Get a Certificate of Good Standing

Also known as a certificate of status and a certificate of existence. This important document shows that your business is authorized to do business and has met state requirements.

For LLCs, Corporation & Nonprofits.

A California Certificate of Good Standing is an important document that indicates a registered business entity is currently in compliance with all applicable legal requirements in the state. Although possessing one of these certificates isn’t necessarily mandatory in order to conduct business in the state, it greatly expands the number of opportunities available to an organization. Without a valid Certificate of Good Standing, a business cannot legally participate in many commerce-related activities. 

If you’ve been asked to present a California Certificate of Good Standing to confirm your business status, you may be wondering what you need to do in order to obtain one. With FastFilings, there’s no need to wonder. We’ve developed a streamlined process that requires only a little effort on your part to order a California Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing that can be used for a variety of legal verification purposes.

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What Is a Certificate of Good Standing in California?

The California Certificate of Good Standing, also known as a Certificate of Status, is an official document issued by the California Secretary of State. It confirms that a business entity is legally registered and authorized to operate in the state. This certificate serves as evidence that the business has met all compliance requirements, such as filing annual reports, paying necessary fees, and maintaining active status with the Secretary of State.

This type of certificate applies to businesses that must be registered with the state; therefore, a sole proprietorship or general partnership does not require a California Certificate of Good Standing. Other types of business structures do, however:

  • Limited partnerships (LPs)
  • Limited liability partnerships (LLPs)
  • Limited liability companies (LLCs)
  • Corporations (all types)

In California, a Certificate of Good Standing is formally known as a Certificate of Status. Across the U.S., this type of document goes by a variety of other names, depending on jurisdiction. This tends to cause confusion among people who do not realize that these differently titled documents are fundamentally the same. These alternative names include:

  • Letter of Good Standing
  • Statement of Good Standing
  • Certificate of Standing
  • Certificate of Fact – Status (CFS)
  • Certificate of Authorization
  • Certificate of Authentication
  • Certificate of Qualification
  • Certificate of Compliance
  • Certificate of Existence (in some states, a Certificate of Existence is used only to verify that the business is currently listed in the state’s records; it does not necessarily mean that the organization is in good standing)

No matter what the official name may be, this document always performs the same basic function: It verifies that a business is recognized by the state as valid and compliant with all applicable requirements.

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

Obtaining a Secretary of State Good Standing certificate in California is a straightforward process that can be done directly through the Secretary of State’s office. While the state process is reliable, it can sometimes involve navigating complex forms, which can be frustrating for business owners with little time to spare.

FastFilings offers a simpler, more convenient solution for busy business owners who need to obtain their certificate quickly and efficiently. Our user-friendly ordering platform streamlines the procedure, eliminating unnecessary steps and ensuring that your request is processed accurately. 

With FastFilings, there’s no need to spend time figuring out state processes—we take care of the details for you, allowing you to focus on running your business while we handle most of the paperwork. Whether you need a Certificate of Status for legal, financial, or operational purposes, FastFilings makes the process hassle-free.

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Ensuring Your California Business Qualifies for Good Standing

Failure to File Required Reports

California businesses are required to file certain reports with the state, such as the annual or biennial Statement of Information for corporations. Missing these deadlines can result in penalties and, eventually, the suspension of the business’s good standing. Additionally, businesses must comply with filing requirements imposed by the Franchise Tax Board (FTB), including submitting necessary tax returns and related information. Failure to meet these obligations puts the business at risk of losing its active status.

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Failure to Pay Fees or Taxes

Businesses in California must also pay an annual franchise tax to the Franchise Tax Board, along with any applicable fees for reports, renewals, or amendments. Neglecting to pay these financial obligations on time can lead to severe consequences, including fines, suspension, or forfeiture of good standing status. Ensuring timely payment of all required taxes and fees is essential to maintaining compliance with state laws.

Lapsed Registered Agent

Every business in California is required to have a registered agent for service of process. If the registered agent resigns and the business does not appoint a replacement or fails to keep the registered agent’s information current, the state may consider the business non-compliant. This lapse can trigger penalties and jeopardize the business’s good standing.

