How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing for Your Business
A Certificate of Good Standing confirms your business is compliant with state requirements. Learn what it is, when you need one, and how to get it.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Introduction
A Certificate of Good Standing is an official state-issued document confirming your business is registered, up to date on required filings, and compliant with state regulations. You get one by requesting it from the state where your business is registered — either directly through the state agency or through a third-party filing platform like Bizee.
What is a Certificate of Good Standing?
A Certificate of Good Standing is an official document issued by the state where your business is registered. It confirms that your business exists as a legal entity, has filed its required reports, and has paid any fees owed to the state. Some states call it a Certificate of Existence or Certificate of Status — it's the same document.
The certificate doesn't say anything about your business's finances or legal disputes. It only confirms your standing with the state — that you're registered and current on your state obligations. That narrow scope is actually what makes it useful: it's a clean, verifiable snapshot that third parties can rely on.
When do you need a Certificate of Good Standing?
You'll need a Certificate of Good Standing any time a third party needs to verify your business is legally active and compliant. The most common situations are expanding into a new state, applying for a business loan, or bringing on investors or partners. Most requests come with a deadline, so it's worth knowing where to get one before you need it.
- Foreign qualification — required when registering your business to operate in a state other than your home state
- Loan applications — lenders and banks often require it before approving business financing
- Investors and business partners — confirms your business is in good standing before they commit
- Business licenses and insurance — some licensing agencies and insurers require it before issuing coverage or permits
How to get a Certificate of Good Standing
Certificates of Good Standing are issued by the state — not the federal government. You request one from the Secretary of State's office (or equivalent state agency) in the state where your business is registered. Most states offer online requests, and some also accept requests by mail or phone.
Before you can get the certificate, your business needs to be current on all state requirements — annual reports filed, state fees paid, and your registered agent information up to date. If anything is overdue, the state won't issue the certificate until you've resolved it. That's the part that catches people off guard: the certificate is a result of staying compliant, not a shortcut around it.
Processing times vary by state. Some states issue the certificate the same day online. Others take several business days, and expedited options are available in many states for an additional fee. If you're working against a deadline — a loan closing, a foreign qualification filing — build in extra time.
Requesting it yourself
Go to the Secretary of State's website for the state where your business is registered. Search for your business by name or entity number, confirm your standing, and submit the request. You'll pay a state fee — amounts vary — and receive the certificate by download, email, or mail depending on the state.
Requesting it through Bizee
We handle the request on your behalf — filing the paperwork with the state, tracking the status, and delivering the certificate to your dashboard when it's ready. This is useful if you're managing multiple compliance tasks at once or if you're not sure which state agency to contact. You still pay the state fee; we handle the process.
Frequently asked questions
A Certificate of Good Standing for an LLC is a state-issued document confirming that your LLC is registered, has filed its required reports, and is current on any fees owed to the state. It doesn't speak to your finances or legal history — it only confirms your LLC's standing with the state where it's registered.
You request it from the Wyoming Secretary of State's office. Your LLC needs to be current on its annual report and any fees before the state will issue the certificate. Wyoming offers online requests through the Secretary of State's business portal. Processing times and fees vary, so check the Wyoming Secretary of State's website for current details or have Bizee handle the request for you.
It depends on the state. Some states process online requests the same day. Others take several business days. Many states offer expedited processing for an additional fee. If you're working against a deadline, request the certificate earlier than you think you need to — resolving any outstanding compliance issues before you can request it can add time.
Your business needs to be current on all state requirements: annual reports filed on time, state fees paid, and your registered agent information accurate and up to date. If any of these are overdue, the state won't issue the certificate until you've resolved them. Staying on top of your annual compliance requirements is the most reliable way to make sure the certificate is available when you need it.
No. Certificates of Good Standing are state-issued documents, not federal ones. You request them from the state where your business is registered — typically through the Secretary of State's office or equivalent state agency. There is no federal equivalent.
Generally, yes. "Letter of good standing" and "Certificate of Good Standing" refer to the same document in most contexts. Some states use different names — Certificate of Existence, Certificate of Status, or Certificate of Authorization — but they serve the same purpose: confirming your business is registered and current with the state. Check what the requesting party specifically needs before you order.
