How much does a Certificate of Good Standing cost through GetGoodStanding.com?

Most U.S. states are a flat $50, which includes the state filing fee. States with higher government filing fees are priced slightly higher to cover those costs. The exact price is shown before checkout. There are no hidden fees.

How fast will I receive my Certificate of Good Standing?

Most certificates are delivered within 1 to 2 business days. Eleven states maintain instant online portals (Florida, Colorado, Texas, Ohio, Virginia, Minnesota, Idaho, Indiana, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska) and can deliver same-day. A few states require 3 to 5 business days.

What if my business is not in good standing with the state?

If your business is not in good standing, the state will refuse to issue the certificate. We notify you immediately, explain what needs to be resolved (typically unfiled annual reports, unpaid franchise tax, or other compliance items), and issue a full refund if you cannot proceed.

Is a digital PDF certificate accepted by banks and landlords?

Yes. A signed digital PDF Certificate of Good Standing is accepted by virtually every bank, landlord, lender, and counterparty. A physical original mailed via USPS Priority is also available as an add-on if a hardcopy is required.

Do you need my Social Security number to order a Certificate of Good Standing?

No. We only collect business information: the legal name of the business, the state of formation, and the entity type. Optionally, the state entity file number speeds processing. We never request a Social Security number.

What states call this document something other than Certificate of Good Standing?

Several states use different names for the same document. Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington, Maine, Utah, and West Virginia issue a Certificate of Existence. California, Florida, Maryland, New York, and Wisconsin issue a Certificate of Status. Connecticut issues a Certificate of Legal Existence. Pennsylvania issues a Subsistence Certificate. New Jersey issues a Standing Certificate. Alaska issues a Certificate of Compliance. Regardless of the name, all confirm that the business is properly registered and current with state requirements.

How long is a Certificate of Good Standing valid?

Typically 30 to 90 days from the date of issue, depending on the state and what the requesting party requires. Most banks and landlords want a certificate dated within 30 days. Louisiana certificates are only valid 30 days, while most other states accept up to 90 days.

What is a Long Form Certificate of Good Standing?

A Long Form Certificate of Good Standing (most commonly issued by Delaware) includes detailed entity history: formation date, registered agent on record, and a complete list of amendments and filings. It is typically required for mergers and acquisitions, sophisticated lending, and IPO preparation. The Short Form simply confirms current good standing.

Reference · Guide

What is a Certificate of Good Standing?

The Certificate of Good Standing is an official document issued by a state government, usually through the Secretary of State's office, confirming that your business entity is properly registered, current with required filings, and authorized to conduct business in the state.

Quick summary

· Confirms your LLC, corporation, or other entity is in compliance with state requirements
· Required by banks, landlords, government agencies, and business partners
· Goes by many names depending on the state (Certificate of Existence, Status, Subsistence, etc.)
· Typically valid for 30 – 90 days from issue
· Starting at $50 through GetGoodStanding.com, state filing fees included

Section · 01

When you need one

The Certificate of Good Standing is one of the most-requested business documents in the U.S., and the reasons are almost always time-sensitive. Here are the most common situations where you'll be asked to produce one.

Bank loans & lines of credit

Lenders require proof your business legally exists and is in compliance before extending credit.

Commercial leases

Landlords verify your entity status before signing multi-year leases.

Foreign qualification

When your business expands to another state, that state requires a Certificate of Good Standing from your home state.

Government contracts

Federal, state, and municipal contracting opportunities require proof of good standing.

Business partnerships

Partners verify your entity status during due diligence.

Professional license renewals

Many licensing boards require an annual or biennial certificate.

Mergers & acquisitions

M&A diligence requires proof, typically the Long Form variant where available.

Investor diligence

VCs, angels, and other investors review good standing as part of standard diligence.

Section · 02

What it confirms

The contents vary somewhat by state, but every Certificate of Good Standing confirms at least the following:

Existence: Your entity is properly registered and has not been dissolved, merged, or revoked.
Compliance: Your entity is current with all required state filings, annual reports, biennial reports, or franchise tax filings.
Authorization: Your entity is authorized to conduct business in the state.
Registered Agent: Your entity has a current registered agent on file.

Section · 03

Different states, different names.

One of the most confusing parts of the Certificate of Good Standing is that it goes by many different names depending on which state issued your business. The substance is the same, but the title varies.

State

Official document

Issuing office

DelawareCertificate of Good StandingDivision of Corporations

CaliforniaCertificate of StatusSOS (bizfile)

FloridaCertificate of StatusDivision of Corporations (Sunbiz)

TexasCertificate of Fact – StatusSOSDirect

ConnecticutCertificate of Legal ExistenceSecretary of the State

PennsylvaniaSubsistence CertificateDepartment of State

New JerseyStanding CertificateDivision of Revenue

North CarolinaCertificate of ExistenceSecretary of State

OregonCertificate of ExistenceSecretary of State

IndianaCertificate of ExistenceSecretary of State (INBiz)

Section · 04

How to get one

There are three ways to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing:

1. Order through GetGoodStanding.com

Starting at $50, state filing fee included. Most certificates delivered within 1–2 business days. We handle the state portal process, certified delivery, and all the back-end work. Order here →

2. Order directly from the state

Most states accept online orders through their Secretary of State portal. State fees range from free (Colorado, Wyoming online) to $175+ (Delaware Long Form). You'll need to navigate the state's portal, fill out the request, and pay. Processing times vary widely.

3. Through a registered agent

If you have a paid registered agent service, they often charge $100–$200 to order on your behalf. Faster than DIY but typically more expensive than us.

Section · 05

What if your business isn't in good standing?

If your business is behind on annual reports, franchise taxes, or other compliance items, the state will not issue a Certificate of Good Standing. To restore good standing, you typically need to:

· File any missing annual or biennial reports
· Pay any outstanding franchise taxes or fees
· Resolve any compliance issues with the state's Department of Revenue
· In some cases, file a Certificate of Reinstatement if your entity has been administratively dissolved

If you order through us and your business isn't in good standing, we'll let you know immediately and issue a full refund. We can also help guide you through what needs to be filed to restore good standing.

By state