Get official verification of your business compliance status. Required for banking, contracts, foreign qualification, and business expansion activities.
Common situations requiring a Certificate of Good Standing
Required by banks for business loans, credit lines, and account opening
Needed for government contracts, vendor applications, and RFP responses
Required when registering to do business in other states
Due diligence requirement for mergers, acquisitions, and business sales
Required for professional licenses and business permit applications
Court requirements for litigation and legal representation
Processing times and fees vary by state
Need a certificate from a different state?
Simple 3-step process to get your Certificate of Good Standing
Provide your business information and select processing speed
We submit your request to the appropriate state agency
Receive your official Certificate of Good Standing
Fast and affordable Certificate of Good Standing services
Regular state processing timeframe
Rush processing for urgent needs
Detailed comparison of Certificate of Good Standing requirements across all states
Certificate of Good Standing
No expiration
Most business-friendly state
Certificate of Good Standing
No expiration
No state income tax
Certificate of Good Standing
No expiration
Lowest filing fees
Certificate of Good Standing
No expiration
Requires current franchise tax
Certificate of Account Status
No expiration
No state income tax
Certificate of Status
No expiration
Annual report must be current
Certificate of Good Standing
No expiration
Biennial statement required
Certificate of Good Standing
No expiration
Annual report must be filed
Certificate of Good Standing
No expiration
Periodic report required
Understanding the information contained in your Certificate of Good Standing
Official registered name of your business entity
Corporation, LLC, Partnership, or other entity type
The state where your business was originally formed
Date when your business was officially incorporated or formed
Unique state-assigned identification number
Confirmation that the entity is in good standing
Name and address of current registered agent
Business address on file with the state
Number of authorized shares (for corporations)
Current status of required state filings
Date the certificate was issued by the state
Official state seal and signature for authenticity
Your Certificate of Good Standing is an official state document that serves as legal proof of your business's compliance status. It's widely accepted by banks, government agencies, courts, and other businesses.
Resolving common problems that prevent certificate issuance
Your business has compliance issues that must be resolved first
The information on file doesn't match your request
Certificate taking longer than expected to process
State has rejected your certificate request
Our experts can help diagnose and resolve compliance issues that prevent certificate issuance.
Common questions about Certificates of Good Standing
Most Certificates of Good Standing don't have an expiration date, but their acceptance depends on how recent they are. Banks and other institutions typically prefer certificates issued within the last 30-90 days.
These terms are often used interchangeably, but a Certificate of Good Standing specifically confirms compliance with state requirements, while a Certificate of Existence simply confirms the entity exists. Some states use different terminology for the same document.
No, you must be current on all state requirements including annual reports, franchise taxes, and other filings. You'll need to bring your business into good standing first by filing overdue reports and paying any fees or penalties.
It depends on your specific needs. For foreign qualification, you typically need a certificate from your home state. For banking or contracts, you may need certificates from states where you're conducting the specific business activity.
State fees range from $5 to $50 depending on the state. Our service fee is $99 for standard processing or $149 for expedited processing, plus the applicable state fees.
Yes, you can order multiple copies. We provide both digital PDF copies (immediate delivery) and certified physical copies. Additional copies can be ordered at the time of your initial request or separately.
You'll need to ensure your name change has been properly filed with the state through Articles of Amendment. The certificate will show your current legal name as registered with the state.
Most banks and lenders require a recent Certificate of Good Standing as part of their due diligence process for business loans, credit lines, and account opening. It's one of the standard documents in most business loan applications.
For international use, you may need an apostille or authentication in addition to the certificate. We can help coordinate apostille services for documents that will be used in countries that are part of the Hague Convention.
If rejected, the state will provide a reason (usually compliance issues). We'll help you understand the rejection reason and guide you through resolving any underlying issues before resubmitting your request.
Don't let missing documentation delay your business opportunities. Get your Certificate of Good Standing now.