Run by the Secretary of State’s Business Services Division. It covers corporations, nonprofits, LLCs, LPs, and LLPs.
Illinois Secretary of State | Business Entity Search
The Illinois Secretary of State publishes business records through its Business Services Division. The free online search covers corporations, LLCs, and partnerships, and lets you look one up by name, file number, registered agent, or even a named officer.
Business Name Availability Check
State of Illinois
What the Illinois Business Search Covers
Each record lists the entity type, status, registration date, registered agent, principal office, officers or members, and annual report history.
Searching is free and open to the public, though the record reflects only the most recent filing.
How to Search by Business Name
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Open the Illinois business entity search
Go to the Business Services Division's Business Entity Search, or use the direct link below. The search is free and public.
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Choose how to search
Search by business name, file number, registered agent, president, secretary, manager, or by keyword and partial word. Illinois assigns each entity an 8-digit file number.
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Read the results
Results show the entity name, file number, type, status, and registration date. Click a name to open its record.
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Review the entity record
The detail page adds the registered agent, principal office, annual report history, and the officers, directors, managers, or members on file.
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Check whether the record is current
Illinois shows the last filed information. If a company has not filed an amendment or recent annual report, older details may still be displayed.
Ready to try it? Open the official business entity search and run your query.
Search Illinois entities ↗All the Ways to Search Illinois Records
Business Name / Keyword
Search by full name, keyword, or partial word. The most common starting point.
Open this search ↗File Number
Go straight to one record using the entity's 8-digit Illinois file number.
Open this search ↗Registered Agent
Find the entities tied to a particular Illinois registered agent.
Open this search ↗Officer (President/Secretary/Manager)
Search by the name of a president, secretary, or manager on file.
Open this search ↗Rules That Make Your Search Work
- Search by business name, file number, registered agent, officer, keyword, or partial word.
- Illinois assigns each entity an 8-digit file number you can search by directly.
- The covered entity types include corporations, nonprofits, LLCs, LPs, and LLPs.
- Searching is free and open to the public.
- The record shows the last filed information, so older details persist until an amendment or annual report updates them.
- Entities must file an annual report to stay in good standing.
Reading the Entity Detail Page
| Field | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| File Number | The 8-digit number the Secretary of State assigned to the entity. |
| Entity Name | The registered legal name of the business. |
| Entity Type | The structure, such as a Domestic or Foreign Corporation, LLC, LP, or LLP. |
| Status | Whether the entity is Active, in Good Standing, or in another condition such as dissolved. |
| Registration / Formation Date | The date the entity was formed in Illinois or registered as a foreign entity. |
| Registered Agent | The name and Illinois address of the agent designated to receive legal documents. |
| Principal Office | The entity's principal business address as most recently reported. |
| Officers / Members | The officers, directors, managers, or members on file for the entity type. |
| Annual Report History | The entity's annual report filing history. |
Two official references help you go further:
How to View and Download a Company's Filings
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Open the entity’s detail page
Search by name or file number and click the entity to reach its record.
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Review the filing details
The record shows the registered agent, officers or members, and the annual report history on file.
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Order copies if you need them
Request certified copies or a certificate of good standing from the Business Services Division for a fee.
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Confirm the record is current
Because Illinois shows the last filed information, check that a recent annual report or amendment backs up the details you rely on.
Heads up on currency: the search displays the last filed information. If an entity moved or changed agents without filing an amendment or annual report, the older details stay public until it updates them.
Illinois Business Search - Common Questions
Is the Illinois business entity search free?
Yes. The Business Services Division search is free and open to the public.
What is the file number?
Illinois issues each entity an 8-digit file number when it registers. You can search for a business directly by that number.
Why might the information look out of date?
The search shows the last filed information. If a company has moved or changed its agent without filing an amendment or annual report, the old details remain public.
Does Illinois require an annual report?
Yes. Corporations and LLCs file an annual report to stay in good standing; the record shows the annual report history.
Can I search by an officer's name?
Yes. You can search by president, secretary, or manager, as well as by registered agent, in addition to business name and file number.
A name is available in Illinois. Does that mean I can use it?
Not necessarily. State availability does not clear a name against federal trademarks. Run a USPTO trademark screen and check domain and social-handle availability before committing.