What it confirms
- Your company's legal name and entity type
- The date it was formed or registered in that state
- That it has filed its required reports and paid its state fees
- That it has not been dissolved or revoked, as of the issue date
Corporate filings
Certificate of Good Standing: What It Is and How to Get One
A bank, a lender or another state just asked for proof your company is in good standing. It is a one-page certificate from your state's filing office, it usually costs a few dollars, and you can often buy it online today. Here is what it says, who asks for it, and what to do when the state will not sell you one.
Every state, one answerFees checked October 2026A real office in Pilsen
Lobi SpaceGood standing, in any state
The short answer
A certificate of good standing is an official document from the state where your company is registered, usually issued by the Secretary of State. It confirms that your LLC or corporation exists and is current on its state filings and fees as of the date printed on it. Some states call it a certificate of existence, a certificate of status or a certificate of fact. It is the same document.
Illinois$25online from the Secretary of State
Delaware$50short form, $175 for the long form
California$5called a Certificate of Status
What it proves
What the certificate says, and what it does not
It is a snapshot of one day in the state's records. That is exactly why people ask for it, and also why it has limits.
What it does not tell anyone
- That you are profitable or paid your income taxes
- That you hold the right business licenses
- Anything about lawsuits, liens or judgments
- Anything about the company after the date printed on it
Who asks
Why banks, lenders and other states ask for it
Anyone about to rely on your company existing wants it in writing from the state, not from you.
- BanksMany banks ask for one when you open a business account, next to your formation documents and EIN letter.
- LendersSBA and commercial lenders pull one during underwriting, often again right before closing.
- Another stateRegistering to do business in a new state almost always starts with a recent certificate from your home state.
- Landlords and buyersA commercial lease or a purchase agreement says your company is validly existing. The certificate is how their lawyer checks.
- Government contractsAgencies and procurement portals want proof you are an active entity before they sign.
- Licensing boardsSome state licenses for regulated work ask for proof your entity is active.
By state
What it is called and what it costs
Same idea everywhere, different names and fees. These are the state's own published fees, before any service fee.
| State | Name of the document | State fee | Where to order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | Certificate of Good Standing | $25 | Secretary of State, online business search |
| Delaware | Certificate of Good Standing | $50 short form, $175 long form | Division of Corporations |
| California | Certificate of Status | $5 | Secretary of State, business records order |
| Florida | Certificate of Status | $5 for an LLC | Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) |
When the state says no
Why you might not be able to get one
If the state will not issue a certificate, your company has fallen behind on something. In Illinois there is often no error message, just a missing purchase button.
- 01
A missed annual report
The most common reason by far. Illinois declares an LLC not in good standing when the annual report and fee are not filed before the first day of its anniversary month.
- 02
Unpaid state fees or taxes
Franchise taxes and annual fees in states like Delaware and California have to be current before the state certifies you.
- 03
No registered agent on file
If your agent resigned or moved and nobody replaced them, the state can stop treating you as current, and eventually dissolve the company.
The fix is almost always the same: file what is missing, pay what is owed, and if the state already dissolved the company, file for reinstatement. Then order the certificate. Our annual report filing and registered agent service exist so this does not happen twice.
How long it lasts
Does a certificate of good standing expire?
Not officially. The certificate shows your status on one date and has no expiration printed on it. The freshness rule comes from whoever asked for it. Banks, lenders and landlords commonly want one issued within the last 30 to 90 days.
States have their own rules when you register with them. Illinois, for example, will not accept a home-state certificate older than 60 days from an out-of-state LLC registering here. Order it close to the day you file, not weeks ahead.
Expanding to another state
How foreign qualification works
Your company is "foreign" in every state except the one where it was formed. If you do business in another state, that state wants you registered there too, and the paper trail starts with your certificate of good standing.
- 01
Get your home-state certificate
Order a fresh certificate of good standing from the state where you formed. Most states want it recent, often within 60 or 90 days.
- 02
Name a registered agent there
Every state requires a registered agent with a street address in that state. Registered in four states means four agents on file, one per state.
- 03
File for a Certificate of Authority
Each state names it differently: certificate of authority, application for authority, foreign registration. In Illinois an LLC files Form LLC-45.5 for $150. In Florida a foreign LLC pays $125.
- 04
Keep both states current
After you qualify, you owe annual reports and fees in each state, and you keep an agent in each. Miss one and you lose good standing in that state.
What counts as doing business in a state is set by each state's law. An office, employees or a storefront there usually counts. A bank account or occasional sales into the state usually does not. When it is close, ask an attorney before you file.
Forming or registering somewhere else? Start with the state guide:
Lobi Space
Need a certificate this week?
We order certificates of good standing and certified copies for $95 plus the state fee, and keep a registered agent on file for $95 per entity, per state, per year. Call (312) 248-7020 or come by 1655 S Blue Island Ave.
Filing services
Filing services, priced up front
Certificates, agents and annual reports in any state, plus our Illinois formation packages. Prices come straight from our pricing page.
Registered agent
$95per entity, per state, per year
Illinois handled in house in Chicago. Every other state through our partner network.
Annual report filing
$125plus state fees
Filed before the deadline so you stay in good standing.
Good standing and certified copies
$95plus state fees
Official state certificates for banks, lenders and new states.
Starter
$145one time, plus state fees
Your LLC or corporation filed in any state, with your EIN, by a team you can call.
- Filing in any of the 50 states
- Business name availability check
- Articles of organization or incorporation, prepared and filed
- EIN preparation
- Documents delivered to your portal
- Expert support from our team
- Annual report reminders
- Access to your Lobi portal
Pro
Most popular
$195one time, plus state fees
Everything in Starter, plus the documents your bank asks for and a registered agent.
- Filing in any of the 50 states
- Business name availability check
- Articles of organization or incorporation, prepared and filed
- EIN preparation
- Documents delivered to your portal
- Expert support from our team
- Annual report reminders
- Access to your Lobi portal
- LLC operating agreement or corporate bylaws
- First year of registered agent service included, then $95/year
Premium
Everything included
$275one time, plus state fees
Everything in Pro, plus your first annual report filed and the documents to run the company.
- Filing in any of the 50 states
- Business name availability check
- Articles of organization or incorporation, prepared and filed
- EIN preparation
- Documents delivered to your portal
- Expert support from our team
- Annual report reminders
- Access to your Lobi portal
- LLC operating agreement or corporate bylaws
- First year of registered agent service included, then $95/year
- First annual report filed for you
- Customizable legal documents
- Business resources
Prices are our service fees. State fees are passed through at cost and confirmed before filing. Lobi Space is not a law firm and does not give legal advice; we prepare and file documents at your direction.
FAQ
Good standing questions
A state notice you do not understand? Bring it to the front desk or send us a photo.