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Plain CharterLLC questions, short answers.

Term

What is a certificate of good standing?

An official letter from the state confirming the LLC exists and owes no overdue filings.

By the Plain Charter editorial team ·

Quick facts

Also known as
Certificate of existence or certificate of status

What it means for your LLC

There is usually a small state fee to order it.

Across the 50 states

In 36 states, a foreign LLC's registration needs one. Age limit seen most often: 60 days, in 11 states.

On this site

Read it in context: LLC requirements by state, Registered agent rules by state, Foreign LLC rules by state.

Sources for this page

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