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How To Search Arizona Business Entities

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How To Search Arizona Business Entities
How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Arizona?
Why Conduct an Arizona Entity Search?
Who Holds Data for Arizona Business Entity Search?
What Entities Can You Register in Arizona?
How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Arizona?
How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Arizona?
How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Arizona?
Additional Information Available on the Arizona Corporate Commission’s Website
FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Arizona

Over 125,000 new business applications are filed in Arizona every year. These businesses include corporations, limited liability companies, and nonprofit corporations. The annual registration of Arizona business entities varies depending on economic conditions and business trends. For the most current and reliable information on business entity registrations, contact the Arizona Corporate Commission.

Accessing business entity information plays a vital role in maintaining a well-regulated business environment. It allows organizations and individuals to verify the authenticity of businesses and their legal compliance with state laws. In addition, obtaining or viewing business entity records helps prevent fraudulent activities as organizations and businesses can confirm the legitimacy of the business operations. Furthermore, access to business entity records promotes accountability and builds trust in business transactions.

Choose Your Search Criteria

Users may explore business entity records through the web tool using different search criteria, including:

Entity Name
Use the registered name of the business to facilitate the search
Statutory Agent Name
The name of the registered agent appointed to accept legal documents on behalf of the corporation may be used to look up business entity records.
Principal Name
The full name of the owner of the business owner may be used to search business entity records
Entity ID
The identification number issued to the business entity after registration

To ensure that searchers get the desired business entity record, the platform permits filtering the search criteria using the entity type, entity status, name type, or county.

Review Search Results

Generally, the search results include information on the business entity’s principal name, principal type, entity ID, entity name, the county the business operates, and the status of the business.

Access Detailed Information

To access detailed information about a particular business, users may click on the business entity name from the search results. The available information includes:

Entity Name – Displays the registered name of the business entity.
Entity ID – The identification number issued upon registering the business.
Entity Type – The classification of the business, such as LLC, Corporation, Partnership, Nonprofit, or LLP.
Entity Status – Indicates the current legal status of the business (e.g., Active, Inactivated, Voluntarily Canceled, or Expired).
Formation Date – The date on which the business was officially registered.
Statutory Agent Information – Includes the agent’s name, appointment status, physical and mailing address, and county of residence.
Principal Information – The title, name, and address of the principal agent, along with the date they assumed office.
Address – The physical address of the business entity.

Further Assistance

Should you need assistance locating business entity records, the Arizona Corporate Commission (ACC) can provide the necessary support to locate the specific record.

How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Arizona?

Finding the owner of a business entity in Arizona begins with checking out free pulli search resources like public search engines. While search engines offer information on corporations, the information is basic. It does not give insight into the management structure, the business status, or the principal and designated agents of the company.

Where to Access Business Ownership Information in Arizona

Generally, comprehensive information on Arizona business entities is available through the ACC Database. Persons seeking business entity records may follow the procedure outlined to access the records. Searchers may also utilize other public resources to access the ownership structure of business entities. These resources include:

Arizona Secretary of State
The Arizona Secretary of State provides resources to search for sole proprietorship or partnership business entities using trade names. Search Trade Names
Arizona Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)
UCC filings may list principals or owners of business entities involved in financing agreements.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
The BBB provides access to business listings and reviews throughout the United States, including Arizona. Visit BBB

Other Public Records: Public records such as court records, real estate records, business license records, and tax records may provide information on the ownership of business entities in Arizona.

Why Conduct an Arizona Entity Search?

Conducting an Arizona entity search may be beneficial for various reasons ranging from legal, professional, and personal concerns. Also, performing an Arizona entity search may help with financial investment decisions.

