Get a WashingtonCertificate of good Standing in 5 minutes.

Also Known As A Certificate of Status, Certificate of Existence, Etc.

Apply for a Washington Certificate of Good Standing in minutes!

Washington Certificate of Good Standing

What do you need to run a business in the state of Washington? It involves a lot of paperwork. As with every state, Washington requires businesses to juggle a number of permits, licenses, and certificates, which vary according to the nature of the business and the types of transactions it engages in. Many of these certificates must be kept “active” 24/7/365 if your business is to remain compliant with state law. But there is another class of business certificates that are required only on a periodic, as-needed basis. Among these is the Certificate of Good Standing (CGS).

A Certificate of Good Standing is a state-issued document that simply affirms that a particular business was formed according to applicable law and remains in existence as a legally recognized entity. Around the U.S. it goes by a variety of alternate names, depending on local policies. Certificate of Fact and Certificate of Status are just a few of the more common names. The state of Washington often calls it a Certificate of Existence as well as a Certificate of Good Standing.

If all this sounds confusing, rest assured that FastFilings can walk you through the process of getting a valid Washington Certificate of Good Standing (Certificate of Existence). Our online system lets you type in some basic information relating to your business, and we’ll get the necessary paperwork to you right away. It’s a really simple, stress-free way to get a Washington Certificate of Good Standing (CGS).

Apply for a Washington Certificate of Good Standing

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What Is a Washington Certificate of Good Standing?

A Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) is an official document issued by the Washington Secretary of State. It provides legal proof of several facts relevant to a particular business, such as:

The date the business was formed
The duration of the business (e.g., “Perpetual”)
The active status of the business (i.e., it has not been nor is in the process of being legally dissolved)
The business’s compliance with fees and filing requirements

At the bottom of a Washington Certificate of Existence is the date of issuance, the signature of the Secretary of State, and the official state seal.

A Washington Certificate of Good Standing (CGS)/Certificate of Existence is frequently required for certain business-to-business (B2B) transactions, as it provides legal proof of a company’s right to conduct operations in the state.

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

You can always get a valid Certificate of Good Standing from the Washington Secretary of State’s office, but you have a more convenient option with FastFilings’ online ordering platform. We’ve created a streamlined form that walks you through the process step by step.

To begin, however, it’s important to be clear on what kind of certificate you need for your business. The state of Washington issues Certificates of Existence as well as Certificates of Authority; these should not be confused with each other.

Certificate of Existence – Used by Washington-based companies to prove authorization to conduct business here.
Certificate of Authority – Used by out-of-state companies to prove authorization to conduct business in Washington.

If you formed your business in Washington, you need a Certificate of Existence.

A Washington Certificate of Existence/Good Standing can be issued to a corporation, a limited liability company (LLC), a limited partnership (LP), or a limited liability partnership (LLP). Note that sole proprietors and general partnerships do not register with the Washington Secretary of State.

Do You Need a Washington Certificate of Good Standing?

You don’t need a Certificate of Existence/Good Standing (CGS) for normal business operations. But there are times when a third-party organization will request a Washington Certificate of Existence from you. These occasions include but are not limited to:

Applying for a business loan/payment processing account
Establishing business credit with a bank
Securing investment funds
Renewing a business license
Expanding operations into other states
Buying insurance for your business
Selling or transferring your company to another party

These are just some of the occasions where you might be expected to produce a Washington CGS. Bear in mind that many third parties will not accept a Certificate of Existence that is more than a few months old. You may be expected to provide a Certificate of Existence that is dated within the past 30 or 60 days, for instance.

How to Make Sure Your Washington Business Is Compliant

The main way to keep your business compliant, and eligible to receive a Washington Certificate of Good Standing (CGS), is to stay current with tax and filing requirements. Failure to file reports with the appropriate state agency is the most common reason for falling out of compliance.

In Washington, profit corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) should file their annual reports with the state’s Business Licensing Service (BLS). Nonprofit corporations, limited partnerships, and limited liability partnerships should file with the Secretary of State’s office.

Aside from interfering with your ability to obtain a Certificate of Existence, failure to comply with these requirements can eventually lead to the administrative dissolution of your business. If your Washington business has been administratively dissolved, you have five years to apply for reinstatement.

How FastFilings Can Help with Your Washington Certificate of Good Standing

FastFilings gives you access to a simple online platform on which you can apply for your Washington Certificate of Existence. The process will take only a few minutes of your time, and the paperwork will be mailed to you shortly.