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Get a Certificate of Good Standing
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Order Your Certificate of Good Standing in 3 Simple Steps
Provide Your Details
Share your company name and state of formation. If you're an existing Swyft Filings customer, we already have most of what we need.
We Request the Certificate
Our specialists submit the official request to your Secretary of State and review everything for accuracy.
Receive Your Certificate
As soon as it's issued, we deliver the official certificate to your secure online account, ready to use with confidence.
Certificate of Good Standing Package
What's Included in Swyft's Certificate of Good Standing Package
- We submit your order straight to the state agency that issues it, so you don't have to figure out which office or form applies.
- A specialist checks your certificate before it reaches your account, helping you avoid rejected or unusable documents.
- Your certificate is uploaded to your online account as soon as it's issued, with a physical copy available if your situation requires one.
- Our team is available to answer questions about your order from start to finish.
What Is a Certificate of Good Standing
Depending on the state, the document you actually receive may carry a different name, such as:
- Certificate of Existence
- Certificate of Status
- Certificate of Authorization
A Certificate of Good Standing is a snapshot, because it reflects a specific point in time. It is not a permanent credential. If your business falls out of compliance after the certificate is issued, for example, by missing an annual report, the certificate on file no longer reflects your current status.
Who Can Request a Certificate of Good Standing?
LLC
Corporation
Nonprofit
When Do You Need a Certificate of Good Standing?
Foreign Qualification
Business Loans and Bank Accounts
Contracts and Vendor Agreements
Mergers, Acquisitions, and Selling Your Business
Renewing Licenses and Permits
What Information Do You Need Before Ordering?
Your Legal Entity Name
State of Formation
Entity Type
Any Additional Certifications Needed
Certificate of Good Standing Processing Times
Processing time is set by the state, not by Swyft Filings, and varies significantly. States that require mailed paper certificates generally take longer than states with instant online verification.
Certificate of Good Standing vs. Certified Copies
Common Reasons Businesses Lose Good Standing
To avoid these mistakes, consider a compliance monitoring service like ComplianceGuard to track deadlines across every state where you're registered.
Missed Annual Report or Franchise Tax Filing
Most states require a periodic report, and some also require a franchise tax payment, to keep your status active.
Unpaid State Fees or Penalties
Outstanding fines or late fees can put your business out of good standing until they're resolved.
Registered Agent Resignation or Lapse
If your registered agent resigns and you don't appoint a replacement, your state will flag your business as noncompliant.
Failure to File Required Amendments
Not updating the state on major changes, like a name change or address update, can also affect your status in some states.
Why Choose Swyft Filings for Your Certificate of Good Standing
Fast Turnaround
We obtain your certificate quickly so you can meet deadlines for banks, contracts, or new opportunities.
Trusted Compliance Proof
Show lenders, partners, and agencies that your business is active and in good standing with the state.
Live Expert Support
Our specialists are available to answer questions and guide you through requesting your certificate.
Filed Correctly Every Time
Your request is carefully reviewed and filed accurately to help you avoid delays or rejections.
Frequently Asked Questions
Speak directly with a Business Specialist, please give us a call at (866) 797-9938. We love to help!
Banks often require one to open a business account or approve a loan. It's also commonly needed for contracts, business sales, foreign qualifications, and other legal or financial transactions.
Yes. Missing an annual report or franchise tax filing, letting fees or penalties go unpaid, or losing your registered agent without naming a replacement can all cause a business to fall out of good standing.
No. A Certificate of Good Standing confirms your current compliance status, while a Certified Copy is a state-certified reproduction of a document already on file, such as your Articles of Organization. Some filings require both.
Most states don't print an expiration date on the certificate itself, but many banks, lenders, and government agencies only accept one issued within the last 30 to 90 days, since it reflects your status only as of the date it was issued.
Many states offer expedited processing for an additional fee. Availability and turnaround time vary by state.
Yes. Swyft Filings can request a Certificate of Good Standing from any state where your business is registered.
No. The IRS and SEC are federal agencies and do not issue Certificates of Good Standing. This document is issued exclusively by state-level agencies, typically the Secretary of State where your business is registered.
In most cases, yes. When a bank asks for a letter of good standing, it's typically referring to the same state-issued Certificate of Good Standing, not a separate document the bank issues itself.
No, but they're closely related. Filing your annual report and paying any required franchise tax on time is usually what keeps your business in good standing in the first place. The certificate itself is a separate document that confirms that status.
In most cases, yes, once your formation paperwork has been processed and accepted by the state. Some states require your first annual report to be on file before they'll issue a certificate, so timing can vary.