Certificate of Good Standing
Prove Your Business Is Compliant
A Certificate of Good Standing is an official state-issued document that confirms your business is legally registered, current on all filings and fees, and authorized to operate. Banks, lenders, and other states require it more often than you'd expect.
When You Need Good Standing
A Certificate of Good Standing is required more often than most business owners realize. If your business is applying for funding, entering contracts, or expanding to a new state, you'll likely need one.
Secure Business Loans & Funding
Banks, lenders, and investors typically require a recent Certificate of Good Standing before approving loans, lines of credit, or investment agreements.
Expand to New States
When you register your business as a foreign entity in another state, most states require a Certificate of Good Standing from your home state as part of the application.
Win Contracts & Bids
Government agencies and many private companies require proof of good standing before awarding contracts. Without one, you may be disqualified from bidding.
Maintain Business Authority
A Certificate of Good Standing confirms your business is current on all state filings and fees, and is legally authorized to conduct business in that state.
What Is a Certificate of Good Standing?
A Certificate of Good Standing is an official document issued by the state agency that oversees business registrations (typically the Secretary of State). It confirms that your business entity is legally formed, currently active, and in compliance with all required state filings and fees.
The certificate typically includes your business name, entity type, the date your business was formed, confirmation that the entity is in good standing, and the Secretary of State's official seal and signature. It does not disclose financial details, tax obligations, or internal business information.
Who Can Get One
Certificates of Good Standing are available to business entities that are required to register with the state. This includes LLCs, corporations, limited partnerships, and nonprofits. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships that are not registered with the state cannot obtain one, because there is no state registration to verify.
To qualify, your business must be current on all required filings (such as annual reports) and any associated state fees or franchise taxes. If your entity has been administratively dissolved, suspended, or revoked, the state will not issue a Certificate of Good Standing until the issue is resolved.
How Long Is It Valid?
A Certificate of Good Standing does not have a formal expiration date from the state. It is a snapshot of your business status on the date it was issued. However, the party requesting it (a bank, lender, or state agency) will typically require one issued within the last 30 to 90 days.
Because of this, you generally cannot stockpile certificates in advance. You should request one close to when you actually need it. If you anticipate needing one for a loan application or foreign qualification filing, plan ahead so processing time does not cause delays.
How to Get One
You request a Certificate of Good Standing from the state where your business is registered, typically through the Secretary of State's office. Depending on the state, you may be able to order online, by mail, by fax, or in person. Processing times and fees vary by state.
Some states process requests the same day, while others may take one to two weeks. Expedited processing is available in many states for an additional fee. When you use CrowSmart, we handle the process end-to-end: we submit the request to the correct state agency and deliver the official certificate to your dashboard. Any state filing fees are billed separately at the state's actual rate.
A Certificate of Good Standing is proof that your business is active and compliant with state requirements. You'll need one for loans, contracts, foreign qualification, and other critical business activities. It must be recently issued (typically within 30-90 days), so plan ahead and request one close to when you need it.
What's Included
- Request submitted to your state's Secretary of State
- Official state-issued certificate
- Delivered to your CrowSmart dashboard
- Stored securely in your account
Related Services
- State Compliance
Stay on top of annual report deadlines
- Registered Agent
Professional address for legal docs
- Foreign Qualification
Register in additional states
Not sure if you're in good standing? State Compliance monitors your filing status so you always know where you stand.
What You'll Receive
Once your state processes the request, you'll receive the official certificate:
Certificate of Good Standing
Official state documentThe official certificate issued by your state's Secretary of State (or equivalent agency) confirming your business entity is active, compliant, and authorized to conduct business. This is the document banks, lenders, and state agencies accept as proof of good standing.
Ready to Use Immediately
Accepted nationwideYour certificate is valid the moment it's issued and is accepted by banks, lenders, government agencies, and other states for foreign qualification filings. We deliver it directly to your CrowSmart dashboard so you can download, print, or forward it whenever you need it.
Certificate of Good Standing
Official state-issued certificate delivered to your dashboard.
Get Your CertificateFrequently Asked Questions
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Prove Your Good Standing
Starting at $59 + state fees. Official state-issued certificate delivered to your dashboard.