What is a North Carolina Good Standing Certificate and why do I need one?

A North Carolina Good Standing Certificate is a one-page document issued by the North Carolina Secretary of State which includes information which indicates whether or not a business is allowed to legally conduct business in the state of North Carolina.

A NC Good Standing Certificate is often required for loans, to renew business licenses, or for tax or other business purposes in the state of North Carolina or in any other state. One of the most common reasons that ypu might need a NC Good Standing Certificate is to apply to do business in a state other than North Carolina.

See our  North Carolina Good Standing Information  page if you would like more specific information.

OTHER NAMES FOR A NORTH CAROLINA GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE

  • NC Certificate of Authority
  • NC Certificate of Status
  • NC Certificate of Subsistence
  • NC Certificate of Qualification
  • NC Certificate of Compliance
  • NC Certificate of Standing
  • NC Certificate of Authorization
  • NC Certificate of Fact
  • NC Letter of Good Standing
  • NC Letter of Status
  • NC Good Standing Certificate

Example of a North Carolina Certificate of Good Standing

Example of a North Carolina Good Standing Certificate

What does it say on a North Carolina Good Standing Certificate?

I SECRETARY OF STATE NAME, Secretary of State of the State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that COMPANY NAME is a North Carolina Corporation registered to transact business in North Carolina on FORMATION DATE. I further certify that all fees and documents required by the Secretary of State's office have been received and is in good standing as far as this office is concerned.

PLEASE NOTE: In North Carolina a Good Standing Certificate is called a Certificate of Existence. This sometimes causes confusion when the requesting party, commonly the Secretary of State in another state besides North Carolina, requests a "Good Standing Certificate". In these cases a North Carolina Certificate of Existence will fulfill the requirements for a North Carolina Good Standing Certificate.

NORTH CAROLINA GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE
COST CALCULATOR

Priority certificate IN HAND in 2-3 hours

NC Company Options

CORPORATION

  •    Priority - $77.00 - (2-3 hours)*
  •    Regular - $51.00 - (next business day)

LLC / LLP / LP

  •    Priority - $77.00 - (2-3 hours)*
  •    Regular - $51.00 - (next business day)

Delivery Options


  •    USPS First Class - free
  •    USPS Priority Mail - $15.00
  •    USPS Express Mail - $35.00

  •    Scanned email copy - $10
    (Included with Priority order)
Choose options.
Cost is updated automatically.
Order  North Carolina Certificate of Existence Order  North Carolina Good Standing Certificate
Secure Online Business Services for all States

How much does it cost for a North Carolina Certificate of Good Standing?

Total cost for a North Carolina Good Standing Certificate depends on the type of company and how fast you need the Certificate. Choose your options on our North Carolina Good Standing Certificate Cost Calculator to determine exactly how much your Certificate will cost. With our North Carolina Good Standing Certificate services there are no hidden charges, surprise fees or any sign-ups required to get your Certificate.
*next and same day service for orders received before 1 PM North Carolina time (excludes weekends and holidays). Priority price includes scanned and emailed copy of North Carolina Good Standing Certificate and USPS First Class delivery.

PLEASE NOTE: We have no control over and cannot guarantee North Carolina Secretary of State processing times.

Need a North Carolina Good Standing Certificate to register your NC Company in another state?

A Corporation, LLC, LP or LLP that is registered in the state of North Carolina may require a North Carolina Good Standing Certificate to qualify as a "Foreign Corporation" in a state other than North Carolina.

A Foreign Corporation is a Corporation that is registered with a state agency, usually the Secretary of State, in one state and has the Authority to do business in another state. For example, a Corporation registered in the state of California that plans to do business in the state of North Carolina is a "Domestic Corporation" in California and a "Foreign Corporation" in the state of North Carolina.

Need a North Carolina Certificate of Good Standing for a NC Attorney?

If you are a North Carolina Attorney or if you need to find out if a North Carolina Attorney is in Good Standing with the highest court in the state of North Carolina, then you will need a Good Standing Certificate from the North Carolina Supreme Court.

If you are a North Carolina Attorney who plans to practice in the US District Court system then you may need a Good Standing Certificate from the U.S. District Court for District of North Carolina.

Need a North Carolina Good Standing Certificate for NC Tax Compliance?

If you need to verify that all outstanding tax liabilities for a North Carolina Corporation or North Carolina LLC have been paid then you need a North Carolina Tax Status Compliance Certificate.

A North Carolina Tax Status Compliance Certificate is issued by the North Carolina Department of Revenue and is sometimes called a Tax Clearance Certificate, an Entity Status Letter, a Certificate of Account Status or a Tax Good Standing Certificate.

NORTH CAROLINA STATE CONTACT INFORMATION

NORTH CAROLINA BUSINESS SERVICES

GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE INFORMATION FOR ANY STATE

North Carolina Secretary of State
  • PO Box 29622
  • Raleigh, NC 27626-0622
  • Tel:  919-807-2225

North Carolina Department of Revenue

North Carolina Department of Labor