Idaho Secretary of State

Idaho Secretary of State

The Idaho Secretary of State (SOS) is one of the state's constitutional officers. The official is responsible for elections, maintains corporate and other business records, and is the state's chief archivist and library administrator.

The database of the Idaho Secretary of State can also be used to find information about any company or entity in ID or anywhere in the U.S. You will only need to run a lookup on the website of the territory where that corporation is registered.

How to Conduct a Business Entity Search in Idaho?

As mentioned above, the easiest way is to run a lookup. To do so, you have to complete some basic steps online:  

  • First of all, you need to go to the ID SOS website.

  • Later, click on the "Business" tab, which is located at the top of the page. 

  • Follow the "Business Search" link.

  • Here you will need to enter either your business name or identification number. 

  • In some cases, the Idaho Secretary of State business entity search is available by filling in the filing type, status, or date and narrowing the results.  

After you have completed the above-mentioned steps, the website will grant you access to information such as firm name, identification number, status, and filing history.  

Alternatively, if this option doesn’t work for you, you can choose either to visit the office in person or contact the office via phone or email. 

What Info Can I Get With Business Search? 

Typically, an Idaho Secretary of State entity search will provide you with the following data:  

  • Business name: Secretary of State Idaho will provide you with access to the company's official name (as it is registered in the database).

  • Identification number: You will get the entity’s unique identification number.

  • Status: The status of the company is also shown on the results page.

  • Filing history: Details about previous filings and documents submitted by the firm, such as articles of incorporation or annual reports.  

The results also include information about the management structure of the company, such as the names and addresses of its officers and directors. Moreover, additional info such as firm type, date of incorporation, and the expiration date is also available. 

Naming Your Company in Idaho  

The registration of your entity in ID may result in some rules and regs with which you must comply. The first and most important thing to consider is the company’s name compliance. As the SOS mentions, the name of your firm must meet the following criteria:  

  • First of all, it must be distinguishable and unique and mustn’t be used by other companies.

  • It should not contain restricted words such as “university”, or “bank”, etc. unless you have the required documentation.

  • Depending on the type of entity you are forming, the name of your firm must include specific designators like "LLC", "Corp", "Inc", or "Company".

  • Take into account that any offensive or misleading words result in the refusal of the registration. 

  • Finally, you must register a trading name separately if you intend to use one that differs from the official name of your organization.  

So, do you meet all these criteria? Then, it’s time to lookup for availability. In this case, the Idaho Secretary of State business search comes as a helpful tool. You can check if the name you want to use is available by simply running a quick lookup, and then you can send the application supporting documents to the local office.  

Additionally, by submitting a Name Reservation application to the ID SOS, you can reserve a name for your LLC. The reservation period is 120 days, during which you can handle the required documentation.

How to Search by Business City?

You can use the Idaho Secretary of State's (SOS) website to look for businesses by city by doing the following steps: 

  • Enter the SOS Business Search page 

  • Underneath "Search Criteria," select "City" 

  • Enter the name of the city you want to search in the "City" field

  • You may also enter the business name or its ID number (if known) in the "Business Name/ID" field.  

  • Click on "Search".

What's the Purpose of Looking Up an LLC in Idaho?

To find out specifics about a company, like its registered agent, mailing location, etc., you can check up on an LLC in the state. For a number of purposes, such as confirming the validity of the business or figuring out its legal standing, this information may be helpful. 

The online company lookup tool can be used to check up on an LLC in the state.

Idaho LLC Look Up

Secretary of State Idaho business search is also available for LLCs. Currently, when running a lookup for LLC, you can find information such as  

  • LLC Filing Type: This includes articles of organization or an annual report.

  • The current status of the LLC, such as active or dissolved

  • Dates of formation and termination of the LLC (if applicable)

  • The mailing address, physical location, and principal office address of the LLC

  • The registered agent's name and address, which is the person or organization chosen to accept legal documents on the LLC's behalf.

  • Initial Filing Date: That is the day it was first registered by SOS.  

Please keep in mind that not all of the above information is public and that the information available varies depending on the type of firm entity.

How to Search by Organizational ID/Filing Number?

Visit the Business Entity Search page of the SOS website and choose "Business Name/ID" from the drop-down menu to look up a company, using its organizational ID or filing number. 

Click on "Search" after entering the filing number or organizational ID. This should provide you with a list of registered companies that meet your search criteria.

How to Search by Registered Agent Information?

You can look up registered agent information by following these steps:  

  • Enter the Business Entity Search page.

  • Under "Search Criteria," select "Registered Agent".

  • Enter the name of the registered agent in the "Registered Agent" field.

  • Click on "Search".

Do I Need to Register My Out-of-state Business in Idaho?

If your out-of-state enterprise is doing business in ID, you may need to register with the SOS. This is typically required if your company has a physical presence, such as an office, store, or warehouse. 

Additionally, if your company is selling goods or services in the state, you may need to register for a sales tax permit with the ID State Tax Commission. 

It is best to consult with an attorney or accountant to determine whether you need to complete registration with the state.  

How to Search by Date of Organization/Authorization?

Go to the Idaho Secretary of State's Business Entity Lookup page and choose "Business Name/ID" from the drop-down menu. Choose "Date of Organization/Authorization" under "Advanced Search Criteria" and enter the desired date range in the "From" and "To" sections.

Contact Information

ID Secretary of State

800 Park Boulevard, Suite 205

Boise, ID 83712  

Phone: (208) 334-2301

Email: [email protected]  

The SOS office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mountain Time. 

Mary T

Mary T

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