To run an Alabama LLC lookup, use the Secretary of State’s free Business Entity Records search. It takes less than a minute, works from either the company name or its Entity ID number, and shows the LLC’s current status, formation date, registered agent, and registered office address.1Alabama Secretary of State. Business Entity Records
How to Run the Search
Open the Business Entity Records page on the Secretary of State’s site and pick one of four filters:1Alabama Secretary of State. Business Entity Records
- Entity Name. The most common choice. Partial matches work, so an approximate spelling will still surface the company.
- Entity Number. Every registered entity has a unique ID. Alabama recently moved from a 6-digit to a 9-digit format by adding three leading zeros to older numbers, and either version returns a match.
- Officer, Agent, or Incorporator. Searches by a person’s name, useful when you know who runs a company but not its exact legal name.
- Reservation or Registration by ID. Searches by the ID assigned to a pending name reservation or registration.
The system returns a list of possible matches with each entity’s name, location, and status. If several LLCs have similar names, read the list carefully before you click through to the full record.
What the Record Shows
Clicking a result opens the LLC’s detail page. You’ll see the official Entity ID, the formation date, the current legal status, and the registered office address on file with the state.
Every Alabama LLC must designate a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. The agent is the person or company authorized to accept lawsuits and official notices on the LLC’s behalf.2Alabama Secretary of State. LLCs The agent’s name and address appear in the record, so if you need to serve legal papers, that’s the contact to use.
One thing the database does not show is a list of the LLC’s members or owners. Alabama does not require LLCs to disclose membership in their public filings, so the record is limited to what was submitted at formation and in any later filings.
What the Status Label Means
The status field is the first thing to check if you’re vetting a company. The common labels:
- Exists. The LLC is active and in good standing. Its formation documents have been processed and it holds a valid Entity ID.3Alabama Secretary of State. Domestic Entities
- Dissolved. The LLC has been dissolved, either voluntarily by its members or administratively by the state, and is no longer authorized to conduct business.
- Withdrawn. Applies to foreign LLCs (those formed in another state) that have withdrawn their registration to do business in Alabama.
Anything other than “Exists” should raise questions before you sign a contract, extend credit, or rely on the entity in a legal filing.
Why an LLC May Show as Dissolved
Administrative dissolution often traces back to the Alabama business privilege tax. Falling behind on that return with the Department of Revenue is one of the most common reasons an LLC’s status flips from “Exists” to “Dissolved.”4Alabama Department of Revenue. Alabama Business Privilege Tax If you’re trying to figure out why a search result came back dissolved, unpaid privilege tax is worth checking.
A dissolved LLC can be reinstated by filing a Certificate of Reinstatement with the Secretary of State. Once that filing is processed, the status in the database changes back to “Exists” on the same day.5Alabama Secretary of State. Domestic Limited Liability Company Certificate of Reinstatement So a current “Dissolved” label could change if you check again later.
Getting an Official Certificate or Certified Copy
The free search is enough to verify basic facts, but banks, lenders, and courts often require a document bearing the Secretary of State’s seal.
- Certificate of Existence. Confirms the LLC is in good standing and authorized to do business. The fee is $25.6Alabama Secretary of State. Fee Schedule
- Certified copies. Authenticated copies of the Certificate of Formation or other filed documents. The cost is $2 per page plus a $10 certification fee.
Orders go through the same online system. You add the document to a digital cart and pay by credit card, with a small processing surcharge on card payments. Once payment clears, electronic documents are available for immediate download or arrive via an emailed link.
Foreign LLCs and Empty Searches
LLCs formed in another state must register in Alabama as a “foreign LLC” by filing an Application for Registration with the Secretary of State. The filing fee is $150.2Alabama Secretary of State. LLCs Once registered, a foreign LLC appears in the same Business Entity Records search as a domestic one.
If a company you expect to find isn’t showing up, two explanations are common. It may be operating in Alabama without the required foreign registration, or it may be registered under a legal name that differs slightly from the trade name it uses publicly. Try a partial name search or an officer search before concluding the company isn’t on file.