Generally, business entity searches are used to:

Verify the legitimacy of businesses
Identify who owns or manages the business
Ensure business compliance with regulatory requirements before mergers or partnership agreements
Protect and avoid legal disputes over intellectual property
Avoid fraudulent businesses
Gain insights into the business statutes, whether active or dissolved

Consumer Trust + Due Diligence

Consumer relationships thrive on trust when engaging with a business. By conducting an Arizona entity search, consumers may verify that a business is legally registered and in good standing with the state. Furthermore, it may help to learn more about the people responsible for the entity.

Investor Research

Conducting a business search is essential when considering investing with a business, as it helps validate that the business structure matches its public claims. Investors may also identify the business owners and check if the business complies with state laws.

Supplier Verification

An Arizona entity search can help verify that suppliers are legitimate and will fulfill their obligations. This may help avoid working with businesses with compliance issues or businesses that have been dissolved.

Fraud Prevention

Conducting an Arizona entity search helps avoid scams and prevent fraud. By identifying unregistered businesses, businesses using false information to operate, or looking for mismatched information or missing owners, performing an Arizona search may help deal with fake companies, guarding against fraud.

Who Holds Data for Arizona Business Entity Search?

The following agencies may hold information regarding Arizona business entities:

What Entities Can You Register in Arizona?

You can register the following business entities in Arizona:

Corporations

A corporation is a distinct legal entity separate from its owners. Corporations have their own legal identity, which protects shareholders' personal assets from corporate liabilities. There are two types of corporations in Arizona:

S Corporation:
Have a special tax status that avoids double taxation. Income passes through to shareholders, and taxes are remitted at the individual level.
C Corporation:
Subject to double taxation at both the corporate and shareholder levels.

Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)

LLCs are separate legal entities from their owners, offering asset protection. Profits and losses are reported on the owner's personal tax return, avoiding corporate taxes.

Partnerships

Also called general partnerships, these are entities owned by two or more people who share management responsibilities, profits, and losses.

Limited Partnerships (LPs)

A partnership structure with at least one general partner who manages the business and has unlimited liability, and one limited partner who has limited liability and no management authority.

Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)

LLPs are partnerships where all partners have limited personal liability for business debts.

Sole Proprietorship

Sole proprietorships are owned and operated by one individual who is personally liable for all business debts and legal obligations. Profits and losses are reported on the owner’s personal tax return.

Nonprofit Corporations

Nonprofits are formed for charitable, religious, or educational purposes. They are tax-exempt and do not pay federal income taxes on income related to the organization’s mission.

Professional Corporation

Designed for licensed professionals such as lawyers, doctors, accountants, architects, and others to operate their practices under a corporate structure.

How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Arizona?

It is essential to check the availability of a business entity name before registering a new business in Arizona. It ensures that the name you choose is unique and compliant with state laws, as using a business name already taken by another business can result in expensive lawsuits. Generally, prospective business entities may utilize the ACC Database web tool to look up the availability of their proposed business name.

In addition, prospective business owners may utilize other online resources to check if their preferred business name is available. Some of these databases include:

How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Arizona?

Types of Business Entities in Arizona

Setting up a business entity in Arizona involves identifying the type of business you want to set up, choosing the business structure, registering with the appropriate authorities, and complying with local and state regulations. The type of business entity you choose may affect your liabilities, taxes, and management style. Generally, the most common options include:

Sole Proprietorship
Ideal for individual business owners but has no liability protection for its owners. Entry costs are low.
General Partnership
Best for businesses with more than one owner, sharing business responsibilities equally
LLC
Ideal for businesses looking for liability and tax protections
Corporation
Best suited for larger businesses. Corporations provide liability protections to their owners
Nonprofit Organizations
Ideal for entities focused on charitable, educational, or religious purposes

After identifying your business structure, follow these steps to set up your business entity:

Select a business name. Utilize the ACC Database to ensure that the business name is available. You may also reserve a business name for up to 120 days before formally registering the business entity.
Submit your formation documents. You may choose to file the documents online at the ACC. LLCs may complete the Articles of Organization form, for-profit corporations may complete the Articles of Incorporation form, and nonprofit organizations may complete the Articles of Incorporation form.
File the company’s ownership information with the BOI.
Complete a transaction privilege tax application with the Arizona Department of Revenue.
Register the business entity with the city or county you intend to domicile the business.
Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

For further resources for starting your Arizona business, contact the ACC.

