How To Search Iowa Business Entities
- How To Search Iowa Business Entities
- How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Iowa?
- Why Conduct a Iowa Entity Search?
- Who Holds Data for Iowa Business Entity Search?
- What Entities Can You Register in Iowa?
- How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Iowa?
- How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Iowa?
- How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Iowa?
- Additional Information Available on the Iowa Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website
- FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Iowa
More than 30,000 new business entities, including non-profit organizations, corporations, and LLCs, are registered in Iowa annually. The Iowa Secretary of State’s website is generally the best source for the most up-to-date information about Iowa business entities.
Whether you are conducting due diligence, confirming a business’s legitimacy, or vetting a potential partner, finding detailed information about corporations and business entities in Iowa is relatively straightforward.
Choose Your Search Criteria
You can normally search by business name or business number:
Business NameEnter the full or partial name of the business.
Business NumberIf available, enter the unique business number assigned by the Secretary of State.
Review Search Results
After entering your search criteria, click the “search” button to view a list of matching entities. In addition to the entity name, the search results will display the entity’s business number and status. Clicking on a specific business number provides more detailed information about the entity.
Further Assistance
If you need help performing your business entity search, you may contact the Iowa Secretary of State’s office.
How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Iowa?
A simple online search may lead you to a business's website, which often provides information about its public-facing directors and executives. However, this information usually fails to depict the company's ownership accurately. For comprehensive details about the ownership of a business entity in Iowa, you may need to access governmental records or other public databases.
Start by visiting the Iowa Secretary of State’s business entities search page. This page generally offers important information about registered business entities in Iowa and often includes the names of listed owners or officers. By following the outlined steps, you may be able to find the information you need.
Additional local resources that may help you identify local business owners include:
Additional Resources for Business Ownership Info
Chambers of CommerceLocal chambers of commerce often maintain public directories of members, which sometimes include ownership details.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)The BBB sometimes publishes business profiles, including company ownership, as well as customer reviews and complaints.
Other Public RecordsBusiness licenses, real estate records, and court documents involving the business entity may reveal ownership.
Why Conduct an Iowa Entity Search?
Individuals or businesses looking to verify a company’s transparency and trustworthiness before engaging in a professional relationship typically rely on entity searches in Iowa.
Investors often conduct entity searches to learn more about a business's ownership before making investment decisions.
Iowa entity searches can help confirm the legitimacy of suppliers or partners during procurement processes or contract negotiations.
Entity searches can help identify potential scams or fraudulent business practices by verifying registration and ownership details.
Who Holds Data for Iowa Business Entity Search?
What Entities Can You Register in Iowa?
You can register many types of business entities in Iowa. The documents you need to file upon registration depend on the type of business entity.
Sole Proprietorships are businesses owned by a single individual. If the company operates under a name other than the owner's legal name, a DBA (Doing Business As) registration is required.
In a general partnership, two or more people serve as co-owners of a for-profit business. All partners are responsible for liabilities and debts; income is reported as part of each partner’s income.
LPs have general partners who manage the business and non-managing limited partners with liability protection.
LLPs offer liability protection to all partners, regardless of management role.
In a corporation, the business entity is separate from its owners, offering limited liability protection, and is taxed independently at the corporate level.
An S corporation is a recognized business entity that provides limited liability protection. For taxation purposes, profits and losses pass through directly to shareholders.
LLCs protect business owners' liability while allowing profits and losses to be reported on personal tax returns.
Nonprofits are organizations created for public, charitable, educational, or religious purposes. They can qualify for tax-exempt status under federal and state law.
A DBA allows a business to operate under a name other than its legal or owner’s name. Sole proprietors and partnerships commonly use it.
How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Iowa?
Choosing a business entity name in Iowa requires thoughtful consideration. The name must adhere to state laws and should not currently be registered.
By selecting a unique name, you may also avoid potential copyright or trademark infringement.
While there is no single comprehensive list of business names registered in Iowa, you may be able to search multiple databases to confirm that the name you want is available. These databases include:
How Do I Set up a Business Entity in Iowa?
