Iowa Secretary of State – IA SOS Business Search

Iowa Secretary of State Business Services Division
Address: First Floor, Lucas Building, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319
Telephone: (515) 281-5204
Fax: (515) 242-5953
Website: www.sos.iowa.gov
E-Mail: [email protected]

Lookup a Business Entity

Step 1 – Start

To look up any type of business entity in Iowa, you must first go to the Secretary of State’s Website. Here you will be able to perform a lookup by Name or Number.

After making your selection, you will be directed to the results page which will have all matching terms from the Secretary of State’s Database (As Seen Below).

Step 2 – Choose Your Entity

You are now able to view all the results from your query and be able to preview the business’s Number, Name, Status, and Type. To view all the information located with the State, you will want to click on the dark blue text link. This will bring you to the Details Page (As Seen Below).

Step 3 – Retrieve Information

If you have selected the business you were looking for then this marks the end of your search. You can now view all information related to the entity including its Legal Name, Status, Type, State of Incorporation, Formation Date, Effective Date, Principal Office Address, Registered Agent (Name & Address), Number of Shares, and all the Officers.

Step 4 – Steps to form your new Business in Iowa

• 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.