Last Updated on March 14, 2023
Idaho SOS Business Search Instructions
The Business Entities of the Secretary of State of Idaho is the department in charge of registering and keeping records of business entities in the state. Any business entity, like Corporations, Limited Liability Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships, Limited Companies, or Limited Partnerships, filed under the Idaho Secretary of State, will have their information recorded in the Business Entities database. The database can be accessed using the department’s online search tool.
Quick Links
How to do an Idaho Business Entity Search
For your search, you will need to have one of the following information:
- Business Entity Name
- Business Entity City
- Organizational ID or Filing Number (This is a state issued number and not the same as the Employer Identification Number issued by the IRS)
- Registered Agent Name
- Registered Agent City
- Date of Origination or Authorization
Also see: How to start an LLC in Idaho
To make the search easy for you, we have illustrated the steps below:
Step 1 – Go to the Idaho Secretary of State’s website. (See the screenshots below for reference).
Step 2 – Type in the Business Entity Name or any other information you have. You may leave the other fields empty, or you fill in more details to narrow down your search.
As an example, let’s key in the name “CityPass” in the “Business Entity Name” field (see the screenshot below for reference).
Step 3 – Click on the “Search” button, and the Results Page will appear.
Step 4 – Click on the business name that you would like more details for. A popup will show all of the entity’s details like:
- Type of Business (Corporation, Limited Liability Company, etc.)
- Status (Active – Good Standing means the entity is current with the state, other results indicate the business may not be in existence)
- Formed In (If the result is Idaho, this means the entity is a domestic entity. An out-of-state result means it is a foreign entity)
- Principal Address (PO Boxes are not allowed)
- Mailing Address
- Initial Filing Date
- Annual Report Due Date
- Registered Agent
From this screen, you are able to view the Annual Report filings. You may also request a certificate of existence for a small fee.
Idaho Registered Agent
In Idaho, one of the requirements for a registered businesses is that a Registered Agent has to be named. This agent is a single point of contact in case the business needs to be served with legal papers or contacted by the state. One of the business owners often files as the entity's Registered Agent. When they file, their home address is often used (PO Boxes aren’t allowed), and the owner's name and address are now a public record that can be looked up by anyone. This can be a big concern, especially for home-based businesses. Using a commercial Registered Agent service like Northwest Registered Agent will keep their personal address from being public record.
Business Licenses
The business name registration is different from business licensing in Idaho. The Idaho Department of Revenue has more information regarding Idaho business licenses.
Also see: How to do an Idaho UCC search
Information on the Idaho Secretary of State
Office:
One of the elected constitutional offices of Idaho, the Secretary of State of Idaho is among the highest-ranked government officials in the state. The Idaho Secretary of State belongs to the executive branch of the state. Its current office holder is Phil McGrane.
Functions:
Apart from being the keeper of the Great Seal of Idaho, the Secretary of State performs electoral, economic, administrative, election oversight, and governmental duties.
Secretary of State Contact Information
450 N. 4th Street
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 334-2301
business@sos.idaho.gov