diff --git a/api/src/routes/dot-lookup.ts b/api/src/routes/dot-lookup.ts
index 374c79a..75adb4e 100644
--- a/api/src/routes/dot-lookup.ts
+++ b/api/src/routes/dot-lookup.ts
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import { pool } from "../db.js";
 
 const router = Router();
 const FMCSA_API_KEY = process.env.FMCSA_API_KEY || "";
+const WORKER_URL = process.env.WORKER_URL || "http://workers:8090";
 const FMCSA_BASE = "https://mobile.fmcsa.dot.gov/qc/services/carriers";
 
 // ── Helpers ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -441,15 +442,74 @@ router.get("/api/v1/dot/lookup", async (req, res) => {
       const isFormalEntity = isLLC || isCorp || isLTD || isLP;
       const state = carrier?.phyState || census?.phy_state || "";
 
-      if (isFormalEntity) {
+      if (isFormalEntity && state) {
+        const entityType = isLLC ? "LLC" : isCorp ? "Corporation" : isLTD ? "Ltd" : "LP/LLP";
+
+        // Live SOS lookup via workers /entity-status endpoint
+        let sosStatus: { found?: boolean; status?: string; error?: string } | null = null;
+        try {
+          const sosResp = await fetch(`${WORKER_URL}/entity-status`, {
+            method: "POST",
+            headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" },
+            body: JSON.stringify({ entity_name: name, state_code: state }),
+            signal: AbortSignal.timeout(12000),
+          });
+          if (sosResp.ok) {
+            sosStatus = (await sosResp.json()) as { found?: boolean; status?: string; error?: string };
+          }
+        } catch {
+          // SOS lookup timed out or failed — fall back to informational
+        }
+
+        if (sosStatus?.found && sosStatus.status === "ACTIVE") {
+          checks.push({
+            id: "corporate_compliance",
+            label: "Corporate / Entity Compliance",
+            status: "green",
+            detail: `${entityType} in ${state} — ACTIVE and in good standing. `
+              + `Make sure your annual report and registered agent are current. `
+              + `Performance West can handle your annual filings and serve as your registered agent.`,
+          });
+        } else if (sosStatus?.found && sosStatus.status !== "ACTIVE") {
+          checks.push({
+            id: "corporate_compliance",
+            label: "Corporate / Entity Compliance",
+            status: "red",
+            detail: `${entityType} in ${state} — status: ${sosStatus.status || "NOT ACTIVE"}. `
+              + `Your entity may be administratively dissolved, revoked, or delinquent. `
+              + `This can affect your USDOT registration and operating authority. `
+              + `Performance West can reinstate your entity and bring it back into compliance.`,
+          });
+        } else if (sosStatus && !sosStatus.found) {
+          checks.push({
+            id: "corporate_compliance",
+            label: "Corporate / Entity Compliance",
+            status: "yellow",
+            detail: `${entityType} — could not locate entity record in ${state} Secretary of State database. `
+              + `This may mean the entity is registered under a different name or in a different state. `
+              + `Performance West can verify your entity status and handle any needed filings.`,
+          });
+        } else {
+          // Lookup failed/timed out — informational only
+          checks.push({
+            id: "corporate_compliance",
+            label: "Corporate / Entity Compliance",
+            status: "yellow",
+            detail: `${entityType} registered in ${state} — most states require annual reports, `
+              + `franchise tax filings, and a registered agent. Failure to file can result in `
+              + `administrative dissolution and loss of liability protection. `
+              + `Performance West can handle your annual filings and registered agent service.`,
+          });
+        }
+      } else if (isFormalEntity) {
+        // No state to check against
         const entityType = isLLC ? "LLC" : isCorp ? "Corporation" : isLTD ? "Ltd" : "LP/LLP";
         checks.push({
           id: "corporate_compliance",
           label: "Corporate / Entity Compliance",
           status: "yellow",
-          detail: `${entityType} registered in ${state || "your state"} — most states require annual reports, `
-            + `franchise tax filings, and a registered agent. Failure to file can result in `
-            + `administrative dissolution and loss of liability protection. `
+          detail: `${entityType} — most states require annual reports, `
+            + `franchise tax filings, and a registered agent. `
             + `Performance West can handle your annual filings and registered agent service.`,
         });
       } else {