Florida Business Entity Search: Complete Guide (2025)

There are multiple ways to search for a business entity using the Florida Divisions of Corporations website. You can use the entity name, officer name, registered agent name, trademark (or trademark owner) name, employer identification number (EIN), document number, zip code, or street address. The Florida entity search is free of charge and can prove useful whether you’re researching the availability of a name before registering a business or if you need information about an existing Florida business entity.

The Florida Department of State business entity search can provide a wealth of information about businesses operating in the state, including their business address, annual reports, formation date, current status, EIN, info about their officers, directors, and members, and more. Let’s examine the various functions of the Florida Secretary of State’s entity search and the information you’ll learn with this tool.

Florida Business Name Guidelines

When you’re starting a business, one of the most important things you’ll do is pick your business name. And like other states, Florida has several rules about naming your business. 

First, your name must be different from “the names of all other entities or filings that are on file” in Florida. You can check if your name is legally distinct by running an entity name search (explained below). Generally speaking, if you run an entity name search and no matches appear, there’s a good chance that your name is available. 

That said, uniqueness isn’t the only naming guideline to adhere to. Here are a few other rules your Florida business name should follow: 

• The name needs to include a designator, such as “corporation,” “incorporated,” or “company” for corporations or “Limited Liability Company” or “LLC” for LLCs. 
• Your business name cannot imply that you’re conducting business activities that aren’t permitted by your formation documents or by state laws.
• Your name cannot imply government affiliation.

If you’re in a licensed trade or profession, keep in mind that you’ll need to meet any naming rules that your industry has in place, too. If your business name doesn’t meet these requirements, you’ll need to pick a new one. 

Search by entity name

The first option for search criteria is based on the entity name. You can search using the company’s whole name, or you can look for partial names in the Florida Division of Corporations database. Type the name search into the empty field and click “Search Now” to search for corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships (LPs), and trademarks registered in Florida.

A list will appear similar to the one displayed below, showing the company name, document number, and current status of each result. You can click on the entity name to discover more detailed information.

On the following page, you can view information like the EIN, formation date, current status, principal address, mailing address, registered agent name and address, the last event of the business, the event effective date, and details about the company’s ownership and management roles. You can also view PDF versions of documents filed by the company, including Florida annual report information.

Search by officer or registered agent name

You can also search the Florida Department of State’s database using a registered agent or officer’s name. The site allows you to search by last name, first name, or even middle initial, although the latter options can provide an overwhelming number of results.

Once you enter the name and click “Search Now,” you’ll see a list of all the limited liability companies, corporations, limited partnerships, and trademarks matching the officer or registered agent’s name. Alongside the entity name and number, you’ll see a link to the registered agent or officer’s name. Click these links to view further details about the company in the Florida Secretary of State’s database.

Search by EIN

You can also perform a search using an entity’s EIN. Simply enter the number into the empty field and click “Search Now.”

Once you enter the number, you’ll see a page similar to the one below. Clicking on the EIN will provide you with more details pertaining to the chosen business.

Specialized Search Options

The Florida business entity search also includes a few specialized search options to find limited liability companies, limited partnerships, corporations, and trademarks, as detailed below.

• Search by document number: If you have the entity’s document number, you can use this search to find matching businesses. If the resulting page reads “Record Not Found,” you’ll need to use a different search method.
• Search by trademark name or trademark owner: The next option allows you to search the Florida Division of Corporations trademark database. Simply use the trademark search or the trademark owner search to find the information you need.
• Search by location: Finally, there are two options to find Florida businesses based on their locations. First off, you can use the zip code option to examine all businesses located within a certain area, although we will warn that there can be an overwhelming number of results in some zip codes. Secondly, you can use the Division of Corporations address search to find businesses based on their exact street addresses.

What to Do After Searching Business Names in Florida

After you’ve come up with a name and searched it, you’re probably feeling like you’ve done a lot of legwork. You’d hate for that hard work to go to waste, right? Here are some steps you can take to protect your Florida business name and make the most of it. 

Reserve your Florida business name (optional)

If you’ve picked the perfect business name but you’re not quite ready to file your business formation paperwork, Florida allows you to reserve your business name. You can make a reservation by writing a letter to the Secretary of State. The letter should list your desired business name, your name, and your address.

Here are the current filing fees for making a name reservation: 

• LLCs: $25
• Corporations: $35
• Limited Partnerships: $52.50

Florida name reservations protect your chosen name for 120 days. This step is optional, and you should only pursue it if you’ve picked a name but aren’t ready to file your formation paperwork.

Form an LLC or register your business

One of the best ways to protect your business name is to register your business. After you register a business under your chosen name, no one else in Florida will be able to register their own company with the same name. 

Registering a Florida business is an important legal process, but we can help you start one. Learn more about starting a Florida LLC.

Get a domain name that matches your business name

You want it to be easy for your customers to find your business website. That means you need a domain name that matches your business name as closely as possible. A matching domain will help your brand maintain consistency both in person and online.

If you’re struggling to come up with a domain name (or the one that matches your name is already taken), try using a domain name generator. A generator can help you come up with a domain that matches your brand image. Once you’re ready, we can help you register your domain name.

Set up your business online

Today, you can’t run a business without a good digital footprint. A good business website is a decent starting point. But don’t stop there; set up social media accounts like a Facebook page, a TikTok profile, and an Instagram account. Make sure your business name is included on each account so your brand is consistent across your online presence.

Last but not least, set up a Google Business Profile for your business (or claim it if it already exists). This profile will help you direct customers to your website or your store location. Plus, it’ll help you respond to customer reviews and build a good brand reputation within the Sunshine State.

Trademark your business name (optional)

If you want the most robust protections for your business name, you could pursue trademark registration. Trademarks can be registered at the state or federal level (with federal protections being the strongest). 

Getting a trademark can be pretty complicated and time-consuming. If you go this route, it’s highly recommended to work with a trademark attorney.