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

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

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

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

OTHER NAMES FOR A CALIFORNIA GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE

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

Example of a California Certificate of Good Standing

Example of a California Good Standing Certificate

What does it say on a California Good Standing Certificate?

I SECRETARY OF STATE NAME, Secretary of State of the State of California, do hereby certify that COMPANY NAME is a California Corporation registered to transact business in California 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.

CALIFORNIA GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE
COST CALCULATOR

Priority certificate IN HAND in 2-3 hours

CA Company Options

CORPORATION

  •    Priority - $58.00 - (2-3 hours)*
  •    Regular - $38.00 - (next business day)

LLC / LP only - LLPs could take longer

  •    Priority - $58.00 - (2-3 hours)*
  •    Regular - $38.00 - (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.
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How much does it cost for a California Certificate of Good Standing?

Total cost for a California Good Standing Certificate depends on the type of company and how fast you need the Certificate. Choose your options on our California Good Standing Certificate Cost Calculator to determine exactly how much your Certificate will cost. With our California 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 California time (excludes weekends and holidays). Priority price includes scanned and emailed copy of California Good Standing Certificate and USPS First Class delivery.

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

Need a California Good Standing Certificate to register your CA Company in another state?

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

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 California is a "Domestic Corporation" in California and a "Foreign Corporation" in the state of California.

Need a California Certificate of Good Standing for a CA Attorney?

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

If you are a California 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 California.

Need a California Good Standing Certificate for CA Tax Compliance?

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

In California a Tax Status Compliance Certificate is called a Entity Status Letter. A California Entity Status Letter is issued by the California Franchise Tax Board and is sometimes called a Tax Clearance Certificate, an Entity Status Letter, a Certificate of Account Status or a Tax Good Standing Certificate.

CALIFORNIA STATE CONTACT INFORMATION

CALIFORNIA BUSINESS SERVICES

GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE INFORMATION FOR ANY STATE

California Secretary of State
  • 1500 11th Street
  • Sacramento, CA 95814
  • Tel:  916-653-6814

California Franchise Tax Board
  • 3321 Power Inn Rd
  • Sacramento, CA 95826-3893
  • Tel:  800-852-5711
  • Website:
  •   www.ftb.ca.gov

California Labor & Workforce Development Agency
  • 800 Capitol Mall
  • Sacramento, CA 95814
  • Tel:  844-522-6734
  • Website:
  •   www.labor.ca.gov/