To search for business entities in Florida, you must go to the SunBiz Secretary of State website. The division of corporations is the official index of business entities and the website of business activities for the State of Florida. If you have the company name, fictitious company name, or your DBA, you can search for your EIN on the Corporate Division website. You can also do the search if the only information you have is the name of a company official or the business owner.
The website's search function has additional options to help you identify a company and its EIN. One of the first steps to take when starting a business in Florida is to perform a Florida business name search. The Florida Department of State maintains an organized registry of Florida business entities that exist or have been dissolved. The database is free to use and makes it easy to search for existing companies or to query an available business name.
The Florida Division of Corporations also offers users the ability to search by business address and zip code. Performing a brand search through the Electronic Brand Search System before selecting a business name could prevent headaches in the future. Access to information about starting a small business can help people plan wisely and avoid common mistakes. In Florida, sole proprietorships do not have to file an application with the Division of Corporations to start their business operations.
Businesses must have a business mailing address in order to open a business bank account and are not allowed to use a P.O. Box as their primary mailing address. Similar to selecting a good business name, companies with a large logo impress customers, helping to distinguish themselves from the competition, and create a positive visual memory of their unique business services for customers. Writing a business plan can help organize the ideas of business owners and create a path that businesses can follow.
LLCs are independent legal entities that separate business interests, debts, and liabilities of owners from personal liabilities. Many entrepreneurs create an LLC because it's simple and can protect their personal assets in the event of a lawsuit or when the company can't pay its debts. It also helps build business credibility should business loans be needed to grow the business in the future. The Secretary of State is the person responsible for overseeing elections, business, and other state affairs.
This identification number is used to identify businesses and taxpayers for the purpose of filing business tax returns. A DBA (doing business as), or trade name, is a fictitious business name under which companies operate to do business outside the formal name of the LLC. Once a company name is selected in the search results, the Corporate Details page will display more information about the chosen entity. When selecting a Florida business name, it is important to understand the different naming requirements for each type of entity.
The database maintains a list of active and expired commercial licenses that the public can search for free.