How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Arizona?

Business Registration Fees in Arizona

The cost of starting a business in Arizona varies depending on the type of business entity and licenses required. The cost to start a business in Arizona is as follows:

Corporations
Application for Authority to transact business in Arizona - $175
Articles of Incorporation for-profit - $60
Articles of Incorporation Non-profit - $40
Limited Liability Company
Application for Authority to transact business in Arizona - $175
Foreign registration statement - $150
Articles of Organization - $50

It costs $10 to reserve an LLC or corporation name. There is an annual report fee to avoid non-compliance, $45 for for-profit corporations and $10 for non-profit corporations. The ACC charges varying fees for accelerated processing services. It costs $400 for a 2-hour processing service, $200 for processing application requests before the close of the business on the same day, and $100 for next-day service.

Additional Information Available on the Arizona Corporate Commission’s Website

The following additional information is available on the ACC website.

10 Steps to Starting a Business:
Contains information on choosing a business name, purchasing a domain name for the business entity, business name availability, and obtaining tax identification numbers
Arizona Business One Stop:
Provides tools to plan and start your business in Arizona
eCorp:
Book an appointment, search for business entities, view entity documents, file and register your business
FAQs:
Frequently asked questions for business services, hearings, securities, Arizona investors, and utilities
Fees:
A list of all filing fees
Consumer Alerts:
Identify fraudulent solicitation emails, certificates of good standing, and email alerts

FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Arizona

For guidance on Arizona business entity searches, here are answers to frequently asked questions.

Why would I need to search for a business entity in Arizona?
You may need to search for a business entity in Arizona to check its legitimacy, confirm ownership, or verify its legal status.
What types of entities can I search for in Arizona?
You can search for nonprofits, corporations, LLCs, and partnership entities in Arizona.
Where can I perform a business entity search in Arizona?
You can perform business entity searches in Arizona using the ACC Database.
What information do I need to conduct an entity search in Arizona?
You need the entity name, statutory agent name, principal name, or entity ID, to conduct an entity search in Arizona.
How do I find the official name of an Arizona business?
You can find the official name of an Arizona business using the ACC Database.
Can I search for foreign entities in Arizona?
Yes. The ACC database provides information on foreign entities domiciled outside Arizona but conducting business in the state.
What information can I find in the Arizona entity search?
You can find the business name, address, entity ID number, entity type, business status, formation date, reason for status, approval date, annual report date, statutory agent information, and principal information on an Arizona entity search.
How do I verify if an Arizona business is in good standing?
You can verify if an Arizona business is in good standing using the ACC Database. The platform provides information on the business standing of all registered businesses.
Can I search for an entity in Arizona by its owner's name?
Yes. You can use the ACC Database to search for an entity in Arizona by its owner's name.
How often is the Arizona business entity database updated?
The Arizona Corporation Commission regularly updates its business entity database.
Can I obtain copies of business filings in Arizona?
Yes. You may obtain copies of Arizona business filings from the eCorp website. Additionally, you may get certified copies of a record by submitting a Records Request Form via fax or mail to the ACC Records Section.
How do I find out who the registered agent of an Arizona business is?
You can find out who the registered agent of an Arizona business is by searching the ACC Database.
How can I search for Arizona businesses by their tax ID number?
Currently, you cannot search for Arizona businesses using their tax ID number on the ACC database.
What should I do if I can’t find a business entity in the Arizona search?
Ensure that you have the right business name. Double-check the spelling of the entity name. Also, try alternate spellings or variations of the name if unsure of the exact spellings. You can also use the search filters on the ACC search tool to refine your search.