DE Certificate of Good Standing: How to Obtain and Use It

Key Takeaways

• A DE Certificate of Good Standing (also called a Certificate of Status or Certificate of Existence) confirms that your Delaware LLC or corporation is legally compliant and authorized to do business.
• You’ll typically need this certificate to open bank accounts, secure financing, complete mergers, or register to do business in another state.
• The certificate is issued by the Delaware Secretary of State’s Division of Corporations and verifies that all annual franchise taxes and reports are up to date.
• Delaware charges a $50 state fee, plus any optional expedited processing fees.
• Certificates are valid for about 60 days and can be ordered online, by mail, fax, or in person through the Division of Corporations.
• You cannot view a company’s status in Delaware for free — verifying good standing or ordering the certificate requires a paid search.

Certificate of Good Standing in Delaware

A certificate of good standing Delaware LLC is a document that comes from the state of Delaware giving permission for the LLC to business. This certificate is also referred to as the certificate of existence. When an LLC holds an active certificate, this means that the business is not overdue on any of its annual tax reports or franchise taxes. Overall, this document states that a business is in good standing with Delaware. 

You might also hear the certificate of good standing referred to as the authority to conduct business. An LLC owner will receive this electronically from the state of Delaware, as long as you pay the required fees on time. Another name for this document is the certificate of status. A paper copy of this certificate will be printed on special paper and include some specific information about the business. It will also bear the Secretary of State's signature.

The certificate includes the good standing status for an LLC or corporation, along with information about the date of incorporation and if the business is current on its payment of taxes. If anyone needs to see the proof of business status for your LLC, you need to obtain a certificate of good standing from the state of Delaware.

You will usually need to show your LLC's certificate of good standing before you can:

• Engage in a business merger
• Buy or sell any real estate
• Open a business bank account
• Get a certificate of authority, which allows the LLC to operate in another state
• Receive a business loan

The certificate of good standing will verify that the LLC listed is authorized to do business in Delaware as of the issue date, so you can typically use the same certificate for up to 60 days after it was issued. After 60 days, you may need a new certificate of good standing to qualify for loans or other business transactions. Since a certificate of good standing does have some time sensitivities, it's smart to wait to order one until you have need for it or someone asks for it.

Only businesses that are in good standing in Delaware will receive the certificate. Any business that is behind on paying its franchise taxes to the state of Delaware must be caught up before a certificate of good standing will be available. You can look at the database on the state of Delaware website to figure out your business entity's status.

You can also learn more by contacting the Division of Corporations, Delaware Secretary of State:

John G Townsend Building

401 Federal Street

Dover, DE 19901

(302)739-3073 phone

(302)739-3812 fax

[email protected]

Delaware is unique in that it's one of the only states where you cannot get the status information about a business entity without paying. The state relies on taxes and fees brought in from LLCs and corporations operating in the state of Delaware. As a result, much of the information available for free in other states will come with a cost in Delaware. For example, looking up the business entity's status on the Division of Corporations site will cost a $10 fee. 

One option to get around the fee is contacting the office by phone and asking whether any franchise tax is owed by your LLC. If the representative you speak to informs you that the LLC is up-to-date on franchise taxes, the status will be good.

Why the DE Certificate of Good Standing Matters

A DE Certificate of Good Standing is more than just a formality — it serves as official evidence that your business complies with Delaware law. Financial institutions, investors, and other states often require this certificate before conducting business with your company. It reassures third parties that your LLC or corporation has paid all franchise taxes, filed all required reports, and maintained its registered agent in the state.

Businesses typically need this document when:

• Applying for loans or business lines of credit.
• Registering to operate in another state (foreign qualification).
• Entering mergers, acquisitions, or asset sales.
• Renewing professional licenses or government contracts.

Delaware’s long-standing reputation as a business-friendly jurisdiction makes the certificate especially credible to national and international stakeholders.

Delaware Certificate Types

When requesting a DE Certificate of Good Standing, you can choose among several related options issued by the Secretary of State:

• Short Form Certificate of Good Standing: Confirms that the business exists and is in good standing.
• Long Form Certificate of Good Standing: Provides additional details, including the date of incorporation, amendments, and filing history.
• Certified Copy of Certificate of Incorporation or LLC Formation: Commonly requested along with the good standing certificate to prove formation details.

