How to Find LLC Owners

1. Search State Databases

LLCs submit articles of organization and other public filings with the state’s Secretary of State office or a comparable state agency. Because these documents often require members to be listed, a state business database where you can do a business name search is a great place to start.

We’ve put together a list of links to every state’s business name search tool to help you narrow down where to start your search. You’ll usually be able to find a searchable database by doing the following:

• Visit the Secretary of State’s Website. Look for the “Business” tab on the website’s navigation. Not all Secretary of State websites are the same. Sometimes this page will be listed as “Search Businesses,” “Business Entity,” or even just “Corporation.”
• Search for the LLC’s Name. Once you’ve located the website’s business search, enter the name of the LLC you’re looking for and search. If you find multiple business entities with similar names, find the one with “LLC” in its name.
• Access State Documents. After you’ve found the right business, you’ll be able to access the LLC’s articles of organization, as well as any amendments or reports. When searching, look at the documents that are the most current. The owners of the LLC will have the title of “member.”

If while searching you find only the titles of “registered agent” or “manager,” it’s important to note that these are not necessarily the titles of owners. While owners can be their own registered agent and, in some circumstances, a manager of the LLC, this is not always the case.

2. Submit a Public Information Request

You can often submit an information request form through the Secretary of State’s website. This request might be called “Public Records Disclosure” or something along those lines, and while most states allow you to submit your request electronically, you might have to submit your request via snail mail. Either way, it might take a few weeks to get a response, but generally, that response will indicate the names of that LLC’s owners.

Again, though, some states will provide you very limited information. Also, copying fees may apply in some states—like Washington and Nevada, to name a couple—unless you request an appointment to review the records in-person.

3. Check the Company Website

This might seem obvious enough, but if searching the Secretary of State’s database leaves you empty-handed, you can sometimes pinpoint the owners by checking the site’s “About Us” page or sifting through the personnel directory.

Note that some LLCs might use officer titles, making it difficult to distinguish between the actual owners and any managers who, though not owners, still oversee operations. If you have a name of a potential member, you may have some luck reviewing the individual’s business social media, such as their LinkedIn profile, for more details. And if you’re willing to reach out, you might contact the company directly and ask for the information.

4. Dig into Alternative Public Records

If all else fails and you don’t mind digging a little deeper, there are alternative public records that can point you in the direction of the LLC owner. If that LLC has borrowed money or sold property, then there will likely be a deed or deed of trust. Those tend to be public record, and you can find them through the county recorder’s office. If the county does not publish this information on the web, you can usually go directly to the county clerk in person and request to view a copy of property records.

Look through the records and try to locate a representative’s signature—you’ll usually find a name and title below the signature. Or you can check the notary’s acknowledgment if the printed name and title are illegible. You might just end up finding a lawyer or a manager signing on behalf of the LLC, but quite often you’ll stumble upon an owner’s name.