GlossaryUS
What is a Certificate of Good Standing?
Official certificate of a company’s status on the state record
Short answer
A Certificate of Good Standing is the state Secretary of State’s official confirmation of a company’s status at the moment the certificate is issued. Banks and authorities abroad may ask for it.
Explained
In Delaware the short form (also called a Certificate of Status) shows the entity’s name and its status at the time of issue, while the long form lists every document the company has filed, with dates. The state’s online entity search is not an official certificate.
In Wyoming, electronic certificates of good standing are free and each carries a number that lets it be validated; a manually signed original can also be requested. If the certificate will be used abroad, an apostille may also be needed.
Good to know
- If the annual report or state tax is overdue, the state will not issue the certificate until it is brought up to date.
- The certificate shows the status only at the moment of issue; some institutions want a recent one.
- Whether the certificate is accepted is up to the institution asking for it.
Official sources
- Delaware Division of Corporations — Certificates and status
- Wyoming Secretary of State — Certificate of Good Standing
- Delaware Code — Limited Liability Company Act §18-1107
Verified on:
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; check the official source for the latest position or talk to us.
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