Get a Certificate of Good Standing in California

What is a California Certificate of Good Standing?

A Certificate of Good Standing is an important document that confirms a business is in ‘good standing’ with the state’s authorities. The document also confirms the existence of an entity, the fact it is formally registered with the state, and shows it is compliant with all state requirements (such as with the California Statement of Information filing requirements). Most importantly, with a Certificate of Good Standing in California, you show that you are able to transact business within the state.

Why do you need a Good Standing Certificate in California?

There are various reasons why, as a business owner, you may need to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing and certify that your business is compliant with all state requirements:

You’ll likely need a Certificate of Good Standing as part of the legal documentation if you’re involved in a merger or acquisition, buying a company, or selling your business.

If you’re applying for a business loan or opening a business bank account, then you’ll need to prove your good standing.

When entering into any contractual relationship with another business or organization, you’ll need to prove your good standing.

Certain licensing requirements in California require a good standing certificate.

If you want to register in another state as a foreign entity, outside of California, then you’ll need to obtain a Good Standing Certificate.

In many cases you’ll need to obtain a certificate that is no more than 30 days old, for it to be accepted as proof of current standing.

How to get a Certificate of Good Standing in California

To get a California Certificate of Good Standing, you’ll need to submit a records order to the Secretary of State’s office. You’ll then receive the certificate, bearing an imprint of the Seal of California and the Secretary of State’s authorized signature to prove the certificate’s authenticity. If you're unable to complete this process, Corporate Creations can assist in obtaining a certificate on your behalf.

Why work with Corporate Creations?

Local experts

Although the process for obtaining a Good Standing Certificate is generally consistent across U.S. states, there are some minor variations. Partnering with Corporate Creations can simplify this process, as we operate in all 50 states and are knowledgeable about the specific requirements and procedures of each Secretary of State’s office for document retrieval.

Excellent customer support

Partnering with us ensures you can count on receiving first-rate customer service. Our dedicated experts will be by your side every step of the way, ensuring a smooth and efficient process. We are committed to providing personalized support and guidance to meet all your business needs.

Additional business filing services

Whether you need a Good Standing certificate or assistance with filing your California incorporation documents, Corporate Creations can help. We can assist with all your document retrieval and filing needs including annual reports, DBA filings, and foreign qualification.

FAQs: California Certificate of Good Standing

A Certificate of Good Standing is usually valid for around six months from the date of issuance. However, you may need to provide a certificate issued within a shorter timeframe if required to do so. Different business institutions and other states may require you to provide a certificate no older than a specified date—30 days, for example. A new certificate is straightforward to obtain, so if you need to eliminate doubt, simply request a new one.

No. A Certificate of Status (also known as a Certificate of Existence of Authorization) verifies that the company exists and is able to operate business in a specific state (in this case, California). This certificate does not provide the additional assurance of whether the business is in good standing or not, which is why many entities get a Certificate of Good Standing.

If you discover your business isn’t in good standing through a California Certificate of Good Standing retrieval, you’ll need to address the issues at hand to ensure they are promptly addressed and resolved. You may need to pay delinquent fees or file any overdue reports. If you find yourself in this situation, Corporate Creations can help. Contact us to find out more.

Yes, you can request a Good Standing Certificate in California through the Secretary of State’s website. However, many businesses choose to work with third parties like Corporate Creations to handle document retrieval tasks. These tasks can be frequent and time-consuming. By outsourcing to a partner experienced in document retrieval, you can focus on other important business priorities.

Yes, and it's often used for to show other states that you're in good standing in California. But the California Good Standing Certificate doesn't show your status in other states. For any state in which you do business that requires you to be a registered entity in that state, you would need to apply with that Secretary of State's office for a separate certificate to show your status in that state.

Certificate of Good Standing California

What is a California Certificate of Good Standing?

Why do you need a Good Standing Certificate in California?

How to get a Certificate of Good Standing in California