01
Tell us your state
Pick where your company is registered. We pull the exact requirements for that state.
BASE CAMP01 / 03
Good Standing
Proof your company is current and in the clear
A Certificate of Good Standing is the state's signed and sealed way of saying your company exists, is up to date, and is cleared to do business. When a bank, investor, or partner asks for proof, this is the document that settles it.
All 50 states
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THE DELIVERABLE · CERTIFICATE
Secretary of StateCertificate of Good Standing
CERTIFICATE
Certifying
ACME LLC
Certificate number
GS-2026-04512
CERTIFIED
Digital copy plus certified originalORIGINAL ✓
What's in the kit
Handled start to finish.
The brief
What is a Certificate of Good Standing?
In short
A Certificate of Good Standing is a document issued by the state confirming that a company exists, is registered, and is current on its filings and fees. Some states call it a Certificate of Status or Existence. It is dated, and most institutions will not accept one more than 30 to 90 days old.
Why do you need a Certificate of Good Standing?
It is the proof other people ask for. Banks want it to open an account or approve a loan, buyers want it in diligence, landlords want it on a commercial lease, and a second state wants it before letting you register there.
You cannot get one if something is outstanding. A missed annual report or an unpaid fee has to be cleared first, which is why the request is often the moment a company discovers it has fallen behind.
Who needs a Certificate of Good Standing?
- Companies opening a bank account or applying for financing
- Businesses registering to operate in another state
- Anyone in the middle of a sale, a merger or an investment round
- Companies signing a commercial lease or a large contract
On your own, or with Summit
- Ordering it. We order it from the right office in the right state.
- If the state says no. We find what is missing and can file it before ordering again.
- How fresh it is. Ordered when you need it, dated when you need it.
When it comes up
When you will reach for it
You will usually need it when someone outside your company wants proof that you are real and current.
If the request is for use in another country, the certificate is typically apostilled. We handle that step too, so you get a single clean package.
Common moments
- Opening a US business bank account
- Applying for a loan, line of credit, or company credit card
- Registering to do business in another state
- Bidding on government contracts or applying for licenses
- Selling the company or bringing on new investors
- Presenting the company abroad, often paired with an apostille
Our part
How we get it to you
We confirm your company is current on its filings, request the certificate from the Secretary of State, and deliver it to you. The only thing we need to start is your formation paperwork. We already know how to talk to every state.
If your company is not fully current, we tell you exactly what is missing and help you square it away first. Requesting the certificate over an unfiled report just stalls things, so we clear the path before we file.
Your expedition kitGood Standing
Review of your state filings✓
We help clear any outstanding items first, if there are any✓
Direct request to the Secretary of State✓
Digital copy plus a certified original✓
Optional apostille for use abroad✓
Available in all 50 states✓
Exactly as listed. Where something is optional, the line says so.
Business account Active
Ready to operate
USD business checking
Account opened
Cards issued
Filing Filed
State submission
Document review
Confirmation
The route
Three camps to the summit.
The same route every time. Open a tab to see what happens at each camp, and what we need from you at it.
02
We prepare and file
We complete your good standing request and submit it to the state for you.
THE RIDGE02 / 03
03
You get the proof
We send the stamped confirmation the moment the state returns it. No chasing.
THE SUMMIT03 / 03
Fellow climbers
“I recently incorporated my company, I was really very happy, they have been there from the first moment solving all my doubts. I highly recommend them.”
Franco PortalesBuenos Aires
4.7 on Google
Questions
Asked on the way up.
What makes the certificate valid?
It carries the seal and signature of the Secretary of State. That seal is what banks, courts, foreign governments, and other companies accept as proof your company is legitimate and current.
What if my company is not fully up to date?
If you owe annual reports, fees, or taxes, the state will not issue the certificate yet. No problem. We review your file and help you clear the outstanding items first, then make the request.
How long is the certificate good for?
Most states do not stamp an expiration date on it, but whoever is asking usually wants a recent one. A common rule of thumb is no more than 60 to 90 days old when you hand it over.
How fast will I get it?
It depends on the state. Most deliver within 1 to 3 business days once we file the request. A handful are slower and can take up to about two weeks. We will set expectations for your state.
Can it be apostilled for use overseas?
Yes. We routinely pair the certificate with an apostille when you need to present your company in a country that is part of the Hague Convention.
What is a certificate of good standing used for?
Opening a bank account, applying for financing, registering to do business in another state, signing a commercial lease, and any sale or investment. It is the standard proof that a company exists and is current with the state that registered it.
How do I know if my company is in good standing?
The state's own record decides it, and the usual reason a company is not is a missed annual report or an unpaid fee. Many owners find out at the moment they request the certificate, which is often the moment they need it.
Is good standing the same as being active?
The words vary by state. Some issue a Certificate of Status or of Existence, others use good standing, and a few distinguish existing from being current on filings. What every institution is checking for is the same thing: registered, and up to date.
How do I get back into good standing?
By filing whatever is outstanding and paying what is owed, which is usually the missed reports and their penalties. Once the state's record is current the certificate can be issued, and the longer it is left the more back fees are added.
Is it the same as a certified copy of my formation documents?
No, and the two get confused. A certified copy is a stamped copy of a document you already filed. A certificate of good standing is a current statement about the company's status. Some banks want both, so it is worth checking which was asked for.
Does every state issue one?
Yes, though under different names and at different prices, and some states will not issue one at all while anything is outstanding. That refusal is itself the answer to whether the company is current.