How to Find a Florida Corporation: A Guide to Using Sunbiz.org

John C Bucher

March 19, 2024

Business Broker

Introduction

If you’re looking to verify a Florida corporation, research business information, or confirm the status of a company, the Sunbiz website (Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations) is the official database you’ll need. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, attorney, or simply a consumer wanting to double-check the legitimacy of a business, knowing how to find a Florida corporation on Sunbiz is essential.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Florida’s corporation search, including:

What the Sunbiz system is and why it matters.
Step-by-step instructions on performing a Florida corporation search.
Different ways to look up businesses (by name, registered agent, officers, and more).
Practical uses of Sunbiz records for entrepreneurs, investors, and the public.
FAQs, tips, and compliance insights for 2025.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to confidently find any Florida corporation and use that information to make informed decisions.

What Is Sunbiz?

Sunbiz.org is the official website of the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations. It serves as the central filing office for businesses operating in Florida.

Key Functions of Sunbiz:

Business Entity Search: Find corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and fictitious names.
Filing Services: Register a new business, file annual reports, and update records.
Official Records: Access legal documents like Articles of Incorporation, annual reports, and amendments.
Transparency & Compliance: Helps the public, investors, and authorities verify businesses.

In short, Sunbiz is both a business registry and a compliance tool that ensures accountability in Florida’s business ecosystem.

Why You Might Need to Find a Florida Corporation

Different people use the Sunbiz system for different purposes. Here are the most common scenarios:

1. Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

Checking if a desired business name is available before registering a new company.
Researching competitors’ corporate structures.
Confirming if suppliers or clients are properly registered.

2. Consumers

Verifying if a company is legitimate before doing business with them.
Looking up a business’s history, registered agent, or legal representatives.

3. Attorneys and Legal Professionals

Reviewing corporate filings during lawsuits or mergers.
Accessing historical documents for due diligence.

4. Investors and Brokers

Evaluating the credibility of companies before investing.
Checking compliance history, annual report status, or dissolution records.

5. Job Seekers

Confirming if a potential employer is registered and active.

In short: finding a Florida corporation is often the first step in verifying legitimacy, compliance, and trustworthiness.

Step-by-Step: How to Find a Florida Corporation on Sunbiz

The most common way to find a corporation is through the Sunbiz Entity Search Tool. Here’s how:

Step 1: Visit the Official Website

Go to Sunbiz.org.
On the homepage, locate “Search Records” under the Department of State, Division of Corporations section.

Step 2: Choose the Type of Search

You’ll see different search options. The most relevant for corporations are:

Corporation/LLC Search by Name
Search by Officer/Registered Agent
Search by Document Number
Trademark/Fictitious Name Search

Step 3: Enter the Information

If searching by company name, enter the full or partial name.
If unsure, use a keyword search (e.g., “Miami Plumbing” instead of “Miami Plumbing Inc.”).

Step 4: Review Search Results

The results will list all matching businesses.
Check the entity status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved).
Look for the document number, which is unique to each entity.

Step 5: Access Detailed Records

Click on the corporation name to open its profile.
You’ll see:
- Principal address
- Mailing address
- Registered agent information
- Filing history (annual reports, amendments, etc.)
- Officers/directors’ details
- Document images (if available)

Types of Searches on Sunbiz

Depending on what information you need, Sunbiz offers several ways to find corporations:

1. Search by Entity Name

Best for when you know the business name.
Useful for consumers, job seekers, and competitors.

2. Search by Officer/Director/Registered Agent

Enter an individual’s name to see all businesses they are associated with.
Useful for attorneys, investors, and investigators.

3. Search by Document Number

Every entity has a unique ID.
This is the fastest way if you already have the document number.

4. Search by Trademark or Fictitious Name (DBA)

If a company operates under a different name, you can look it up here.
Helpful for brand protection and consumer checks.

