What is a District of Columbia Good Standing Certificate and why do I need one?

A District of Columbia Good Standing Certificate is a one-page document issued by the District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs which includes information which indicates whether or not a business is allowed to legally conduct business in the state of District of Columbia.

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

See our  District of Columbia Good Standing Information  page if you would like more specific information.

OTHER NAMES FOR A DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE

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

Example of a District of Columbia Certificate of Good Standing

Example of a District of Columbia Good Standing Certificate

What does it say on a District of Columbia Good Standing Certificate?

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

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE
COST CALCULATOR

Priority certificate IN HAND in 2-3 hours

DC Company Options

CORPORATION

  •    Priority - $200.00 - (2-3 hours)*
  •    Regular - $100.00 - (1-2 business days)

LLC / LLP / LP

  •    Priority - $200.00 - (2-3 hours)*
  •    Regular - $100.00 - (1-2 business days)

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 District of Columbia Certificate of Good Standing?

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

PLEASE NOTE: We have no control over and cannot guarantee District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs processing times.

Need a District of Columbia Good Standing Certificate to register your DC Company in another state?

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

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

Need a District of Columbia Certificate of Good Standing for a DC Attorney?

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

If you are a District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia.

Need a District of Columbia Good Standing Certificate for DC Tax Compliance?

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

In District of Columbia a Tax Status Compliance Certificate is called a Clean Hands Certificate. A District of Columbia Clean Hands Certificate is issued by the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue and is sometimes called a Tax Clearance Certificate, an Entity Status Letter, a Certificate of Account Status or a Tax Good Standing Certificate.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA STATE CONTACT INFORMATION

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BUSINESS SERVICES

GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE INFORMATION FOR ANY STATE

District of Columbia Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs
  • 1100 4th Street, SW
  • Washington, DC 20024
  • Tel:  202-442-4400
  • Email:
  •   dcra@dc.gov

District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue

District of Columbia Department of Employment Services