Selecting the right type depends on the recipient’s requirements. For example, banks often accept the short form, while foreign states or government entities may need the long form.

How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing from the Delaware Secretary of State?

A certificate of good standing is available to order in person, by mail, or by fax. To order your certificate by mail, complete and include the required order form, along with a request cover letter that includes your daytime phone number in case any questions come up. To order your certificate by fax, complete and include the required order form, along with a fax cover sheet with your daytime phone number. To order your certificate in person, bring your order form to the office. Expedited processing is only available when you pay the required priority fee.

Upon completing the order process, you will receive your certificate of good standing via the regular mail. However, you can request expedited shipping if you include a FedEx or UPS account number or a prepaid and self-addressed envelope.

Steps to Order a DE Certificate of Good Standing Online

The fastest and most convenient way to obtain your certificate is through the Delaware Division of Corporations online system. Here’s how:

1. Visit the Delaware Division of Corporations website.
   Navigate to the “Document Upload Service” or “Online Services” section.
2. Provide your business entity details.
   Include your file number or exact business name as registered.
3. Select the document type.
   Choose “Certificate of Good Standing” and specify if you want expedited service.
4. Pay the applicable fee.
   The state fee is $50 for regular processing. Expedited options cost extra — typically $100 for same-day service or $50 for 24-hour service.
5. Receive your certificate.
   Electronic delivery is available within 24 to 48 hours for standard processing or faster if expedited.

You can also order by mail, fax, or in person. In all cases, you must provide a cover letter with your daytime phone number and return address. For physical copies, the Division can return the certificate via regular mail, FedEx, or UPS if you supply your account number.

Delaware Certificate Fees and Processing Times

The Delaware Division of Corporations charges the following for certificates:

All fees are nonrefundable once processing begins. For payment, Delaware accepts checks, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express), or account billing for frequent users.

How Long a DE Certificate of Good Standing Remains Valid

A DE Certificate of Good Standing doesn’t technically expire, but most institutions consider it valid for 60 to 90 days from the date of issue. If you are using it for banking, licensing, or cross-state registration, confirm the recipient’s validity window before submission.

It’s wise to order your certificate only when needed, since Delaware business status can change if taxes or reports fall overdue.

How to Verify a Delaware Business Before Ordering

Before purchasing a certificate, you can verify your Delaware entity’s standing. The Division of Corporations offers a paid entity search that costs $10 per lookup. This service provides current standing and the file number needed to order a certificate.Alternatively, you can call the Division to confirm whether franchise taxes are current. Only entities in full compliance can receive a certificate.

What Happens if Your Delaware LLC Is Not in Good Standing

If your Delaware LLC or corporation is not in good standing, it usually means:

• Franchise taxes or annual reports are past due.
• The registered agent has resigned or been revoked.
• Required state filings are incomplete.

To restore good standing, pay outstanding taxes and file missing reports. Once resolved, you can request reinstatement and obtain your certificate. Failure to maintain good standing can lead to loss of legal protections, inability to sue in Delaware courts, or even administrative dissolution.

Using a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing in Other States

If your Delaware LLC or corporation expands outside Delaware, you’ll need the certificate to register as a foreign entity in other states. Most Secretary of State offices require a certificate dated within 60 days of filing your foreign qualification.

Additionally, many banks and licensing agencies outside Delaware accept the DE Certificate of Good Standing as proof of your company’s existence and compliance in its home jurisdiction.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a DE Certificate of Good Standing used for?
   It proves your Delaware business is legally compliant and current on taxes and filings — often required for banking, loans, or registering in another state.
2. How much does a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing cost?
   The standard state fee is $50, with expedited options ranging from $50 to $1,000 depending on processing speed.
3. How long is a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing valid?
   Most organizations accept certificates issued within 60 to 90 days of submission.
4. Can I order my certificate online?
   Yes. Delaware allows online, mail, fax, or in-person requests through the Division of Corporations website.
5. What if my business isn’t in good standing?
   You’ll need to pay any overdue franchise taxes and file missing annual reports before Delaware can issue your certificate.

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