What is a Certificate of Good Standing?
A certificate of good standing is a document that verifies that your company exists and is active. Certificates of good standing are typically required when registering to do business in a new state (foreign qualification), as well as in other official transactions. You obtain a certificate of good standing through the secretary of state. Certificates of good standing are sometimes referred to as a certificate of existence or certificate of status.
How to Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing:
- Order Certificate of Good Standing
In most states, you can simply visit the secretary of state’s website and order and download the certificate of good standing instantly. In other states, though, like California and Delaware, you must submit a reform to the secretary of state of corporations division. In states where a request form is required, it may take up to four weeks to obtain the certificate of good standing. To find out the fastest way to get a certificate of good standing in each state, see the state specific tables below.
- Submit Payment
The fee for a certificate of good standing varies widely by state from free to $50. Find the certificate of good standing fee for each state below.
Certificate of Good Standing Fees and Forms by State