How to search Arkansas business entities online

Arkansas business entity records are searchable at sos.arkansas.gov/corps/search_all.php, which forwards to the live search tool at sos-corp-search.ark.org. The portal is operated by the Business and Commercial Services (BCS) Division of the Arkansas Secretary of State.

What the search covers

The database holds a wide range of entity types: domestic and foreign for-profit corporations (under both the current code and pre-1987 law), nonprofits, LLCs, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability limited partnerships, series LLCs, cooperative corporations, banks, insurance companies, and benefit corporations. Unincorporated nonprofit associations and name reservations are searchable as well. A Type dropdown on the search form lets you narrow to any single category.

How to search

The search form accepts any combination of three inputs: entity name, filing number (the BCS-assigned ID), and registered agent name. At least one field must be filled; all others are optional. Enter the most distinctive portion of the business name rather than the full legal name to avoid exact-match misses. Results appear alphabetically by entity name.

Name availability: the search is not a name reservation system. A name appearing in results as "Active" does not mean a similar name is automatically blocked; BCS makes the official availability determination when a formation document is submitted.

Filing turnaround and effective dates

As of May 2026, BCS is processing mailed, dropped-off, and online filings in 3–5 business days due to volume. Walk-in drop-off turnaround is approximately 48 hours. The effective date of any filing is the date BCS receives the document, not the date the filer submits it — unless a post-effective date is specified within the document itself.

Certificates of good standing

Certificates of good standing (Certificates of Existence or Authorization) are ordered at ark.org/sos/good_standing/index.php. The fee is $15.00. The certificate confirms whether the entity is in good standing with the BCS Division.

Bulk data and specialty tools

The BCS portal also provides access to bulk entity data downloads at arkansas.gov/services/bulk-data and a Special Request List Builder at ark.org/sos/special/index.php — useful for generating targeted entity lists by status, type, county, or other parameters.

Annual franchise tax — all entities

Arkansas imposes an annual franchise tax on all registered domestic and foreign corporations and LLCs. This is filed with the SOS (not a separate tax agency) through the franchise tax portal at sos-franchise.ark.org. Entities that fail to file on time are marked as delinquent in the entity search. Verify the current franchise tax rate and filing deadline through the franchise portal — rates are variable and calculated based on authorized shares or net assets.

This guide is informational only and is not affiliated with the Arkansas Secretary of State's office. Verify current procedures at sos.arkansas.gov — BCS. Source: Arkansas Secretary of State Business and Commercial Services Division, verified May 2026.