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LLC Straight Talk What it costs, what you have to file, who's worth paying.

Jargon

What's a certificate of good standing?

A paper from the state that formed your LLC saying the company exists and its filings are current. Plenty of states ask for one when your LLC registers to work there, and many want a recent one.
Straight from the LLC Straight Talk editorial team

Quick facts

The short of it
Also known as
Certificate of existence, certificate of status
Related
Foreign registration and also Annual report and also Foreign LLC

What you should do

File your annual reports on time and you'll stay eligible.

Where states differ

36 states want a certificate from your home state. Most limit how old it can be, usually 60 days (11 states), so order it close to your filing.

Where you'll see it

You'll run into it here: What it takes to form an LLC, state by state, Who needs a registered agent, state by state, Registering out of state: every state.

Keep going

Sources, so you can check

  1. Where Form 08-0497, Certificate of Registration comes from: commerce.alaska.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  2. Where Alaska Statutes, AS 10.50.600 to comes from: akleg.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  3. Where Alaska Statutes, AS 10.50.675 to comes from: akleg.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  4. Where Alaska Statutes, AS 10.50.750 to comes from: akleg.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  5. Where Alaska Statutes, AS 43.70.020 to comes from: akleg.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  6. Where Arizona Corporation Commission, LLC forms comes from: azcc.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  7. Where Form L025 instructions comes from: azcc.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  8. Where Commission LLC fee schedule comes from: azcc.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  9. Where A.R.S. 29-3903, registration of foreign comes from: azleg.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  10. Where A.R.S. 29-3905, activities that are comes from: azleg.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  11. Where Arizona Corporation Commission FAQs comes from: azcc.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  12. Where Arkansas Secretary of State, foreign comes from: sos.arkansas.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  13. Where Form FL-01 comes from: sos.arkansas.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  14. Where Act 1041 of 2021, Uniform comes from: arkleg.state.ar.us, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  15. Where 2026 LLC franchise tax report comes from: sos.arkansas.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  16. Where Form FL-04, application for cancellation comes from: sos.arkansas.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  17. Where California Secretary of State, foreign comes from: sos.ca.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  18. Where Form LLC-5 comes from: bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  19. Where Corporations Code section 17708.03 comes from: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  20. Where Revenue and Taxation Code section comes from: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  21. Where Franchise Tax Board, LLC filing comes from: ftb.ca.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  22. Where Foreign LLC forms and fees comes from: business.ct.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  23. Where Foreign Registration Statement form comes from: business.ct.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  24. Where Connecticut General Statutes, chapter 613a comes from: cga.ct.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  25. Where Foreign investigations penalties comes from: business.ct.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  26. Where Who can be an agent comes from: business.ct.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  27. Where Foreign annual report forms and comes from: business.ct.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  28. Where Foreign LLC registration form comes from: corpfiles.delaware.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  29. Where Delaware Code Title 6, chapter comes from: delcode.delaware.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  30. Where Delaware Code Title 6, chapter comes from: delcode.delaware.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  31. Where Division of Corporations fee schedule comes from: corpfiles.delaware.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  32. Where Alternative entity annual tax instructions comes from: corp.delaware.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  33. Where Form CR2E027, foreign LLC application comes from: form.sunbiz.org, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  34. Where Florida Statutes 605.0902, certificate of comes from: flsenate.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  35. Where Florida Statutes 605.0905, activities that comes from: flsenate.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  36. Where Florida Statutes 605.0904, consequences of comes from: flsenate.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  37. Where Form CR2E057, withdrawal comes from: form.sunbiz.org, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  38. Where Sunbiz LLC fees comes from: dos.fl.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  39. Where Hawaii DCCA, foreign LLC registration comes from: cca.hawaii.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  40. Where Form FLLC-1 comes from: files.hawaii.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  41. Where Foreign LLC filing fees comes from: cca.hawaii.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  42. Where Hawaii Revised Statutes 428-1003, activities comes from: capitol.hawaii.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  43. Where New Hawaii business registration portal comes from: cca.hawaii.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  44. Where Idaho Secretary of State, Foreign comes from: archive.sos.idaho.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  45. Where Idaho Secretary of State, business comes from: sos.idaho.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  46. Where Idaho Code 30-21-505, activities that comes from: legislature.idaho.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  47. Where Idaho Code 30-21-214, fees comes from: legislature.idaho.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  48. Where Idaho Code 30-21-213, annual report comes from: legislature.idaho.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  49. Where Withdrawal of Foreign Registration Statement comes from: archive.sos.idaho.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  50. Where Illinois Secretary of State, LLC comes from: ilsos.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  51. Where Form LLC-45.5, Application for Admission comes from: ilsos.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  52. Where Form LLC-45.40, Application for Withdrawal comes from: ilsos.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  53. Where 805 ILCS 180/45-45, consequences of comes from: ilga.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  54. Where 805 ILCS 180/45-47, activities that comes from: ilga.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  55. Where Indiana Secretary of State business comes from: in.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  56. Where Indiana Code 23-0.5-5, registration of comes from: iga.in.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  57. Where Indiana Code 23-0.5-9, fees comes from: iga.in.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  58. Where Indiana Code 23-0.5-4, registered agents comes from: iga.in.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  59. Where INBiz Business Entity Report comes from: inbiz.in.