# California SoS Business Scraper - Agent & Status (`regdata/california-sos-business-scraper`) Actor Scrape the California Secretary of State business registry (bizfileOnline): entity name, number, status, standing, type, formation date and registered agent. Search by name or entity number. No API key needed. - **URL**: https://apify.com/regdata/california-sos-business-scraper.md - **Developed by:** [getregdata](https://apify.com/regdata) (community) - **Categories:** Lead generation, Automation, Developer tools - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $18.00 / 1,000 entity records This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## California SoS Business Scraper - bizfileOnline Company Data & Agent Extract official company data from the **California Secretary of State** business registry (**bizfileOnline**) - the registry of every corporation, LLC and LP in the largest US state. Search by **company name or entity/file number** and get clean, structured JSON: **status, standing, entity type, formation date and the registered agent for service of process**. No API key needed. There is **no open public API** for bizfileOnline (the official CALICO API is key-gated and capped). This actor is the API - and unlike other tools, **you don't bring your own key**. ### Why this actor bizfileOnline is protected by **Imperva** with a CAPTCHA challenge, so most "California business" tools on the market make **you register for and supply your own state API key**. This actor handles the anti-bot and access for you - send a name or entity number and get structured records back, including the **registered agent** that lighter scrapers omit. ### No key, no setup The Imperva bypass runs on our infrastructure and is included in the price. **No API key, no CAPTCHA, no proxy to configure.** Just send a search term. ### Quick Start Click **Try it** and search by company name: ```json { "searchQueries": ["Tesla"] } ```` Or look up an exact entity by its California entity/file number: ```json { "searchQueries": ["3814816", "Tesla Motors"] } ``` ### Input | Field | Type | Description | |------|------|-------------| | `searchQueries` | array | Company names or entity/file numbers. Each query returns all matches (up to ~500 per search). | | `maxResultsPerQuery` | integer | Cap per query. `0` = no limit. Default `0`. | ### Output One dataset item per entity: ```json { "name": "TESLA MOTORS CLUB LLC", "entityNumber": "201313510058", "status": "Terminated", "standing": "Good Standing", "entityType": "Limited Liability Company - CA", "formedIn": "CALIFORNIA", "initialFilingDate": "05/13/2013", "registeredAgent": "CALIFORNIA CORPORATE AGENTS, INC.", "recordNumber": "...", "jurisdiction": "California, USA", "source": "California SoS bizfileOnline (bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov)", "sourceUrl": "https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business", "searchQuery": "Tesla Motors", "scrapedAt": "2026-06-28T00:00:00.000Z" } ``` ### Common use cases - **KYC / KYB onboarding** - verify a California entity's existence, status and standing from a name or entity number. - **Registered agent intelligence** - pull the agent for service of process (legal, compliance, sales). - **Due diligence** - check status (Active / Suspended / Dissolved) and good-standing. - **Lead generation & market research** - map California entities by type and formation date. ### Data source & compliance - **Source:** the official **California Secretary of State bizfileOnline** registry (`bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov`). Every record is stamped with its source URL and retrieval timestamp. - **Public records.** California business-entity records are public. This actor reads the open public search; it does not log in or bypass any paywall. - **Query-driven** - it looks up the entities you ask for, not a bulk copy of the register. - Scraping public US business records is well-established (public records; post-*Van Buren* / *hiQ v. LinkedIn*). Use the data lawfully (KYC/AML, due diligence, B2B) and gently. ### Notes - A search returns up to ~500 matches per query in one call. Use an entity/file number for an exact single-entity lookup. - The free Apify plan returns a small preview; upgrade to a paid plan for full, uncapped results. # Actor input Schema ## `searchQueries` (type: `array`): Company names or entity/file numbers to look up in the California Secretary of State business registry. Each query returns all matching entities. ## `maxResultsPerQuery` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of entities to keep per query (default 50 to avoid surprise charges on broad searches). Set 0 for no limit (all matches, typically up to ~500 per search). ## Actor input object example ```json { "searchQueries": [ "Tesla Motors", "3814816", "Capital" ], "maxResultsPerQuery": 50 } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `entities` (type: `string`): CA SoS register records in the default dataset. # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "searchQueries": [ "Tesla" ] }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("regdata/california-sos-business-scraper").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "searchQueries": ["Tesla"] } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("regdata/california-sos-business-scraper").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "searchQueries": [ "Tesla" ] }' | apify call regdata/california-sos-business-scraper --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=regdata/california-sos-business-scraper", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "California SoS Business Scraper - Agent & Status", "description": "Scrape the California Secretary of State business registry (bizfileOnline): entity name, number, status, standing, type, formation date and registered agent. Search by name or entity number. No API key needed.", "version": "1.0", "x-build-id": "UVpNaOCBaUAq9lAtv" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/regdata~california-sos-business-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-regdata-california-sos-business-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/regdata~california-sos-business-scraper/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-regdata-california-sos-business-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/regdata~california-sos-business-scraper/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-regdata-california-sos-business-scraper", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "searchQueries": { "title": "Search queries", "type": "array", "description": "Company names or entity/file numbers to look up in the California Secretary of State business registry. Each query returns all matching entities.", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "maxResultsPerQuery": { "title": "Max results per query", "minimum": 0, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of entities to keep per query (default 50 to avoid surprise charges on broad searches). Set 0 for no limit (all matches, typically up to ~500 per search).", "default": 50 } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```