The business services division is an office under the office of the secretary of state. The office is responsible for the handling of commercial-related activities within the city such as the registering of a new business entity; providing up-to-date information on local and foreign corporations operating here, etc. Lots of corporations and individuals exploit the full package of affordable and accessible incorporation services provided by the division. For instance, its flexible laws, online services, friendly and customer service-oriented staff, comprehensive business information, resource centers, etc. By checking the website, businesses and interested individuals can stay current with entity information and business support services offered.
What is it for
The following are some of the services offered by the division to individuals, new business owners, and corporations.
Filing of Annual report
Annual reports for locally based active corporations have to be filed. There is an available service for filing online.
Pay LLC/Partnership Tax
Taxes are paid annually on or before March 1st. When a corporation does not pay the stipulated franchise taxes, it is fined a penalty of $200.00 plus 1.5% interest a month on tax and penalty.
Filing a UCC
Users file their UCCs online by clicking on the link on the website. If you are looking for information on how to file a UCC, learn more on the site.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
The FAQ section on the site acts as a guide and provides answers to questions asked by new users on how to navigate the portal easily. All entity information available on the portal is free.
Business Entity Search
If you are looking for a business entity, you will require the entity name and the file number. Enter the details in the requested spaces and all existing data on the company will be shown. A user may search for an entity name; file number, registered agents, number of employees, date of incorporation, business address, phone number, et cetera.
Check Entity Name Availability
All entities legally established in the state were represented by a registered agent residing in the city. To reserve a business name, a business owner has to hire the services of a registered agent online via the portal.
Validate Certificate
Individuals and corporations can apply for validation and verification of their certificates already generated by the division for their business entities. To access this, one needs the entity file number and authentication number for the certificate to be validated.
Forms and Fees
Pay online, get your corporate forms, and fill them out from the comfort of your home or office. You may click on get fees to know the most recent charges for services, UCC forms, et cetera.
Website information
The division provides the following information on its portal for new and existing users.
- Forming a new company
- Submit an order
- Speed up an order
- Ordering a good-standing certificate
- How to find registered agents
- Trademarks available
- How to order a certificate
- Ordering an apostille
- Service of Process
- Applying for a notary commission
- Protecting your business
Online filings
These include all filings carried out by the office and available to corporations and business persons.
- Non-profit filings
- Notary public fillings
- Biennial report filings
- 28E filings
- Fast track filings
- Agricultural report filings
Contact information
The division works from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday excluding national public holidays
For general information, send emails to sos@sos.iowa.gov
Address: First floor, Lucas Building, 321 E. 12th St. Des Moines, IA 50319.
Phone: Call 711 and then 515 281 5204
Fax: 515 242 5963
Official Website: https://sos.iowa.gov/contactus.html)
