Most Arkansas business entity information, including entity name, number, and formation date, is available through the Arkansas Secretary of State's business search portal. This online database provides immediate access to the available details you need for onboarding, compliance, or business transactions.

This article will walk you through exactly how to search the Arkansas database, where to find each piece of information, and what format each data point takes in Arkansas's system.

Summary table: Finding your Arkansas entity information

How to search for Arkansas business entities

Navigate to the Arkansas Business Search portal and select your preferred search method from the available options: corporation name, fictitious name, registered agent, RA city/state, filing number, or corporation type.

While Arkansas's system supports partial matches (searching "Riverwalk" will return "Riverwalk Manufacturing LLC" and similar entities), entering your exact legal name ensures precise results. The search is literal rather than fuzzy, so correct spelling and complete terms work best.

Click on the entity name in your search results to access the detailed entity profile showing your complete filing information, including entity number, formation date, registered agent details, and filing history.

What you'll see in search results

• Legal entity name (exact spelling and punctuation)

• Entity type (LLC, Corporation, Partnership, Nonprofit Corporation, LP, LLP, etc.)

• Filing Number (Arkansas's term for entity number)

• Status (Active, Dissolved, Revoked, etc.)

• City and state information

• Principal office address

How to find your entity number in Arkansas

Your Arkansas entity number, officially called your "Filing Number," follows a numeric format and was assigned by the Arkansas Secretary of State when your entity was formed.

Where to locate your Arkansas Filing Number

1. Arkansas business search (fastest method)

• Located: Prominently displayed in search results as a clickable link

• Labeled as: "Filing Number"

• Format: Numeric string (typically 9 digits like 811226874)

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Usually at the top of the document

• May be labeled as "File Number," "Filing Number," or "Document Number"

• Stamped or printed by the Arkansas Secretary of State

3. Annual reports and state correspondence

• Appears on all official Arkansas Secretary of State documents

• Used as your account identifier for franchise tax filings

• Referenced in all state filing confirmations

Arkansas entity number format

• Format: Numeric (typically 9 digits)

• Example: 811226874

• Pattern note: Numbers are assigned sequentially; no letters, dashes, or prefixes are used in Arkansas's official filing number system

How to find your entity type in Arkansas

Arkansas recognizes multiple business entity types, listed exactly as shown in your business search results and formation documents.

Where to find your Arkansas entity type

1. Arkansas business search (most accessible)

• Displayed: In the detailed entity profile page

• Listed as: "Filing Type" or similar designation

• Shows specific classifications like "Domestic LLC," "Foreign Corporation," etc.

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• At the top of your formation document

• States the specific entity type being formed

• May reference the specific Arkansas Act under which the entity was formed

3. Annual franchise tax reports

• Listed in entity information section

• Cannot be changed without formal amendment filing

• Used to determine applicable filing requirements and fees

How to find your formation date in Arkansas

Your formation date (when the Arkansas Secretary of State officially filed and approved your business entity) appears in Arkansas business search results and on your Certificate of Formation/Incorporation.

Where your Arkansas formation date appears

1. Arkansas business search (easiest access)

• Listed as: "Date Filed" or "Filing Date"

• Location: In the detailed entity profile accessible by clicking the entity name

• Format: MM/DD/YYYY

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Top of the document, usually stamped or printed

• May say "Filed on [date]" with Arkansas Secretary of State seal

• Sometimes includes both filing date and effective date

3. Annual franchise tax confirmations

• References original filing date as a matter of public record

• But the state uses a fixed annual due date (May 1) for calculating franchise tax due dates and annual report schedules

• The original filing date does not appear on all official state correspondence

Formation date vs. effective date

Arkansas allows businesses to specify a future effective date when filing, creating two different dates:

• Formation date (file date): When the Arkansas Secretary of State processed your paperwork (use this one)

• Effective date: When your entity officially began operations (if you specified a later date)

For most Arkansas entities, the formation and effective dates are identical, as delayed effective dates are less common.

Take the next step with Discern

You've got what you need from Arkansas's system: business name, entity type, filing number, and formation date. Now get those details into Discern and let our platform handle annual reports, deadline tracking, registered agent coordination, and compliance management across all your jurisdictions.

Book a demo to get started.