Arizona Business Entity Search: How to Use It (2026)
You search Arizona businesses for free through the Arizona Corporation Commission's eCorp system at ecorp.azcc.gov. Open Entity Search to look up any LLC or corporation by name, entity ID, statutory agent, or principal, and to see its status, formation date, and filed documents. There is no account or fee to search.
Quick Answer
- Where
- ACC eCorp Entity Search - ecorp.azcc.gov
- Agency
- Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC)
- Cost
- Free to search and view records
- Covers
- LLCs and corporations registered with the ACC
- Search by
- Entity name, entity ID, statutory agent, or principal
- Not covered
- Trade names & trademarks (Arizona Secretary of State)
What the Arizona Business Entity Search Is
The Arizona business entity search is the public lookup for companies registered with the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), the agency that maintains the record of LLCs and corporations in the state. The search lives inside the ACC's online filing platform, eCorp, at ecorp.azcc.gov. Anyone can use it - no login and no fee - to confirm that a company is registered, read its official details, and open the documents it has filed.
People use the entity search for several reasons: to check whether a proposed LLC name is available before filing Articles of Organization; to verify that a vendor, client, or landlord is a real, active Arizona entity; to find a company's statutory agent for service of process; and to pull the formation date, entity ID, and history of filings. Because the database is the state's official record, it is the authoritative first stop before you form, contract with, or research an Arizona business.
The database is also a due-diligence tool. Before you sign a lease, extend credit, or partner with an Arizona company, the entity search lets you confirm the business is real, see when it was formed, and check that it is currently in good standing rather than dissolved or revoked. Because the record shows the statutory agent and principal address, it also tells you where the company can legally be served and who stands behind it. Lenders, title companies, and other states often ask for a Certificate of Good Standing pulled from this same record, so knowing how to read it saves time on almost any Arizona business transaction.
How to Search the ACC Database, Step by Step
The search takes under a minute. Follow these steps in eCorp.
- Open the ACC eCorp entity search. Go to ecorp.azcc.gov and choose Entity Search. You do not need an account to search, though you do need one to file documents.
- Choose a search type. You can search by entity name, entity ID (the ACC file number), statutory agent, or principal (a member, manager, officer, or director). For names, a partial term with a "contains" or "starts with" option surfaces similar records.
- Open the entity record. Click a result to see the entity's status, entity type, formation date, statutory agent and address, principal address, and document history. This is the official ACC record.
- Check status and documents. Confirm the entity is Active and in Good Standing, open any filed document image, and - if you need proof for a bank, lender, or another state - order a Certificate of Good Standing for the ACC's fee.
If you are forming your own LLC, run a name search here first, then reserve or file the name through the same eCorp system. See how to form an LLC in Arizona.
What You Can Search By
The ACC entity search supports several lookup fields, each useful for a different task:
| Search by | Use it to |
|---|---|
| Entity name | Check name availability or find a specific company |
| Entity ID (file number) | Pull an exact record when you know the ACC number |
| Statutory agent | Find every entity a given agent represents |
| Principal | Find companies tied to a named member, manager, or officer |
Name searches are the most common. Try both exact and partial spellings, and ignore punctuation and the entity designator ("LLC," "Inc.") since Arizona compares the distinctive part of the name. If your desired name returns an identical or near-identical match, you likely need a different name.
Each search field answers a different question. A name search answers "does this company exist, and is my name free?" An entity ID search jumps straight to one record when you already have the ACC file number from a contract or filing. A statutory agent search reveals the portfolio of entities a professional agent serves, which is useful when you are comparing agent services or tracing related companies. A principal search links a person to the entities they help run, which supports background checks and conflict-of-interest reviews. Combining searches - for example, confirming a name and then checking the principals behind it - gives a fuller picture than any single lookup.
Reading Entity Status and Good Standing
Each record shows a status that tells you whether the entity is compliant. Common values include:
- Active - the entity exists and is on the ACC record.
- Good Standing - the entity has met ACC requirements and has no outstanding compliance problems.
- Administratively Dissolved / Revoked - the ACC ended the entity's status, often for a compliance failure; it must be reinstated to operate normally.
- Pending - a filing is in process and not yet approved.
For a corporation, "Good Standing" reflects that its annual report is current; because Arizona LLCs do not file an annual report, an LLC's standing turns instead on keeping a valid statutory agent and correct records. Always confirm both the status and the current statutory agent before you rely on an entity.