You may establish a business entity or corporation in Iowa by filing the appropriate documents with the Iowa Secretary of State. The office generally recognizes four distinct types, each with its own filing requirements:
- Corporations: Corporations must file Articles of Incorporation.
- Limited Liability Companies: Limited liability companies must file a Certificate of Organization.
- Non-profits: Non-profits must file Articles of Incorporation.
- Foreign entities: Out-of-state LLCs, corporations, and nonprofits must file a Certificate of Organization.
Next, you’ll need to generally follow these steps:
- Ensure that the business name you choose is available.
- File the appropriate documents with the Secretary of State.
- Report your company’s beneficial ownership information (BOI).
- Determine if you need a “Doing Business As” (DBA) certificate.
- Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
- Register with the Iowa Department of Revenue.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Iowa?
To start a business in Iowa, you must usually obtain articles of incorporation or certificates of organization. Generally, the filing fee is $50, except for nonprofits, which cost $20. Foreign entities (businesses from out of state) must pay $100. Furthermore, all business entities must typically file a biennial report with the Secretary of State’s office. The filing fee is between $30 and $45, depending on the type of business.
Additional Information Available on the Iowa Secretary of State’s Website
FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Iowa
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions and answers regarding business entity searches in Iowa.
- Why would I need to search for a business entity in Iowa?
You may need to search for a business entity in Iowa to verify its status or to confirm ownership for legal, financial, or partnership purposes.
- What types of entities can I search for in Iowa?
You can search for most registered Iowa business entities, including corporations, LLCs, LPs, non-profits, professional corporations, DBA names, and more.
- Where can I perform a business entity search in Iowa?
You may perform a business entity search in Iowa using the Secretary of State’s business entities search page or by contacting the Secretary of State’s office directly.
- What information do I need to conduct an entity search in Iowa?
To conduct an entity search in Iowa, you typically need either the business's full or partial name or its business number.
- How do I find the official name of an Iowa business?
You may find the official name of an Iowa business using the Secretary of State’s business entities search page. You may search by business name or number.
- Can I search for foreign entities in Iowa?
Yes. You may search for businesses registered as foreign entities, which are companies formed in another state but authorized to operate in Iowa.
- What information can I find in the Iowa entity search?
You can typically find details such as the entity’s status (active, inactive, or dissolved), its registered agent, filing history, ownership structure, biennial reports, and more.
- How do I verify if an Iowa business is in good standing?
The Iowa Secretary of State's online search tool generally allows you to check a business’s registration status and compliance with tax requirements.
- Can I search for an entity in Iowa by its owner’s name?
The Iowa Secretary of State's business entities search page does not generally allow searches by an owner’s name.
- How often is the Iowa business entity database updated?
The Iowa Secretary of State's database is regularly updated as businesses file new reports or update their information.
- Can I obtain copies of business filings in Iowa?
Yes, you may request and download copies of business filings, such as articles of incorporation and certificates of organization from the Iowa Secretary of State. There may be fees associated with these requests.
- How do I find out who the registered agent of an Iowa business is?
The registered agent's name and address are typically included in the business’s public filings, which can be accessed through the Iowa Secretary of State's business entities search page.
- How can I search for Iowa businesses by their tax ID number?
The Iowa Secretary of State's online search tool generally allows you to find businesses by entering their tax ID numbers in the field “business number.”
- What should I do if I can’t find a business entity in the Iowa search?
Verify the spelling of the business name or search by the entity’s business number. You may also need to check foreign entity filings to see if the business is registered in a different state or with a different name.
- How To Search Iowa Business Entities
- How To Find the Owner of a Business Entity in Iowa?
- Why Conduct a Iowa Entity Search?
- Who Holds Data for Iowa Business Entity Search?
- What Entities Can You Register in Iowa?
- How Do I Check If a Business Entity Name is Taken in Iowa?
- How Do I Set Up a Business Entity in Iowa?
- How Much Does It Cost To Start a Business In Iowa?
- Additional Information Available on the Iowa Secretary of the Commonwealth's Website
- FAQs About Business Entity Searches in Iowa