How To Get A Delaware Certificate Of Good Standing
If you have a Delaware LLC or corporation, there will be times when you will need to check the company’s status and obtain a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing.
In this article, we’ll discuss some key details of Delaware Good Standing Certificates, including how to secure one for your Delaware company, the costs involved, and the reasons why you may need one.
Fast Delaware Certificate of Good Standing
You can get a Certificate of Good Standing for your Delaware LLC or corporation from a Delaware Commercial Registered Agent. A service like IncNow can secure a Certificate of Good Standing from the Delaware Secretary of State on the same day you place your order.
Order a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing by heading to IncNow’s user-friendly online order form. Provide some information about your company, submit your order, and IncNow can obtain the Certificate from the Delaware Secretary of State the same day.
You can also order a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing by phone or email:
Call IncNow to order at Call: 1-800-759-22481-800-759-2248
Email IncNow to order at agents@incnow.com.
How Much Does A Delaware Certificate of Good Standing Cost?
Some Delaware Registered Agent services, like IncNow, charge $99 to obtain a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing. Additionally, the Delaware Secretary of State charges Registered Agents a $50 fee for these Certificates.
What Is A Delaware Certificate of Good Standing?
A Delaware Certificate of Good Standing is an important business document providing proof that a company is legally compliant in Delaware. The Delaware Secretary of State signs the Certificate and certifies that the company is in “good standing” status with the state. Being in good standing means that the company:
A.) Actually exists and was legally formed in Delaware, and
B.) Has met all its legal responsibilities in Delaware, including paying state franchise taxes and filing Annual Reports.
Other Names For Good Standing Certificates
This “status certificate” for companies is called different names depending on the state. Some states call this Certificate a:
- Certificate of Good Standing,
- Certificate of Existence, or
- Certificate of Authorization.
Each of these names refers to a type of document which certifies that a company is active and in compliance with state laws.
Why Do I Need A Certificate of Good Standing From Delaware?
A Delaware Certificate of Good Standing is an important document proving your company is legally permitted to conduct business. You will need this Certificate for a number of business activities for your Delaware company, including:
- Opening a business bank account,
- Registering to do business in other states,
- Obtaining business loans and securing financing,
- Purchasing business insurance,
- Buying real estate, and more.
Requirements For A Delaware Certificate of Good Standing
Your Delaware company needs to be in good standing in order to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing from the Delaware Secretary of State. Here are the essential requirements Delaware companies need to meet to maintain good standing:
#1) Pay The Delaware Annual Franchise Tax On Time
Delaware companies need to pay their Delaware Annual Franchise Tax before the deadline to keep their good standing status. Delaware corporations need to pay their franchise tax by March 1st each year, and Delaware LLCs need to pay by June 1st.
Franchise tax payments can be submitted on the Delaware Division of Corporations website at corp.delaware.gov. You can also get help from services like defrantax.com.
#2) Have A Delaware Registered Agent
Every company in Delaware is required to have a Registered Agent within the state at all times. Your Delaware company will lose its good standing if it does not have a Registered Agent appointed in the state system. Even worse, the Delaware Secretary of State will administratively dissolve the company if you go without a Registered Agent for more than 30 days.
#3) File Annual Reports Each Year
This requirement is specific to Delaware corporations, not LLCs. Delaware law mandates that corporations file an Annual Report alongside their Annual Franchise Tax payment.
The Delaware Annual Report must include details about the company’s officers and directors, including their names and addresses.
Delaware Certificate of Good Standing FAQs
Find answers to your questions about Delaware Certificates of Good Standings and Good Standing Certificates.
What Information Is On A Certificate of Good Standing?
A Certificate of Good Standing, also known as a Certificate of Existence, typically contains the following details about a company:
- The company’s legal name,
- The company legal structure (LLC, corporation, or other entity type),
- The state of formation,
- The date the company was formed, and
- The date that the Certificate was issued.
What Does A Delaware Certificate of Good Standing Say?
A Delaware Certificate of Good Standing includes a short message from the Delaware Secretary of State. It states that the entity is officially recognized under Delaware law and is in good standing as of a specific date. The document ends with a digital seal and the Secretary of State’s signature at the bottom.
How Long Does it Take to Get A Certificate of Good Standing In Delaware?
IncNow can quickly get a Certificate of Good Standing from the Delaware Secretary of State. If you place your order before 4 PM Eastern time, we can send it to you on the same business day. The Delaware Secretary of State provides these Certificates as digital PDFs.
How Long Is A Delaware Certificate of Good Standing Good For?
Certificates of Good Standing from the Delaware Secretary of State don’t have an expiration date. But the requirement for how recent they need to be can vary depending on the situation. Usually, banks need to see a Certificate of Good Standing issued within the last 30 to 60 days to open a bank account.
For foreign qualification processes, most states will ask for a Certificate of Good Standing that’s been issued in the last 30 days.
What Is A Certificate of Existence?
A Certificate of Existence is essentially the same as a Certificate of Good Standing. It’s just another term some states use for the document that verifies a company’s good standing status.
