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Ohio Certificate of Good Standing

Operating a business in Ohio can be a very profitable endeavor, but as with any state there is a lot of paperwork involved in staying legally compliant with regulations. You are expected to fill out various forms and applications before you can even open your doors to the public. After this, you will likely need to apply for other important documents that may not have been required to form your business. Among the documents in the last category is an Ohio Certificate of Good Standing.

A Certificate of Good Standing is a type of business document that is recognized by all U.S. states, although its specific name and function can vary according to the laws of the government agency that issues it. In Ohio, these documents come in two similar but legally distinct types: a Certificate of Good Standing, and a Full Force and Effect Certificate. Both versions can be used to prove that a business operating in Ohio is up to date with filing requirements.

If this sounds confusing, you can be assured that FastFilings can help you obtain an Ohio Certificate of Good Standing. In fact, our online ordering system offers business owners the fastest and easiest method to order a CGS. It takes just a few minutes to input the necessary information, and the relevant paperwork for your Ohio CGS will be mailed to your address ASAP.

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Apply For an Ohio Certificate of Good Standing​

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What Is a Certificate of Good Standing in Ohio?

The Ohio Secretary of State’s office is responsible for issuing Certificates of Good Standing and Full Force and Effect Certificates. These certificates verify certain information associated with a given business, such as its legal name, its date of formation, and its current status as an organization in good standing. It also includes the date the certificate was issued, the signature of the Secretary of State, and the official seal of the agency.

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Seller’s Permit and Resale Certificate

How Do I Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Ohio?

Right here at FastFilings! Although you can always order a Certificate of Good Standing directly from the Ohio Secretary of State’s office, there’s no need to bother when you have access to our quick online request form. It’s the fastest and most convenient way to get an Ohio CGS. 

Which type of good standing certificate you need depends on what kind of business structure you operate under. 

A Certificate of Good Standing is for:

  • Domestic corporations
  • Foreign corporations

A Full Force and Effect Certificate is for:

  • Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
  • Limited Partnerships (LPs)
  • Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)

For all practical purposes, these certificates carry the same weight—they confirm that a business is legally authorized to operate in Ohio.

Sole proprietorships and general partnerships do not need to register with the State of Ohio; therefore, they cannot receive one of these documents.

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Do You Really Need a Certificate of Good Standing in Ohio?

You do not need a Good Standing Certificate or a Full Force and Effect Certificate to form a business in Ohio. Nor is it needed for routine business operations. Nonetheless, these certificates can be used for various important legal purposes. For instance, under Ohio law a Certificate of Full Force and Effect issued within the preceding thirty days can be used as conclusive evidence that a foreign LLC is authorized to do business in the state.

Specific situations that may require you to present an Ohio Certificate of Good Standing include the following: 

  • Applying for a business loan
  • Applying for a payment processing account 
  • Establishing a line of business credit
  • Renewing business licenses
  • Securing investment funds
  • Buying business insurance   
  • Selling or transferring your business to another party
  • Expanding business operations into other states

There are other situations where you can or may be expected to show a valid Ohio CGS in order to prove the legally compliant status of your business. 

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What Documents Do I Need?

How to Make Sure Your Ohio Business Is Compliant

Your ability to get a Certificate of Good Standing depends on your ability to keep your business in good standing. The most common way businesses get into trouble is by failing to stay current with filing requirements. 

Unlike most states, Ohio does not require businesses to file annual reports; however, there are other types of reports that may apply to you. For example, limited liability partnerships are expected to file biennial reports. Be sure that you’re up to date with the reporting requirements that pertain to your type of business entity.

Another common way to fall out of good standing is to fall behind on any corporate franchise taxes that you owe for the year. Failing to pay these can result in the cancellation of your Ohio corporation license. In addition, the name of your business, as it appears on official registration forms, will be put on hold for one year—no one else will be able to claim it during this time. However, after that you can lose the right to your business name. 

Before applying for your Ohio CGS, check to see that you’re not behind on any filing or tax requirements. Keep in mind that delaying the filing of taxes or reports can have a negative impact on your business operations that extends beyond your ability to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing.

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How FastFilings Can Help with Your Ohio Certificate of Good Standing

FastFilings has made it easy to get a Certificate of Good Standing (or Full Force and Effect Certificate). It takes just a few minutes to input your information into our online form. Before you begin, be sure to have your business license or registration number on hand.

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