search the results.
Business Entity Search by Date
If you want to run an Alabama Corporation Search for something filed on an exact and specific day, use Business Entity Search by Date page. Click the date box and select from the calendar. Then click “Search”.
Business Entity Search by Reservation ID
If you reserved a name or used another reservation filing in Alabama, you can also do a Reservation ID Number Search. Just enter the reservation ID for the Alabama entity and then click “Search”.
How to Register a Business Name
If you are searching for a business name for your corporation or LLC, but aren’t ready to register, you can reserve a name with the Secretary of State. To do so, fill out the Alabama Name Reservation Request Form. A $10 filing fee for standard processing or $25 expedited processing fee (24 hours) will apply.
Business Licenses
The business name registration is different from business licenses in Alabama. The Alabama Department of Revenue has more information regarding business licenses.
Business Tax ID Number
In order to get a business tax ID number in Alabama, contact the Alabama Department of Revenue.
Correction to Name Certificate Request Form
If you already have a name on file but wish to change it, fill out the Reservation Certificate Request Form. A $10 filing fee for standard processing or $25 expedited processing fee (24 hours) will apply.
Information on the Alabama (AL) SOS
Office:
The Secretary of State (SOS) of Alabama is one of the constitutional offices of the state of Alabama. Initially, the Secretary of State of Alabama served a term of two years; now, the term has been extended to four years. Previously appointed by the legislature, the Secretary of State of Alabama is now popularly elected by the residents of the state.
The current Alabama Secretary of State is Wes Allen.
Contact information for the Alabama Secretary of State:
P.O. Box 5616
Montgomery, AL 36103-5616
Phone: (334) 242-7200
Functions:
The Secretary of State of Alabama is the guardian of the Seal of the State and is also in charge of the public records, Alabama UCC filings, (Uniform Commercial Code) and state archives. In addition, the Alabama Secretary of State is the head of the following departments of the state:
- Business Services Section
- Administrative Services Division
- Elections Division
- Government Records Section