Resources · Before court
Find the Right Name and Address
Sue the wrong name and your win may be worth nothing. These official searches are free.
Resources · Before court
Sue the wrong name and your win may be worth nothing. These official searches are free.
For a business, look up its legal name and registered agent on the state's business search. It's free, and it's the same public record paid lookup services start from.
The name on the sign is often not the legal name. Look up the exact name, and who accepts legal papers for it.
Search the California Secretary of State's bizfile search. For contractors, check the CSLB license lookup.
Search Nevada's business entity search. For contractors, check the Nevada State Contractors Board.
Use the address you have from a lease, contract, invoice or letter. If they've moved, the court's self-help staff can explain your options for finding a current address.
Cities, counties, school districts and public airports are different. There are usually extra steps and much shorter deadlines.
In California you must file a claim with the agency first, and strict time limits apply.
Special rules can apply in Nevada too, so ask the court or a lawyer before you file.
Once you know who and where, use the Court Finder.
Tell us what happened and compare prices before you pay anything.
General information to help you get organized, last checked November 1, 2026. It isn't legal advice, and SueYou isn't a law firm. Laws change and every case is different, so confirm anything important with a lawyer or the court. No lawyer has reviewed this page yet.