How To Get ACertificate of Good Standing in California.
Key Takeaways
- A Certificate of Good Standing in California is officially known as a Certificate of Status.
- This document is issued by the California Secretary of State and confirms a business entity’s status on state records as of the date the certificate is issued.
Businesses may request a California Certificate of Status directly from the state or use a private B2B filing service like FastFilings for a more convenient online ordering process.
A Certificate of Good Standing in California is an official state document that confirms the current status of a registered business entity. In California, the official term for this document is a Certificate of Status, although many banks, agencies, and business owners still refer to it as a California Good Standing Certificate or California Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing.
The document is issued by the California Secretary of State and may confirm that the entity is active in the Secretary of State records and authorized to exercise its rights and privileges in California.
A California Certificate of Status may include information such as:
- Business entity name
- Entity number
- Registration date
- Entity type
- Current status
- Formation jurisdiction
The certificate reflects the entity’s status on the Secretary of State records as of the certificate date. It does not provide information about financial condition, license status, business activities, or pending documents under review.
Order a California Certificate of Good Standing!
When Do Businesses Need a California Certificate of Good Standing?
A California Certificate of Good Standing is commonly requested during important business transactions or compliance reviews. In many cases, it serves as proof of good standing in California for another organization or government agency.
Businesses may need a Certificate of Status in California when:
- Applying for business financing or a line of credit
- Registering to do business in another state
- Entering vendor or government contracts
- Completing mergers, acquisitions, or due diligence reviews
- Renewing certain licenses or permits
- Working with investors or commercial landlords
Some organizations require a recently issued certificate, while others may accept an older one. Businesses should confirm the timing requirements directly with the requesting party.
Who Can Request a California Certificate of Status?
The California Secretary of State makes Certificates of Status available for several entity types, including:
Entity Type | Certificate Available |
Corporation | Yes |
Limited Liability Company (LLC) | Yes |
Limited Partnership (LP) | Yes |
General Partnership (GP) | Yes |
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | Yes |
The Business Entities Records Order Form specifically notes that Certificates of Status are available for Corp/LLC/LP/GP/LLP entities.
Certificate of Good Standing Requirements in California
Businesses generally must maintain compliant state records in order for a favorable status to appear on a California Certificate of Status.
Common CA Certificate of Good Standing requirements include:
- Maintaining an active business registration
- Filing required Statements of Information
- Remaining current on applicable franchise tax obligations
- Avoiding suspended or forfeited status
- Keeping business information updated with the state
A Certificate of Status reflects the entity’s status in the Secretary of State records. Filing obligations, Statements of Information, and franchise tax issues can affect that status. A business with unresolved compliance issues may need to correct those problems before obtaining a California Certificate of Good Standing.
Ordering a Certificate of Good Standing in California
Businesses have two main options when getting a Certificate of Good Standing in California.
Requesting a Certificate Directly From the State
A business may request a Certificate directly from the California Secretary of State. This can be done online through the approved CA SOS portal or by submitting a Business Entities Records Order Form to the Sacramento office by mail or in person.
The California Secretary of State’s fee is $5.00 per Certificate of Status. If a request is dropped off in person at the Sacramento office, a separate non-refundable $10.00 special handling fee may apply.
Note: Online ordering from the CA SOS is available for corporations, LLCs, and LPs. General Partnerships (GPs) and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) must request Certificates of Status by mail or in person through the Sacramento office when ordering directly from the state. Businesses may also use FastFilings for assistance with the request process.
Ordering Through FastFilings
Many businesses prefer to request a California Certificate of Good Standing through FastFilings instead of dealing with state forms and portals on their own.
FastFilings provides a convenient online ordering option designed specifically for business filing assistance. With FastFilings, business owners can submit their information through a streamlined online process.
Businesses often choose FastFilings because it can help:
- Save time during busy transactions
- Reduce confusion around California filing terminology
- Simplify document ordering
- Provide a more straightforward online experience
- Assist with gathering the correct business information
FastFilings is a private B2B filing company and is not affiliated with any government agency. The official California Certificate of Status is issued by the CA Secretary of State. FastFilings service fees do not include government agency fees.
Ordering a Certificate of Good Standing in California
Businesses should have accurate entity information ready before requesting a California Certificate of Status.
Commonly required information includes:
- Exact business entity name
- California Secretary of State entity or file number
- Entity type
- Requestor contact information
- Number of certificates requested
How a California Certificate of Status Supports Ongoing Compliance
A California Certificate of Status is closely connected to ongoing business compliance. Businesses that fall behind on required filings or tax obligations may lose good standing status, which can create delays during financing, licensing, or registration transactions.
Maintaining compliant records often involves:
- Filing Statements of Information on time
- Monitoring franchise tax obligations
- Updating addresses and agent information
- Responding promptly to state notices
- Resolving suspension or forfeiture issues
California business filings are not a one-time obligation. Ongoing compliance helps businesses avoid interruptions when they later need a Certificate of Good Standing in California.
What If Your Business Is Not in Good Standing?
If a business is suspended, forfeited, or otherwise non-compliant, its California Certificate of Status may reflect that condition instead of showing active status.
Common causes include:
- Missing Statements of Information
- Franchise tax problems
- Unpaid penalties or fees
- Inactive or suspended entity status
- Outdated state records
The exact steps needed to restore good standing depend on the reason for the status issue. In some situations, businesses may need to submit overdue California business filings or resolve tax matters before requesting another certificate.
Order a California Certificate of Status Online With FastFilings
Businesses can request a Certificate of Good Standing directly from the California Secretary of State or use FastFilings for a more convenient online ordering experience.
FastFilings offers a straightforward way for businesses to begin the request process and move forward with less time spent navigating state systems independently. For business owners in a hurry, FastFilings provides a practical online option for ordering a California Certificate of Status.
