Legal Question in Business Law in Florida

Legal Name of Corporation

Where can I find the legal name of a company in my town? I searched the State's database and it is not listed in either the Corporate section or under the ficticous section? They do not do business under a person's name. I read the questions on X inc dba ?...Could they have filed this way? The name on the building does not say XInc dba Y, it only says Y? Does filing this way mean they don't have to file fictious papers? I thought it was suppose to be easy for the public to find out who owns a business.


Asked on 9/01/02, 6:55 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Peter Gonzalez Sanchez-Medina, Gonzalez, Quesada, Lage, Crespo, Gomez & MachadoLLP

Re: Legal Name of Corporation

I'm not sure which one of your questions you need an answer for. In addition to Mr. Jay's suggestion, in Florida the Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, has a website that provides information on corporations, including fictitious names. The address is: http://www.dos.state.fl.us/

The actual "owner" of a corporation is the person or entity who is/are shareholders of the corporation. Florida law allows shareholders to be anonymous, so the website may not be definitive as to the owner(s). However, typically those listed as officers and/or directors are among the shareholders of the corporation, but not necessarily so. Good luck.

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Answered on 9/02/02, 6:10 pm
Scott R. Jay Law Offices of Scott R. Jay

Re: Legal Name of Corporation

I would suggest that you check with the city and/or county in which the business is located. Ask for the occupation license division and see who/what has the occupational license for the business in question. Works almost every time.

Scott R. Jay, Esq., 305-249-8000

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Answered on 9/01/02, 9:37 pm


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