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

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

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

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

OTHER NAMES FOR A PENNSYLVANIA GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE

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

Example of a Pennsylvania Certificate of Good Standing

Example of a Pennsylvania Good Standing Certificate

What does it say on a Pennsylvania Good Standing Certificate?

I SECRETARY OF STATE NAME, Secretary of State of the State of Pennsylvania, do hereby certify that COMPANY NAME is a Pennsylvania Corporation registered to transact business in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania a Good Standing Certificate is called a Certificate of Subsistence. This sometimes causes confusion when the requesting party, commonly the Secretary of State in another state besides Pennsylvania, requests a "Good Standing Certificate". In these cases a Pennsylvania Certificate of Subsistence will fulfill the requirements for a Pennsylvania Good Standing Certificate.

PENNSYLVANIA GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE
COST CALCULATOR

Priority certificate IN HAND in 2-3 hours

PA Company Options

CORPORATION

  •    Priority - $104.00 - (2-3 hours)*
  •    Regular - $74.00 - (next business day)

LLC / LLP / LP

  •    Priority - $104.00 - (2-3 hours)*
  •    Regular - $74.00 - (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 Pennsylvania Certificate of Good Standing?

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

PLEASE NOTE: We have no control over and cannot guarantee Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth processing times.

Need a Pennsylvania Good Standing Certificate to register your PA Company in another state?

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

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

Need a Pennsylvania Certificate of Good Standing for a PA Attorney?

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

If you are a Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.

Need a Pennsylvania Good Standing Certificate for PA Tax Compliance?

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

In Pennsylvania a Tax Status Compliance Certificate is called a Application for Tax Clearance. A Pennsylvania Application for Tax Clearance is issued by the Pennsylvania 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.

PENNSYLVANIA STATE CONTACT INFORMATION

PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS SERVICES

GOOD STANDING CERTIFICATE INFORMATION FOR ANY STATE

Pennsylvania Secretary of State
  • 401 North Street
  • Harrisburg, PA 17120
  • Tel:  717-787-6458

Pennsylvania Department of Revenue

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry