Whether you’re researching the availability of a business name or checking the status of a business entity, find the information you need from the Florida Department of State’s website. Like all other states, Florida requires each LLC or corporation registered in the state to have a unique business name. You can do a Florida business name search on the Florida Department of State website to see if the business name you want to use is available.  

Related: Guide to starting a business in Florida

Steps To Do A Florida Business Name Search

Step 1: Visit the Florida Entity Name Database

Visit the Florida Department of State’s website.

Step 2: Search for a Business Name

Enter the name you would like to use in the “Entity Name” field.  In this example, we will do a Florida LLC name search by looking up “Sew What.” After entering the company name, click “Search Now.”

Step 3: Review the Results

When we search “Sew What,” we get several listings that show up.  One column to keep an eye on when searching for available business names is the last column called “Status.”  A record with a status of “INACT” means it is inactive and probably available to use.  A message of “Active” means the company is operational and in good standing with the state. We are looking for names that are very similar to the ones we want to register.  In this example, forming a business named “Sew What LLC” (with or without the question mark) isn’t possible since there is an active listing. To learn more about a business, click on the link for “Corporate Name.”  Here we will select the “SEW WHAT LLC” listing that is active.

Clicking on the name gives us a detailed view of the business.

While the name “Sew What” by itself may not be available other variants such as “Sew What Quilting” or “Sew What Seamstress” are.  Searching for those business names brings a result that says “There were no records found”.  While final approval is still with the Department of State, it is likely available to register.

These are the basics of searching for a business name in Florida.  Even when the name of the business you want is available, the Florida Department of State’s Sunbiz website will make a final determination at the time of filing to ensure the name you picked isn’t too similar to other registered names.

What information can be found on the Florida business entity database?

A Florida business search can uncover many details about registered businesses operating in the state. A few of these include:

• Date Filed: The official date the business entity formation was submitted to the Department of State.
• Effective Date: Date the corporation or LLC started
• Status: “Active” means the entity is in good standing.
• Principal Address: Physical address of the entity.  This can be a physical location like a storefront or an address where the records are stored.
• Mailing Address: An address where communications from the Department of State are sent.
• Registered Agent Information: A Florida registered agent is the singular point of contact for the entity should a legal or tax notice need to be sent to the business.  This is often one of the owners, and if their home address is used, that address becomes public information.  Many people find this concerning and use a Registered Agent service like NorthWest Registered Agent, so their home address isn’t listed.
• Authorized Person(s) Detail: Name(s) of people who are authorized to act on behalf of the entity.
• Document Images – Filings like the Florida LLC Articles of Organization or the Articles of Incorporation.

Florida Business Name Search FAQs