Certificates of Status (Online) - certificates of status are available within minutes online at bizfileOnline.sos.ca.gov. Certificate of Status certifies to the current status of an entity (e.g., active/good standing, suspended, dissolved, cancelled, etc.)

The identification number assigned to a business entity by the California Secretary of State at the time of registration. A corporation entity number is a 7 digit number with a C at the beginning. A limited liability company and limited partnership entity number is a 12 digit number with no letter at the beginning.

If you are looking for a specific sole proprietorship in California, you can sometimes search by the entity number (EIN), the identification number provided by the California Secretary of State. Sole proprietors don't always need to obtain an EIN and often use their private social security numbers instead.