Certificate of Good Standing

Certificate of Good Standing — Official State Document

A Certificate of Good Standing (also called a Certificate of Existence or Certificate of Status) is an official document issued by your state confirming that your LLC or corporation is legally registered, up to date on all filings and fees, and authorized to do business. Banks, investors, and foreign governments frequently require this document. The certificate is issued by the Secretary of State's office in the state where your company is formed.

$155 incl. $50 state fee
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Certificate of Good Standing — $155

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Company Incorp is a private company formation and document filing service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any Secretary of State, the IRS, or any other government agency.

Why You Need This

Benefits of Certificate of Good Standing

Open Bank Accounts

Many U.S. and international banks require a Certificate of Good Standing when opening a business bank account.

Secure Financing

Lenders and investors often request proof of good standing before extending credit or funding to your company.

International Expansion

Foreign governments and agencies require this certificate when registering your U.S. company to do business abroad.

Prove Compliance

Demonstrates to partners and customers that your company is legally compliant and active in good standing with the state.

Who Needs This

Who Needs a Certificate of Good Standing?

Common situations where this service is required or highly recommended.

Opening a Business Bank Account

Mercury, Chase, Bank of America, and many international banks require a current Certificate of Good Standing as part of the business account application.

Securing Investors & Financing

Venture capitalists, angel investors, and lenders routinely require a Certificate of Good Standing during due diligence before committing funds.

International Expansion

When registering your U.S. company to do business in a foreign country, local authorities typically require a notarized and apostilled Certificate of Good Standing.

Large Business Contracts

Enterprise clients and government contractors routinely require all vendor companies to provide a Certificate of Good Standing before signing agreements.

Registering in Another U.S. State

When you "foreign qualify" your company to operate in a second state, that state requires a Certificate of Good Standing from your home state as part of the application.

Legal Proceedings & Compliance

Attorneys and courts may require a Certificate of Good Standing as proof that your company is legally active during litigation, arbitration, or regulatory review.

Get Started — $155
The Process

How It Works — Step by Step

1

Place Your Order

Provide your company name, state of formation, and entity type. Our team confirms your company is eligible before proceeding.

2

We Contact the Secretary of State

We submit the official certificate request to your state's Secretary of State office the same business day. We include all required information and fees.

3

State Processing

The state reviews your company's records — filings, fees, and registered agent status. Processing typically takes 5–15 business days. We track your request and follow up if needed.

4

Digital Delivery

Once issued, we send you the official Certificate of Good Standing as a PDF by email. The certificate bears the Secretary of State's seal and is valid for 30–90 days.

About This Service

Certificate of Good Standing — Explained

A Certificate of Good Standing (also called a Certificate of Existence or Certificate of Status) is an official document issued by your state confirming that your LLC or corporation is legally registered, up to date on all filings and fees, and authorized to do business. Banks, investors, and foreign governments frequently require this document. The certificate is issued by the Secretary of State's office in the state where your company is formed.

Order Certificate of Good Standing
Service Price
$105 one-time fee
  • Official state-issued document
  • Issued by Secretary of State
  • Required for bank account openings
  • Required by investors and lenders
  • Accepted by foreign jurisdictions
  • Digital delivery to your email
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Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

A Certificate of Good Standing (also called a Certificate of Existence, Certificate of Status, or Certificate of Authorization depending on the state) is an official document issued by the Secretary of State of the state where your company is formed. It certifies that your LLC or corporation is legally registered in that state, is current on all required annual reports and state fees, has a valid registered agent on file, and is authorized to conduct business. It does not speak to your financial health, creditworthiness, or tax compliance with the IRS — it only confirms your standing with the state's business registry. The certificate bears the official seal of the Secretary of State and is typically signed by the Secretary of State or a designated official.

The most common situations where you will be asked to provide a Certificate of Good Standing include: (1) Opening a business bank account — especially with major banks and online banks like Mercury or Relay; (2) Applying for a business loan or line of credit from a lender or SBA program; (3) Seeking venture capital or angel investment during due diligence; (4) Entering a contract with a large corporation, government agency, or enterprise client; (5) Registering to do business in a second U.S. state (foreign qualification); (6) Expanding internationally and registering your U.S. company with a foreign government or agency; (7) Applying for certain business licenses or permits in regulated industries; (8) During business acquisition, merger, or sale proceedings.

Processing time varies by state. Most states process requests within 5–15 business days. Some states like Delaware, Wyoming, and Florida are known to be faster (3–7 business days), while others like California can take 10–15 business days. Expedited processing is available in some states for an additional fee. Company Incorp submits your request to the Secretary of State the same business day your order is placed and tracks the status on your behalf. We notify you as soon as the certificate is issued.

Most Certificates of Good Standing are valid for 30 to 90 days from the date of issuance, though the exact period varies by state and by the institution requesting the document. Some institutions, particularly those conducting routine business (like entering a commercial lease), may accept certificates that are 60 to 180 days old. Others, such as banks conducting due diligence for a loan, may require a certificate issued within the last 30 days. Always check the specific validity requirement of the party requesting the certificate before ordering, so you do not order too early.

Your company can fall out of good standing — and become unable to obtain a Certificate — if you fail to: (1) File your state's annual report or biennial report by the deadline; (2) Pay annual state fees or franchise taxes on time; (3) Maintain a registered agent with a valid physical address in the state of formation; (4) Respond to state notices or legal service. If your company is not in good standing, it may be administratively dissolved, meaning it loses its legal right to do business. To restore good standing, you typically need to file all overdue reports, pay all outstanding fees plus penalties, and reinstate the company with the state. Company Incorp can check your current standing before placing an order.

No. A Certificate of Good Standing only confirms your company's compliance with state filing and fee requirements — it says nothing about your federal or state tax obligations to the IRS or state revenue departments. Being in "good standing" with the Secretary of State does not mean your company is current on income taxes, payroll taxes, or sales taxes. Some states (like California and New York) have separate tax compliance clearances that may be required in addition to a Certificate of Good Standing for certain transactions. If a party asks for proof of tax compliance specifically, that is a different document entirely.

Yes, but the process usually requires additional steps. When using a U.S. Certificate of Good Standing for international purposes — for example, registering your U.S. company with a foreign government, opening an international bank account, or entering a foreign jurisdiction for business — the certificate typically needs to be apostilled (authenticated under the Hague Convention) so that foreign authorities recognize its legitimacy. An apostille is a certification attached to your document by the appropriate U.S. authority (usually the Secretary of State or the U.S. Department of State, depending on the country). Company Incorp can advise you on apostille requirements for your destination country upon request.

A typical Certificate of Good Standing includes: your company's legal name exactly as registered with the state; your entity type (LLC, Corporation, etc.); the state of formation; the date your company was originally formed; a statement that the company is in good standing and authorized to do business; the date the certificate was issued; and the official seal and signature of the Secretary of State. Some states also include the company's registered agent name and address, and whether any annual reports are current. The exact format varies by state — some are one paragraph, others are multi-page official documents.
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*Processing and delivery times vary by state and individual circumstances.

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Legal Notice

Independent Filing Service — Not a Government Agency

Company Incorp is a private company formation and document filing service. We are not a law firm, accounting firm, or government agency, and we are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any Secretary of State, the IRS, or any other government agency. We charge a service fee to prepare and submit filings on your behalf. This site does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice — for guidance specific to your situation, please consult a licensed attorney or accountant.