How to search Alabama business entities online
Updated August 2026
Quick Answer
Alabama's business search runs through arc-sos.state.al.us, linked from sos.alabama.gov. Search by entity name, entity number, or officer/registered agent name — no account needed — and open a result to see the registered agent, filed documents, and current status. Each search form on arc-sos.state.al.us displays a live notice showing the date through which filings have been completed — a rolling indicator of how current the index is before you search.
- Go to the Alabama business search at arc-sos.state.al.us (linked from sos.alabama.gov).
- Search by entity name, entity number, or officer/registered agent name.
- Open a result to see its status, registered agent, and filed documents.
Fraud warning: verify filings you didn't make
The Alabama Secretary of State's Office has reported complaints about potentially fraudulent business filings made using its system. The office is not authorized under state law to investigate business fraud or provide legal advice to affected businesses or individuals — if a search turns up a filing you don't recognize, report it through the office's dedicated reporting form at sos.alabama.gov/reporting-business-entity-fraud rather than contacting the SOS directly for an investigation.
Four ways to search
The search system offers four distinct modes, each accessed through a separate URL on the arc-sos.state.al.us domain:
- By entity name — keyword match against the registered business name
- By entity number — precise lookup using the Alabama-assigned ID
- By officer, agent, or incorporator — finds entities connected to a specific individual
- By name reservation or registration ID — locates reserved or registered names
Most searches start with the name mode. The number search is useful when you have the entity ID from a filed document or a previous search result — it returns a single matching record.
Entity types covered
The database covers a broader set of entity types than most state registries — the Type filter on the name-search form lists over 50 options. Domestic categories include business corporations, benefit corporations, public corporations, corporations sole, general partnerships, limited liability companies, series LLCs, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, homeowners associations, unincorporated associations, Delaware statutory trusts, employee cooperative corporations, real estate investment trusts, professional corporations, professional LLCs, professional associations, and nonprofit equivalents of most of these. Foreign registrations of nearly every domestic type are also searchable, plus a foreign-only insurance corporation category. Name reservations and registered names appear in results as well.
The entity ID format change
Alabama converted entity IDs from a 6-digit to a 9-digit format. Legacy 6-digit IDs now display with three leading zeros prepended — so entity 123456 shows as 000123456. This is a display change only; no action is required from filers, and the underlying record is the same. When searching by entity number, enter the full 9-digit string including the leading zeros.
Status filters and search refinements
The name search form includes a Status dropdown with more options than most states offer. Beyond "All Records," you can filter to Exists (active), Cancelled, Consolidated, Dissolved, Merged, Revoked, Withdrawn, or limit results to Registered Names, Name Reservations, or Previous Names only. A Place of Formation filter narrows by county (all 67 Alabama counties are listed), state, or foreign country, and a Principal City field further refines results.
Reading search results
Results show the entity name, entity number, entity type, and current status. Selecting an entity name opens the detail record, which shows the registered agent, principal office address, officers or organizers depending on entity type, and links to filed documents.
Accessing filed documents and copies
Filed documents are viewable through the search system at no charge. Paper copies can be ordered by mail using the Document Copy Request form available from the SOS website. Fee structure from the official schedule: $2.00 per page for copies of documents, and $10.00 flat for certification of documents bearing the Secretary of State's seal. A separate Certificate of Existence — Alabama's version of a certificate of good standing, often requested by banks or lending partners — costs $25.00 and can be ordered directly through the online portal at alabamainteractive.org/sos rather than by mail.
Historical records before 2011
Corporation records from 1949 through 2010 are archived with the Alabama Department of Archives and History rather than the main SOS search system. To obtain copies of pre-2011 records, contact the Archives directly at archives.alabama.gov. The SOS system covers records from 2011 forward for entities formed or registered in that period, and maintains current records for all active entities regardless of original formation date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I search using an old 6-digit Alabama entity number?
Enter it with three leading zeros — Alabama converted entity IDs to a 9-digit format, so a legacy number like 123456 now displays as 000123456. It's a display change only; the underlying record hasn't moved.
Can I search Alabama business records from before 2011 online?
No — corporation records from 1949 through 2010 are archived with the Alabama Department of Archives and History rather than the SOS's current search system. Contact the Archives directly for copies of pre-2011 filings.
What should I do if I find an Alabama business filing I don't recognize?
Report it through the SOS's dedicated reporting form at sos.alabama.gov/reporting-business-entity-fraud. The office isn't authorized to investigate business fraud directly, so this is the correct first step rather than contacting the SOS for an investigation.