Checking LLC Name Availability Before You File
Arizona law requires an LLC name to be distinguishable on the ACC record from existing names - see A.R.S. §29-3112. The entity search is how you test that in advance. Search the exact name you want; if the ACC already lists an entity with the same name, or a name a filing clerk would not treat as distinguishable, you will need to adjust yours. Minor differences like added punctuation, spacing, or the required designator usually do not make a name distinguishable, so a genuinely different distinctive word is safest.
A clear search is a good sign but not a guarantee: the ACC makes the final availability decision when you file the Articles of Organization. If you are not ready to file, you can reserve an available name for a limited period through eCorp for the ACC's fee. Also confirm the name does not conflict with a federal trademark, which is a separate legal issue from state name availability.
Statutory Agent and Document Lookups
Every entity record lists the current statutory agent and address. This is how you find where to send service of process, and you can search by agent name to see every entity a commercial agent represents - useful diligence when evaluating an agent service. The record also links the entity's document history: the Articles of Organization, any amendments, statutory agent changes, and, for corporations, annual reports. You can open document images directly, and order certified copies or a Certificate of Good Standing for the ACC's fee when a bank, lender, or another state requires official proof. See Arizona statutory agent requirements for what the role involves.
Trade Names, Trademarks, and TPT - Different Databases
The ACC entity search only covers LLCs and corporations. Several related Arizona records live elsewhere:
- Trade names and trademarks are registered with and searched through the Arizona Secretary of State, not the ACC. Use it to check a DBA or a state trademark.
- Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) licenses are issued by the Arizona Department of Revenue; TPT status is not shown in eCorp.
- Local business licenses are held at the city or county level - see business licenses in Arizona.
Knowing which agency holds which record saves time: for the legal entity, use the ACC; for names and brands, use the Secretary of State; for taxes, use the Department of Revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I search Arizona business entities?
Use the ACC eCorp system at ecorp.azcc.gov and open Entity Search. It covers LLCs and corporations registered with the ACC and is free with no account.
Is the Arizona business entity search free?
Yes. Searching and viewing records is free. Ordering certified copies or a Certificate of Good Standing carries a fee set by the Commission.
How do I check if an Arizona LLC name is available?
Search the proposed name in eCorp. If no existing entity has the same or a non-distinguishable name, it is likely available; the ACC decides finally when you file your Articles of Organization.
What does Active or Good Standing mean in the search?
Active means the entity is on the ACC record; Good Standing means it has met ACC requirements. Statuses like Administratively Dissolved mean the entity has a compliance problem.
Can I find an Arizona LLC's statutory agent in the search?
Yes. Each record lists the current statutory agent and address, and you can search by agent to find all entities an agent represents.
Does the ACC search include trade names and trademarks?
No. Those are registered with the Arizona Secretary of State, a separate agency. The ACC covers LLCs and corporations.
Related
- How to form an LLC (cluster hub)
- How to form an LLC in Arizona
- Arizona Articles of Organization
- Arizona statutory agent requirements
- How much does an Arizona LLC cost?
- Arizona annual report (why LLCs are exempt)
- Business licenses in Arizona
- Florida business entity search (sibling)
Sources
- Arizona Corporation Commission - eCorp Entity Search and online filing.
- Arizona Corporation Commission - Corporations Division (records, statuses, filings).
- Arizona Corporation Commission - Entity Search instructions.
- Arizona Corporation Commission - Certificate of Good Standing (official proof of status, fee).
- Arizona Corporation Commission - Filing Fees (copies and certificates).
- Arizona Corporation Commission - Business Services FAQs (LLC vs corporation reporting).
- Arizona State Legislature - A.R.S. §29-3112, Name (distinguishability).
- Arizona State Legislature - A.R.S. §29-3115, Statutory agent.
- Arizona State Legislature - A.R.S. Title 29, Partnership and Limited Liability Company Act.
- Arizona Secretary of State - Trade Names and Trademarks (separate database).
- Arizona Department of Revenue - Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT) (license status held by DOR).
- IRS - Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN, separate from state search).
LegalGlass provides general information for educational purposes and is not a law firm or a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney or tax professional. Laws, fees, and records change; verify current information with the Arizona Corporation Commission before relying on it.