Updated: January 27, 2019
PDF copies of imaged business entity documents, including Statements of Information are available for free on the Secretary of State's Business Search. Note: Statements of Information for common interest developments must be submitted on paper, by mail or in person (drop off), at this time. The Corporations Division databases allow users to search and create reports on businesses using any number of variables. Search by “Business Name” Search by “Principal Name” Search by “Location” Search by “Registered Agent” Please note that our business search capability supports the following search types: Starts with (default).
The Secretary of State of Illinois maintains one of the country’s largest databases which contain information on hundreds of thousands of business entities, primarily including Corporations and Limited Liability Companies (LLCs).
The business database also has information regarding the following entities:
To do your search for a business entity, you need to know to have at least one of the following information with you:
To make your search easier, we have created an easy-to-follow guide for you below.
Step 1 – Visit the Illinois Secretary of State’s website (it will look like the screenshot below).
Step 2 – Choose what type of business entity you are searching for. In this example, we’ve selected “Corporate and LLC”.
Step 3 – Next, choose any of the search methods provided. In this example, we’ve chosen to search by name.
Step 4 – Now enter the Business Entity name in the field. For our sample name, let us type in “Exelon“, then click the “Submit” button.
Step 5 – The Results Page will then appear (see the screenshot below for reference).
Click on the business entity’s name to access more information including its:
Here you can also request a certificate of good standing.
In Illinois, one of the requirements for a corporation or LLC is that a Registered Agent has to be named. This person is a single point of contact in case the business needs to be served with legal papers or contacted by the state. One of the business owners often file as the entities Registered Agent. When they file, their home address is often used (PO Boxes aren’t allowed) and the owner's name and address is now a public record that can be looked up by anyone. This can be a big concern, especially for home-based businesses. Using a commercial Registered Agent service will keep their personal address from being public record..
Office:
As the second largest constitutional office of the state, the Secretary of State of Illinois is also an elected governmental institution.
The Secretary of State of Illinois is a government office visited by more Illinois residents than any other government office in the state.
Jesse White, a Democrat, has been the incumbent office holder since 1999.
Functions:
The Secretary of State of Illinois is the custodian of the public records, Illinois UCC filings and archives, state laws, state records, State Capitol and Library. Aside from registering corporations, lobbyists and notaries, he is also in charge of issuing licenses to Illinois-registered vehicles and motorists.
213 State Capitol
Springfield, IL 62756
800-252-8980
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