Illinois Secretary of State – IL SOS Business Search

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Illinois Secretary of State Business Services (CyberDrive System)
Address: 213 State Capitol Springfield, IL 62756
Telephone: Corporations: 1(217) 782-6875 LLCs/LPs/LLPs/LLLPs: 1(217) 524-8008
E-Mail: www.ilsos.gov/ContactFormsWeb/businessservices_contact.jsp

Lookup a Business Entity

Step 1 – Start

In order to lookup an entity in Illinois, you will need to visit the Secretary of State’s Website and use the CyberDrive System to Search By:

• Corporation or LLC (Limited Liability Company)
• Limited Partnership (LP), Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), or Limited Liability Limited Partnership (LLLP)

You can perform a search by Name or Filing Number. After doing so you will be brought to the Results Page (As Seen Below).

Step 2 – Choose Your Entity

As you can see on the left, you will be able to preview the entities’ Type, File Number, and Name.

Click the light blue link (Name) and you will be sent to the Details Page (As Seen Below).

Step 3 – Retrieve Information

You have concluded your search and may be able to view any and all information about the corporation. On the details page, you may collect any and all of the business’s Name, File Number, Type, Status, State of Incorporation, Formation Date, Registered Agent (including Name and Address), Annual Report, and Filing Date.

In order to verify the existence of a business you will need to retrieve a Certificate of Good Standing with the Secretary of State.

Step 4 – Steps to form your new Business in Illinois

• Business name availability search (above)
• Internet domain availability search for website and email.
• Choose your entity type (LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, Partnership, or Non-Profit Org)
• Obtain IRS EIN Number (employer identification number).  Create New IRS EIN Number
• Create Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws that include describing the business purpose of the entity, naming the registered agent, directors, registered address, operating guidelines, dissolution provisions, and other information.
• Determine if the new entity requires any federal, state, or local business licenses.
• Determine payroll tax requirements.
• Determine federal, state, and local tax filing requirements.
• Establish the business physical and/or mailing address, phone number, voicemail, website, email address, and business cards.