What Is a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing?

A Delaware Certificate of Good Standing, which is also called a Certificate of Existence, is an official document of the State of Delaware. This Certificate of Good Standing is printed on special paper and signifies a number of particular factors concerning the registered business entity. It is signed by the Secretary of State of Delaware. The Certificate of Good Standing is a legal document that shows that the entity (regardless of the type of organization) is in good standing with the State of Delaware. A Delaware Certificate of Good Standing is an official document produced by the Delaware Secretary of State that shows your corporation or LLC has met its statutory requirements (filed all reviews and paid all charges) and is permitted to do business.

What Is in the Delaware Certificate of Good Standing?

The Delaware Certificate of Good Standing lists the incorporation date, good standing for a corporation or LLC, and whether or not taxes are outstanding for a corporation or LLC. Sometimes a Certificate of Good Standing is required to open a company checking account, buy or promote real property, receive a mortgage, receive a Certificate of Authority to function in another state, merge with another firm, or more. For proof that an organization is in good standing, authorities will usually settle for this certificate as proof that the business has been legitimate for 30-60 days after the issue date shown on the document. After 60 days, however, a brand new Certificate of Good Standing may have to be ordered.

How To Order a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing

To request the Certificate of Good Standing, you can use the state template, or you can simply use a business letterhead to request a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing. If you are doing this on your own, some agencies suggest faxing the request to the Delaware Division of Corporations at 302-739-3812, indicating your organization data, name, entity number, and card payment. You may also send your inquiry to this address:

Delaware Division of Corporations
401 Federal Street STE 4
Dover, DE 19901

If your organization owes Delaware Franchise Taxes, they have to be paid in full in order to request a Certificate of Good Standing. While most certificates of good standing in other states are free, you’ll find that this certificate has associated fees and costs in Delaware.

An organization should file an Annual Report listing its administrators. Usually, some companies can produce the Certificate of Good Standing within just a few minutes. Many states require the Certificate of Good Standing as supporting documentation when submitting a Certificate of Authority to the business’s home state to change it into a registered foreign corporation or foreign LLC.

Costs

To see the status of your business’s Certificate of Good Standing from the Delaware Division of Corporations, you will have to pay $10 on their website. For those who don’t wish to pay, contact the state to confirm. The certificate itself will cost $50. It may take a while for you to receive the document.

Is Your Business In Good Standing?

Corporations that don't meet the Delaware requirements cannot move forward with conducting business, and they're considered to be not in good standing with the State of Delaware. Your search to make sure your LLC or company remains in good standing with the State of Delaware could start immediately on the State of Delaware’s website.

The Delaware website only provides restricted details about entities that have been incorporated in this state. It is possible for you to find out the exact name of the entity, the Delaware state file number, the formation date, the type of entity, the residency, and the main Registered Agent within the Delaware website for security reasons. The Delaware website only provides the fundamental particulars about the entity and doesn’t reveal any additional information relating to the business. Regarding the search outcomes, the State of Delaware website openly states, "This is not a statement of good standing." Therefore, do not assume that just because you see your business name on the website that you have a Certificate of Good Standing.

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