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  60. Where Iowa Secretary of State, business comes from: sos.iowa.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  61. Where LLC Foreign Registration Statement, Form comes from: sos.iowa.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  62. Where Iowa Code 489.902, registration requirement comes from: legis.iowa.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  63. Where Iowa Code 489.905, activities that comes from: legis.iowa.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  64. Where Iowa Code 489.212, biennial report comes from: legis.iowa.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  65. Where Iowa Secretary of State, certificate comes from: sos.iowa.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  66. Where Louisiana Secretary of State, forms comes from: sos.la.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  67. Where Form 972, foreign LLC application comes from: sos.la.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  68. Where Fee schedule effective October 1 comes from: static.sos.la.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  69. Where R.S. 12:1345, application for authority comes from: legis.la.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  70. Where R.S. 12:1354, effect of failing comes from: legis.la.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  71. Where R.S. 12:1350, registered agent comes from: legis.la.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  72. Where Maine Secretary of State, foreign comes from: maine.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  73. Where Form MLLC-12 comes from: maine.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  74. Where 31 MRSA § 1622, foreign comes from: legislature.maine.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  75. Where 31 MRSA § 1623, activities comes from: legislature.maine.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  76. Where 31 MRSA § 1629, consequences comes from: legislature.maine.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  77. Where 31 MRSA § 1680, fees comes from: legislature.maine.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  78. Where Maryland Business Express comes from: egov.maryland.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  79. Where Business Express fee schedule comes from: egov.maryland.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  80. Where Corporations and Associations § 4A-1002 comes from: mgaleg.maryland.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  81. Where Corporations and Associations § 4A-1009 comes from: mgaleg.maryland.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  82. Where Corporations and Associations § 4A-1007 comes from: mgaleg.maryland.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  83. Where Tax-Property § 11-101, annual report comes from: mgaleg.maryland.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  84. Where Massachusetts Corporations Division, foreign LLC comes from: sec.state.ma.us, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  85. Where Corporations Division fee schedule comes from: sec.state.ma.us, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  86. Where G.L. c. 156C § 48 comes from: malegislature.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  87. Where G.L. c. 156C § 54 comes from: malegislature.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  88. Where G.L. c. 156D § 15.01 comes from: malegislature.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  89. Where 950 CMR 112.00, limited liability comes from: sec.state.ma.us, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  90. Where LARA Corporations Division comes from: michigan.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  91. Where LARA limited liability company forms comes from: michigan.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  92. Where MCL 450.5002, certificate of authority comes from: legislature.mi.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  93. Where MCL 450.5008, activities that are comes from: legislature.mi.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  94. Where MCL 450.5007, consequences of transacting comes from: legislature.mi.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  95. Where LARA annual reports and annual comes from: michigan.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  96. Where Mississippi Secretary of State, Business comes from: sos.ms.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  97. Where Business filing fee schedule comes from: sos.ms.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  98. Where Business FAQs comes from: sos.ms.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  99. Where Start Your Business in Mississippi comes from: sos.ms.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  100. Where Mississippi annual reports comes from: sos.ms.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  101. Where Registered agents comes from: sos.ms.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  102. Where Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations comes from: sos.mo.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  103. Where Form LLC 4, foreign LLC comes from: sos.mo.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  104. Where Business filing fee schedule comes from: sos.mo.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  105. Where RSMo 347.153, registration of foreign comes from: revisor.mo.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  106. Where RSMo 347.163, transacting business and comes from: revisor.mo.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  107. Where Missouri Department of Revenue, business comes from: dor.mo.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  108. Where Nebraska Secretary of State, forms comes from: sos.nebraska.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  109. Where Application for Certificate of Authority comes from: sos.nebraska.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  110. Where Neb comes from: nebraskalegislature.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  111. Where Neb comes from: nebraskalegislature.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  112. Where Nebraska Secretary of State, annual comes from: sos.nebraska.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  113. Where NJ Division of Revenue, Business comes from: njportal.com, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  114. Where NJ Division of Revenue, fee comes from: nj.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  115. Where Public Records Filing for New comes from: nj.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  116. Where New Jersey Revised Uniform LLC comes from: pub.njleg.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  117. Where NJ Annual Reports and Change comes from: njportal.com, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  118. Where New Mexico Secretary of State comes from: sos.nm.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  119. Where SOS Enterprise online filing portal comes from: enterprise.sos.nm.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  120. Where Business Online Filing Help comes from: api.realfile.rtsclients.com, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  121. Where NMSA 1978, Chapter 53 comes from: nmonesource.com, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  122. Where Taxation and Revenue Department, who comes from: tax.newmexico.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  123. Where Department of State, Application for comes from: dos.ny.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  124. Where LLC Law § 802, application comes from: nysenate.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  125. Where LLC Law § 808, consequences comes from: nysenate.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  126. Where Department of State, Certificate of comes from: dos.ny.