How to search Arkansas business entities online
Updated August 2026
Quick Answer
Arkansas's entity search is at sos.arkansas.gov/corps/search_all.php, run by the Secretary of State's Business and Commercial Services Division. Search by entity name, filing number, or registered agent name and city/state — at least one field is required — and results list alphabetically by name. The sos.arkansas.gov address forwards to the live search tool at sos-corp-search.ark.org, so don't be surprised if the URL changes after you land on the page.
- Go to sos.arkansas.gov/corps/search_all.php.
- Enter the entity name, filing number, or registered agent name/location.
- Review the alphabetical results for the entity's type and status.
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, benefit corporations, and foreign business trusts. Public water authorities, video service providers, and international student exchange visitor placement organizations each have their own category too. 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 inputs: entity type, entity name (or fictitious name), filing number (the BCS-assigned ID), registered agent name, and registered agent city or state. 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
Due to filing volume, BCS estimates 3–5 business days to process mailed, dropped-off, and online filings alike — there is no faster track for walk-in submissions. 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 $25.00, and the downloaded certificate remains available for two weeks after purchase. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
If a business name shows as "Active" in Arkansas's search, does that mean a similar name is unavailable?
Not necessarily. Arkansas's entity search isn't a name reservation system — an "Active" result doesn't automatically block a similar name. The Business and Commercial Services Division makes the official availability determination only when a formation document is actually submitted.
How long does Arkansas take to process a new business filing?
About 3–5 business days, whether the filing is mailed, dropped off, or submitted online — there's no faster track for walk-ins. The filing's effective date is the date BCS receives it, not the date you submit it, unless a later effective date is specified in the document.
How can I tell if an Arkansas business is behind on its franchise tax?
Arkansas's entity search marks entities as delinquent if they fail to file their annual franchise tax on time. All registered domestic and foreign corporations and LLCs owe this tax, filed through the state's franchise tax portal, not a separate agency.