What is a certificate of good standing?

Cat McAlpine

BLUEPRINT

Updated 9:52 a.m. UTC Jan. 30, 2024

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Running a small business requires multiple licenses, registrations, tax forms and certificates depending on what kind of business you have and where it operates. Often required to obtain other certificates and licenses is a certificate of good standing.

A certificate of good standing is one document issued at the state level that provides a quick overview of your business’s legal ability to operate. Read on to learn more about what a certificate of good standing is, when it is required, how you can obtain one and what the document is called in your state.

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What is a certificate of good standing?

A certificate of good standing is issued by a state to a corporation or limited liability company (LLC), indicating that a company has completed all the necessary documents to conduct business in that state.

Also called a certificate of existence or a certificate of authorization, this document functions as an overview of your compliance status as a business. A certificate of good standing confirms that your business is up to date on state fees and taxes and has filed an annual report, among other requirements.

When is a certificate of good standing required?

While it’s always good to have on hand, there are several different entities that may request or require your certificate of good standing, including:

Investors.
Business partners.
Lenders.
Banks.
Other businesses.
State governments.

Anyone who is looking to invest their time or money into your company may want to see a certificate of good standing to ensure that everything about your business is up to code and above board.

When applying in another state or applying for foreign qualification, you may be asked to provide any existing certificates. You’ll need to have a certificate on hand when renewing some permits and licenses. Additionally, if you ever plan to sell your business, you’ll want to have your certificate of good standing ready.

How do you get a certificate of good standing?

Most certificates of good standings are available online through your secretary of state’s website or your state’s business portal, but it varies from state to state. In New York, you can only obtain a certificate through the mail.

Most other states have options to file for the certificate in person, by mail, by fax or by phone. Check out our list below to find the specific requirements for your state, and any state where you plan to do business.

What do you need to get a certificate of good standing?

Every state provides a different form or process for filing a certificate of good standing, but all of them will require your basic contact information and the name of your business. Some states may also request a state-issued identification number for your business, which is usually searchable in a business directory on your secretary of state’s website. Any and all requirements will be listed on the application form available from your state.

Where do you get the certificate of good standing?

These certificates are issued on a state-by-state basis through your secretary of state. Most are available online. Read on to find out more about acquiring a certificate of good standing where you conduct business.

	WHERE TO FIND CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING
Arizona	Through eCorp site, by fax or by mailing form
Arkansas	Need to search for your corporation to get certificate
California	State’s online portal
Colorado	State’s website
Connecticut	Government’s website
Delaware	State’s website
Florida	State’s website
Georgia	State’s website
Hawaii	State’s website
Idaho	State’s website
Illinois	State’s website
Indiana	State’s website
Iowa	State’s website
Kansas	State’s website
Kentucky	State’s website, by mail or by fax with form
Louisiana	State’s website
Maine	State’s website
Maryland	State’s website or by mail
Massachusetts	State’s website
Michigan	Online, by phone, by mail or in person
Minnesota	State’s website or by mail
Mississippi	State’s website
Missouri	State’s website, by mail, by phone or by email
Montana	State’s website
Nebraska	State’s website
Nevada	State’s portal or by mail
New Hampshire	State’s website or by mail
New Jersey	State’s website
New Mexico	State’s website
New York	Written request
North Carolina	State’s website or by phone
North Dakota	Online portal, by fax, by mail or by phone
Ohio	State’s website or in person
Oklahoma	State’s website
Oregon	State’s website
Pennsylvania	State’s website
Rhode Island	Online, in person, by phone or by mail
South Carolina	Online
South Dakota	Online
Tennessee	State’s website or by mail
Texas	State’s website, by phone, by email or by mail
Utah	Online
Vermont	Online
Virginia	State’s website
Washington	Online
Washington, D.C.	Online or in person
West Virginia	Online, in person, by mail or by phone
Wisconsin	Online
Wyoming	Online

How do you maintain good standing?

In order to maintain good standing, you’ll want to keep up to date on all of your business’s taxes, filing requirements, licenses and other documentation. Make sure to:

Update and amend any articles of organization if there is a qualifying event.
File an annual report in accordance with state laws.
File state and federal taxes on time.
Renew business licenses and permits.
Resolve any criminal charges.

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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Any number of potential partners, lenders, investors, banks or other entities may want to review your certificate of good standing. You may want to request copies of your certificate if you know you will be seeking funding or selling your business.

It is not always prudent to keep a certificate of good standing on hand, as they expire every few months, but they are relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain as needed.

Certificates of good standings vary from state to state but typically expire between 60 and 90 days from the date of issuance.

Fees vary from state to state, costing as little as nothing and as much as $100. The average fee for a certificate of good standing is $20, though you can expect additional fees if you need your document expedited.

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Cat McAlpine

BLUEPRINT

Cat McAlpine is a writer and marketer based in Columbus, OH. She uses her expertise to support small businesses and arts organizations in her city.

Bryce Colburn

BLUEPRINT

Bryce Colburn is a USA TODAY Blueprint small business editor with a history of helping startups and small firms nationwide grow their business. He has worked as a freelance writer, digital marketing professional and business-to-business (B2B) editor at U.S. News and World Report, gaining a strong understanding of the challenges businesses face. Bryce is enthusiastic about helping businesses make the best decisions for their company and specializes in reviewing business software and services. His expertise includes topics such as credit card processing companies, payroll software, company formation services and virtual private networks (VPNs).