The Illinois Secretary of State operates a business entity search tool, which is available for public use. Individuals may use this tool to look up an Illinois business’s official public information and means of contact. This will include registered agent information for the Illinois entity in question.
Business Entity Search
1. Visit the Illinois Secretary of State Business Entity Search Page
This page provides the option of running one of several types of queries. Choose one of the radio buttons presented to define the search criteria. The query can search the state’s database for an entity’s name, registered agent, president, secretary, manager, or file number, as well as a keyword or partial keyword. Select only one radio button to perform the search, then, in the text box, type in what the query must search for. Once done, click on the “Search” button.
3. Review The Results
Look over the search results that display. This page features a table of entities that match the specified criteria. Columns define each entity by showing each entity’s file number, type, status, registered effective date, and registered agent. Select the desired record either by clicking on the entity’s name with the mouse or, if on a mobile device, swiping to the left or right.
4. View Entity Details
Look over the details available on the page the browser accesses. Here, the entity’s information is laid out:
- Entity Name
- Principal Address
- File Number and Status
- Entity Type and Type of LLC (in this example)
- Org Date/Admission Date and Jurisdiction
- Duration
- Annual Report Filing Date and Annual Report Year
- Agent Information and Agent Change Date
Along the bottom, several tabs are available for further investigation. Select the appropriate tab to view the desired subject matter. Notice that the first tab is open by default and provides a list of the available services the state offers.
Select the second tab labeled “Manager” (or “Officer” if investigating a corporation) to view each entity manager’s (or officer’s) title, name, and address.
Choose the third tab to view the previous names of the business entity.
To view any assumed names the entity has operated under (or currently does), choose the fourth tab to see each such name as well as its current status.
If the entity has released stocks, the series information can be reviewed through the fifth tab.
Finally, to review the entity’s previous filings, including their dates, use the mouse button to select the last tab on the right.
