What is a Certificate of Good Standing?
A certificate of good standing is a document, typically issued by the secretary of state in the state where your business is registered, that confirms that your LLC is in “good standing” with the state. It means that your business has paid all required state taxes, submitted an annual report (if required) and has completed all ongoing compliance requirements.
While Certificate of Good Standing is the most common name of this document, somes states call this document a Certificate of Existence, Certificate of Status, Standing Certificate, or Certificate of Subsistence.
Why Your LLC Might Need One
It’s not uncommon for businesses to need to produce a certificate of good standing for various purposes.
Common Reasons to Need a Good Standing:
- Opening a business bank account
- Applying for a business loan
- Expanding into another state (foreign qualification)
- Government contracts
- Mergers
- Investor due diligence
In each of these cases, the other party wants assurance that your business is legitimate and in good standing with the state.
What Information Appears on a Certificate of Good Standing?
The document varies by state but typically contains:
- Business name
- Entity type (e.g., LLC)
- Formation date
- Current status
- Statement of Compliance
- Signature of Secretary of State or similar
Some states include additional details, but those are the basics.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Certificate of Good Standing?
Turnaround times vary depending on the state and how you file. Some states allow for nearly instant online downloads, while others can take several business days.
Going through a registered agent like URA can often speed things up. In many cases, we have direct access to state systems and can process your request faster than if you were to request the document yourself.
If you need your certificate fast, ordering through a registered agent can be one of the quickest and most efficient options – sometimes delivering the document in a matter of minutes.
How Long is a Certificate of Good Standing Valid?
There is no official expiration date, but most banks and agencies won’t accept a certificate older than 30 to 90 days. Remember, a Good Standing is a snapshot of your company’s standing the moment the certificate was pulled. If someone requests one, it’s best to pull an updated one.
Does Every LLC Need a Certificate of Good Standing?
Not really. A Good Standing is not a required annual filing or something the state asks you for. You only need it when someone else asks for proof that your business is in compliance.
Think of it like a passport: you only need to show it when you’re going somewhere specific.
Can I get One if I Owe Taxes or Missed a Filing?
Usually not. You’ll need to resolve those issues before the state will issue the certificate.
If you request your certificate through URA and we discover that your LLC is not currently in good standing, our team will guide you through the steps needed to resolve the issue and regain compliance with the state.
How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing for Your LLC
Getting one is pretty straightforward – as long as your LLC is up to date on all filings and state fees. Here is how it typically works:
- Visit your state’s Secretary of State website.
- Look for the business or corporate filings section.
- Submit the request online (if available) or via mail.
- Pay the required fee. Here is a list of all of the state fees.
Of course, if you’d like a faster turnaround time or are looking for easy and efficient service, we can handle that for you.
Need Help Getting Yours?
At Universal Registered Agents, we make the process fast and stress-free. Choose URA for:
- Fast, online ordering
- Email delivery
- Service in all 50 states
