To find who is behind a California LLC, search its name on the Secretary of State’s bizfile Online business search and open its most recent Statement of Information. That filing lists the LLC’s managers, or its members if it has no manager, plus its agent for service of process and principal office address. Ownership percentages are not public, and an LLC that uses a privacy service may show the service’s details instead.
Search the Secretary of State records
- Go to bizfile Online at bizfileOnline.sos.ca.gov and use the business search.
- Search by the LLC’s name or its 12-digit file number.
- Open the LLC’s record to see its status, formation date, agent for service of process and addresses.
- Open the filing history and view the most recent Statement of Information. It lists the managers or members and their addresses. Viewing filed documents online is free.
- Look at older Statements of Information too. They stay in the record and can show earlier managers or addresses.
Other public records that can help
- County recorder: deeds and loan documents for property the LLC owns, often signed by a manager by name.
- County clerk: fictitious business name statements, if the LLC operates under a different brand name.
- Court records: lawsuits filed by or against the LLC.
- Licensing boards: contractors (CSLB), real estate (DRE) and alcohol (ABC) licenses list responsible people.
- UCC filings: searchable at the Secretary of State, showing lenders with a security interest in the LLC’s assets.
What you won’t find
The Operating Agreement, which records who owns what percentage, is a private document and is never filed with the state. Tax filings are confidential. In a lawsuit, ownership can be obtained through the court’s discovery process. Use public records lawfully and respectfully.
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Source: California Secretary of State, Business Entities.
Questions
Is California LLC owner information public?
Partly. The Statement of Information lists managers, or members if there is no manager, with addresses. Ownership percentages and the Operating Agreement are private.
Why does the Statement of Information show a company instead of a person?
Managers can be companies as well as people, and some owners use a privacy service. In that case the person behind the LLC is recorded in its private company records.
Is it free to look up a California LLC?
Yes. Searching and viewing filed documents on bizfile Online is free. Certified copies cost a small state fee.
Last reviewed October 18, 2026 against California Secretary of State and Franchise Tax Board sources. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.