

Certificates of Standing can be purchased by contacting the California Bar Association by phone. An online searchable database allows for searches by name or license number.
CALIFORNIA LICENSE LOOKUP BUSINESS LICENSE NUMBER
IMPORTANT NOTES: License Number Search Field: Enter NUMBERS ONLY without any leading zeroes. The link to DCA Search is provided below the Important Notes section. However, records related to attorneys must be obtained through the California Bar Association. You can look up the current status of California-licensed professional engineers, land surveyors, geologists, and geophysicists via DCA Search. The Department of Consumer Affairs offers a website with links for professional licensing boards including architects, dentists, pharmacy, and medical boards. If you are unable to locate a business through this look-up service, staff can assist by calling (805) 564-5346 during the following business hours: Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. The California Department of Consumer Affairs is responsible for the licensing of most professions. If the business license or a fictitious business name was filed with the county, the records can typically be found with the County Clerk and/or County Recorder’s Office, depending on the county. Searches can be performed by business name, address, owner name, and start date. Some counties offer an online searchable database of business licenses and fictitious business name searches. Business license can also be found with the city or county in which the business license was filed.

The Secretary of State provides an online form which should be complete to facilitate a business records request. However, to obtain copies of business records filed with the Secretary of State requires a mail or in-person request. An online name search can be performed through the Secretary of State. Business Names, Limited Liability Partnerships, Limited Partnerships, and Trademarks are all registered with the California Secretary of State.