What You Can Learn from a Florida Corporation Search

When you look up a business on Sunbiz, you’ll find detailed records, including:

Entity Name & Type: Corporation, LLC, partnership, etc.
Status: Active, inactive, dissolved.
Date of Filing: When the company was created.
Principal Office & Mailing Address
Registered Agent: The official representative who receives legal documents.
Officer/Director Information: Names of key people involved.
Annual Reports: Filed each year to keep the entity in good standing.
Amendments & Dissolutions: Historical changes to the company.
Document Images: Scanned copies of official filings.

This information can help you verify credibility, track ownership, or identify compliance issues.

Benefits of Using Sunbiz for Florida Corporation Search

Free and Official – Unlike paid databases, Sunbiz is the official government source.
Transparency – Promotes trust between businesses and the public.
Up-to-Date Records – Companies must update annually, ensuring accuracy.
Legal Verification – Essential for contracts, lawsuits, or compliance checks.
Business Intelligence – Competitor and market research made easy.

Common Mistakes When Searching for a Florida Corporation

Spelling Errors – Even minor typos can yield no results.
Using Abbreviations – Try both “Inc.” and “Incorporated.”
Not Checking Status – A business might appear but be inactive.
Overlooking Registered Agent Info – This is often the key contact point.
Assuming One Result Means One Business – Some names are similar; check addresses and officers to confirm.

How Florida Corporation Search Helps Different Users

For Entrepreneurs

Check if your desired business name is available.
Study competitors’ structures.
Ensure suppliers/partners are legitimate.

For Investors

Verify active status before investing.
Analyze compliance history.
Confirm ownership and control.

For Consumers

Avoid scams by verifying legitimacy.
Check if a contractor or service provider is properly registered.

For Legal Professionals

Use filings as evidence in disputes.
Confirm corporate standing before lawsuits.

Florida Business Compliance: Annual Reports & More

Finding a corporation is just the first step. Every Florida business must also comply with filing requirements.

Annual Reports

Due by May 1st each year.
Filed to maintain “Active” status.
Late filings incur penalties.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

“Inactive” or “Administrative Dissolution” status.
Loss of limited liability protection.
Inability to legally operate in Florida.

When you search a corporation, always check if their annual report is up to date.

Sunbiz Search Alternatives

While Sunbiz is the official source, sometimes you may want additional insights. Alternatives include:

Third-party business databases (e.g., Dun & Bradstreet, ZoomInfo).
County Clerk or Court Records for lawsuits and liens.
LinkedIn and company websites for more context.

However, Sunbiz remains the most authoritative source for official records.

Example: Searching for a Florida Corporation

Let’s say you want to look up “Miami Coffee Roasters, Inc.”

Go to Sunbiz.org → Search Records.
Enter “Miami Coffee Roasters.”
Review results. Suppose you see:

Business Name	Document Number	Status	Filed
Miami Coffee Roasters, Inc.	P2100001234	Active	01/15/2021

Click the name → Access details like registered agent, officer names, and annual reports.

This example shows how easy it is to confirm legitimacy.

FAQs: Florida Corporation Search

Q1. Is Sunbiz the only official way to verify a Florida corporation?
Yes, Sunbiz is the official state-run database. Third-party databases may provide extra insights, but Sunbiz is the authority.

Q2. Can I download copies of documents from Sunbiz?
Yes. Many filings and annual reports are available as PDFs.

Q3. What if I can’t find a business on Sunbiz?

Double-check spelling.
Try searching by officer/agent.
The business may not be registered in Florida.

Q4. Is there a fee to search for corporations?
No, basic searches are free. Some document copies may have a small fee.

Q5. Can Sunbiz tell me if a corporation is in good financial standing?
No. Sunbiz only shows compliance status (e.g., annual reports). For financials, you need other sources.

Conclusion

The Sunbiz Florida corporation search is an essential tool for anyone doing business in Florida. Whether you’re an entrepreneur checking name availability, a consumer verifying legitimacy, or an investor conducting due diligence, Sunbiz provides free, accurate, and up-to-date corporate records.

By learning how to effectively use the Sunbiz database, you gain transparency, reduce risks, and make smarter business decisions.

👉 Pro tip: Always check the entity status and annual report filings to ensure a corporation is in good standing before engaging in business with them.

With this guide, you’re now fully equipped to find, analyze, and understand Florida corporations in 2025 and beyond.

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