Non-Compliance with State Laws

Operating within regulated industries requires businesses to comply with specific laws and standards. Any failure to meet these legal obligations, such as violating regulations or neglecting to renew mandatory licenses, can lead to fines or other penalties. Furthermore, businesses that operate without proper local, state, or industry-specific licenses risk falling out of good standing with the state.

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Administrative Dissolution or Suspension

If the California Secretary of State or the Franchise Tax Board determines that a business is persistently non-compliant, it may face administrative suspension or dissolution. Such action effectively halts the business’s ability to operate, enter into contracts, or pursue legal actions within the state.

Failure to Respond to Notices

Ignoring correspondence from state agencies, including notices about overdue filings or payments, is another way businesses can lose their good standing. Timely responses to such communications are critical to maintaining compliance and avoiding penalties or suspension.

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Do You Need a Certificate of Good Standing in CA?

A California Certificate of Good Standing is not required for a business’s day-to-day operations. However, it can be used to prove certain facts relating to a business entity’s current legal status, such as:

  • Whether the organization is currently registered with the State of California
  • Whether the organization is current on all required filings with the Secretary of State   
  • Whether the organization is current on all required filings with the Franchise Tax Board

In addition, this document is required to participate in a number of specific business activities, including but not limited to the following:

  • Opening a business bank account
  • Opening a business credit line 
  • Obtaining a business loan
  • Renewing a business license
  • Establishing an additional business location in another state
  • Proving good standing status in a court of law

It’s always a good idea to have one of these documents on hand—you never know when you might need it. Even if you operate just a small limited liability company, your California LLC Certificate of Good Standing should be kept among your important business files.

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How Fast Filings Can Help With Your California Certificate of Good Standing

If you would like to order one of these documents, it’s always possible to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing from the California Secretary of State directly. However, there’s an easier way to get your State of California Certificate of Good Standing—through FastFilings. We’re a private B2B company whose mission is to simplify the process of ordering licenses, permits, and other types of government-issued documents. 

At FastFilings, we understand that dealing with government forms and processes can be overwhelming and time-consuming. That’s why we’ve created a streamlined, user-friendly platform designed to help businesses obtain essential documents like the California Certificate of Good Standing quickly and without hassle. Here’s why so many businesses trust FastFilings for their document needs:

  • Error-Checked Applications: Every order submitted through our platform is carefully reviewed for errors to ensure accuracy. This minimizes the risk of rejection by the state, saving you time and frustration.
  • Quick and Easy Process: Completing our online application takes under five minutes. We’ve designed the process to be intuitive, so you can focus on your business while we handle the details.
  • Time-Saving Convenience: Skip the long wait times and complicated instructions associated with state procedures. FastFilings takes care of the paperwork, so you don’t have to.
  • Clear Pricing with No Hidden Fees: We provide transparent pricing for our services, so you know exactly what you’re paying for upfront.
  • Expert Guidance: Our platform is backed by a team of experts who specialize in navigating state compliance requirements. We ensure your request is processed correctly the first time.
  • Reliable Updates: Stay informed with timely updates on the status of your order. We keep you in the loop from start to finish.
  • Stress-Free Experience: Our mission is to take the stress and confusion out of ordering government-issued documents. With FastFilings, you can rest assured your application is in good hands.
  • Focus on Your Business: Let us handle the administrative complexities so you can concentrate on running and growing your business.

FastFilings is here to make obtaining a Secretary of State Good Standing certificate as simple and efficient as possible. Choose us for a hassle-free experience!

About Us

Fast Filings is a private permit, license and other government document filing service. We offer filing services and document assistance services for various personal and business filings needs. Whether you need to renew a passport, or your business needs a permit or license to operate, we are here to help. We perform government filings and prepare government documents, but we are not a government agency. You may file on your own directly with the issuing government office and avoid our service fee if you’d like.

Our goal is to help you avoid the hassle and headache with preparing or filing government documents on your own. We error check and rush all orders.

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