How to look up Idaho business entity information

Idaho business entity information, including entity name, type, number, and formation date, is available through the Idaho Secretary of State's SOSBiz business search portal. This free database provides access to the key details you need for compliance and business transactions.

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

Summary table: Finding your Idaho entity information

How to search for Idaho business entities

Navigate to the Idaho SOSBiz portal and select your preferred search method from the available fields: business name, filing number, city, or date of organization. 

While Idaho's system supports partial matches (searching 'Mountain' will return 'Mountain Tech Solutions, LLC'), using your complete legal name as registered ensures you get precise results.

Idaho's advanced search capabilities allow you to filter results to active entities only, combine multiple search criteria, and use name-matching modes such as "begins with," "contains," or "exact match." This is particularly helpful when researching common business names or verifying specific entity statuses.

Click the entity name in the results to view complete details, including your organizational ID, formation date, registered agent information, principal office address, and complete filing history with downloadable documents.

What you'll see in search results

• Legal entity name (exact spelling and punctuation)
• Entity type (LLC, Corporation, Nonprofit, Partnership, Limited Partnership, etc.)
• Organizational ID (Idaho's unique identifier format)
• Formation/registration date
• Current status (Active, Inactive, Dissolved, Administratively Terminated)
• Registered agent name and address
• Principal office location

How to find your entity number in Idaho

Your Idaho entity number, officially called your "Organizational ID," was assigned by the Idaho Secretary of State when your entity was formed and serves as your unique business identifier.

Where to locate your Idaho entity number

1. Idaho business search (fastest method)

• Located: Prominently displayed in the entity details page
• Labeled as: "Organizational ID" or "Filing Number"
• Format: Idaho-specific numerical format

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Usually at the top of the document
• May be labeled as "File Number," "Document Number," or "Organizational ID"
• Stamped with the Idaho Secretary of State seal

3. Annual reports and state correspondence

• Appears on all official Idaho Secretary of State documents
• Used as your account identifier for ongoing filings
• Referenced in compliance communications

Idaho entity number format

• Format: Numerical identifier assigned sequentially
• Example: Similar to other state systems, but specific to Idaho's numbering convention
• Consistency: Used across all entity types (LLC, Corporation, Partnership, etc.)

How to find your entity type in Idaho

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

Where to find your Idaho entity type

1. Idaho business search (most accessible)

• Displayed: Prominently in search results and detailed entity profile
• Listed as: "Entity Type"
• Shows: LLC, Corporation, Nonprofit, Partnership, Limited Partnership, Limited Liability Partnership

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• At the top of your formation document
• States the specific entity type being formed
• Uses Idaho's official terminology

3. Annual reports

• Listed in entity information section
• Cannot be changed without formal amendment filing
• Must match original formation documents

How to find your formation date in Idaho

Your formation date appears in Idaho business search results and is part of the state's official records, but it may not be physically printed on your Certificate of Formation.

Where your Idaho formation date appears

1. Idaho business search (easiest access)

• Listed as: "Date of Organization" or "Filing Date"
• Location: Displayed in both search results and detailed entity profile
• Format: Standard MM/DD/YYYY format

2. Certificate of Formation/Organization/Incorporation

• Top of the document
• May say "Filed on [date]" or "File Date: [date]"
• Often stamped with the Idaho Secretary of State seal and official filing date

3. Annual report confirmations

• References original filing date
• Used to calculate ongoing compliance requirements
• Appears in the filing history timeline

Formation date vs. effective date in Idaho

Idaho's formation and effective dates are usually the same; it doesn't allow delayed effective dates for business entities. 

The date shown in the SOSBiz portal represents when the Idaho Secretary of State processed and approved your formation documents, making this your official formation date for all business purposes.

Streamline your compliance with Discern

You've got what you need from Idaho's system: business name, entity type, organizational ID, and formation date. From here, it’s pretty easy to get those details into Discern and let our platform handle annual reports, deadline tracking, registered agent coordination, and compliance management across all your jurisdictions.

Ready to eliminate the existential dread of not knowing your compliance status? Try Discern today.