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  127. Where Department of State, biennial statements comes from: dos.ny.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  128. Where North Carolina Secretary of State comes from: sosnc.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  129. Where Form L-09, Application for Certificate comes from: sosnc.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  130. Where Secretary of State guide to comes from: sosnc.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  131. Where G.S comes from: ncleg.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  132. Where Annual report due dates comes from: sosnc.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  133. Where North Dakota Secretary of State comes from: sos.nd.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  134. Where NDCC Chapter 10-32.1 comes from: ndlegis.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  135. Where Secretary of State, registered agents comes from: sos.nd.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  136. Where Secretary of State, business services comes from: sos.nd.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  137. Where Oklahoma Secretary of State, entity comes from: sos.ok.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  138. Where Procedures for registering a foreign comes from: sos.ok.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  139. Where Oklahoma Secretary of State, fee comes from: sos.ok.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  140. Where Annual certificate form for LLCs comes from: sos.ok.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  141. Where 18 O.S. § 2049, transacting comes from: oscn.net, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  142. Where Form 450, Application for Registration comes from: docs.sos.ri.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  143. Where Business Services fee schedule comes from: docs.sos.ri.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  144. Where R.I comes from: webserver.rilegislature.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  145. Where R.I comes from: webserver.rilegislature.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  146. Where Form 452, Certificate of Cancellation comes from: docs.sos.ri.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  147. Where South Carolina Business Entities Online comes from: businessfilings.sc.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  148. Where SC Secretary of State, business comes from: sos.sc.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  149. Where South Carolina Code, Title 33 comes from: scstatehouse.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  150. Where SC Department of Revenue, corporate comes from: dor.sc.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  151. Where South Dakota Secretary of State comes from: sdsos.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  152. Where Filing fee schedule comes from: sdsos.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  153. Where Foreign LLC application for Certificate comes from: sdsos.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  154. Where SDCL 47-34A-1003, transacting business comes from: sdlegislature.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  155. Where SDCL 47-34A-1008, effect of not comes from: sdlegislature.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  156. Where Tennessee Secretary of State, business comes from: sos.tn.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  157. Where Form SS-4233, Certificate of Authority comes from: sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  158. Where Tennessee Secretary of State, business comes from: sos.tn.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  159. Where Form SS-4241, withdrawal or cancellation comes from: sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  160. Where Tennessee Revised LLC Act, Public comes from: publications.tnsosfiles.com, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  161. Where Utah Division of Corporations, foreign comes from: commerce.utah.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  162. Where Division fee schedule comes from: commerce.utah.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  163. Where Utah Code Title 16, Chapter comes from: le.utah.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  164. Where Utah Code Title 16, Chapter comes from: le.utah.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  165. Where Utah Business Registration System comes from: businessregistration.utah.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  166. Where Vermont Secretary of State, foreign comes from: sos.vermont.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  167. Where Vermont Secretary of State, fees comes from: sos.vermont.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  168. Where 11 V.S.A. § 4112, application comes from: legislature.vermont.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  169. Where 11 V.S.A. § 4113, activities comes from: legislature.vermont.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  170. Where 11 V.S.A. § 4033, annual comes from: legislature.vermont.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  171. Where SCC, foreign limited liability company comes from: scc.virginia.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  172. Where SCC, foreign business entities FAQ comes from: scc.virginia.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  173. Where SCC, foreign registration checklist comes from: scc.virginia.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  174. Where Code of Virginia § 13.1-1052 comes from: law.lis.virginia.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  175. Where Code of Virginia § 13.1-1059 comes from: law.lis.virginia.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  176. Where Code of Virginia § 13.1-1057 comes from: law.lis.virginia.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  177. Where Washington SOS, register a foreign comes from: sos.wa.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  178. Where Washington SOS, fee schedules and comes from: sos.wa.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  179. Where RCW 23.95.520, activities that are comes from: app.leg.wa.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  180. Where RCW 23.95.505, consequences of not comes from: app.leg.wa.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  181. Where RCW 23.95.510, foreign registration statement comes from: app.leg.wa.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  182. Where Washington SOS, registered agents comes from: sos.wa.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  183. Where West Virginia SOS, register an comes from: sos.wv.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  184. Where Form LLF-1, application for certificate comes from: sos.wv.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  185. Where W comes from: code.wvlegislature.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  186. Where W comes from: code.wvlegislature.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  187. Where W comes from: code.wvlegislature.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  188. Where West Virginia SOS, cancel or comes from: sos.wv.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  189. Where Wyoming Secretary of State, foreign comes from: sos.wyo.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  190. Where Wyoming Secretary of State, fee comes from: sos.wyo.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  191. Where Wyoming Secretary of State, business comes from: sos.wyo.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  192. Where Certificate of Withdrawal, foreign LLC comes from: sos.wyo.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself
  193. Where Wyoming Statutes, Title 17 comes from: wyoleg.gov, confirmed October 2026, and you can go look yourself