How to Find Out If an LLC Is Legitimate

The Secretary of State has information on file about registered limited liability companies.

A Limited Liability Company, or LLC, is a legal form of business organization that is created by filing articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State where the business is originally headquartered. Once an LLC is legalized, you must file an annual report with the Secretary of State. An LLC is only valid on a state-by-state basis. If a company elects to do business in other states, an article of incorporation must be filed and approved for the other states.

Instructions

1. Contact the Secretary of State's office in the state where the company is doing business. You may visit the office, call or visit them online. The method of contact may vary by state, but most states offer all three.

2. Provide the full name of the company or business you want to verify. Make sure you have the correct name and proper spelling of the business, as there may be another company on file with a similar name.

3. Verify that the LLC has articles of incorporation in active status. Some businesses may have filed at some point, but may not have filed for an annual renewal, at which point the status will show as dissolved or inactive.

4. Review other information about the company, such as the type of incorporation and entity creation date.

References

• National Association of Secretaries of State
• Internal Revenue Service: Small Business: Limited Liability Company

Resources

• Internal Revenue Service: Small Business: Forming a Limited Liability Company