A certificate of good standing is an official document from the state where your company was formed, confirming it legally exists and is up to date with the state's filing and tax requirements. Banks, lenders, investors and other states often ask for one, and depending on the state it may be called a certificate of status, a certificate of existence or a certificate of fact.
I've taken the details from the Delaware Division of Corporations, the California Secretary of State and the Texas Secretary of State, all read in October 2026. The insight that saves people a wasted order is in the Texas section: in Texas there are two different certificates that both get called good standing, from two different offices.
Why you'd need one
- Opening a business bank account or applying for a loan.
- Registering to do business in another state, which usually asks for a certificate from your home state.
- Selling the business, raising investment or signing a large contract.
- Renewing some licences or bidding for government work.
Many banks and states want a recently dated certificate, so order it close to when you need it rather than months ahead.
Names and options in three key states
| State | What it's called | How to get it | Fee (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Certificate of Status or Certificate of Good Standing | Written request to the Division of Corporations | $50 short form, $175 long form |
| California | Certificate of Status | Online at bizfileOnline, within minutes | See the bizfileOnline order page |
| Texas | Certificate of fact, status (Secretary of State) | Order from the Secretary of State's Corporations Section | See the Secretary of State's fee schedule |
Delaware: short form or long form
Delaware offers two certified versions. The short form certificate of status, at $50, gives the entity's name and its status at the time the certificate is issued. The long form certificate of good standing, at $175, also lists all the documents the company has filed. Many requests only need the short form, so ask before paying for the long one.
Delaware also runs Corporate Status Online, where you can check an entity's status for $10, or $20 for more detail including the current franchise tax assessment and filing history. The Division is clear that this check won't generate an official certificate of good standing, so don't hand a screenshot to a bank.
California: the certificate of status
The California Secretary of State issues a Certificate of Status, available within minutes online at bizfileOnline. It certifies the entity's current status, such as active or good standing, suspended, dissolved or cancelled. If your status comes back as suspended, a missed filing or unpaid tax is often behind it, and you'll need to fix that before you can get a clean certificate. Keeping your Statement of Information current is part of that, which I cover in my Statement of Information guide.
Texas: two certificates, one name
Here's the trap. The Texas Secretary of State explains that the phrase certificate of good standing is sometimes used for a document from the Texas Comptroller about the entity's franchise tax account status. The Comptroller no longer uses that name and now calls it a certificate of account status. That's a different document from the Secretary of State's certificate of fact, status, which is the official evidence of an entity's existence or authority to do business in Texas and gives its status, current legal name and formation date.
| Texas document | Issued by | What it proves |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of fact, status | Secretary of State | The entity exists or is authorised to do business in Texas |
| Certificate of account status | Comptroller of Public Accounts | The entity's franchise tax account status |
Ask whoever wants the certificate which one they mean. A lender checking you exist wants the Secretary of State's version. Someone checking your tax position may want the Comptroller's. Staying current on franchise tax is covered in my Texas franchise tax guide.
How to get one, step by step
- Confirm which state's certificate is needed, usually the state of formation.
- Ask whether they want a short form or a long form, if the state offers both.
- Check your company's status first, and clear any overdue reports or taxes.
- Order from the state's own filing office, online where offered.
- Pay the state fee and download or receive the certificate.
- Send it promptly, since many recipients want a recent date.
Losing good standing
Companies usually fall out of good standing by missing an annual report, a franchise tax payment or a required update. In Delaware, for example, a corporation reinstating its status to good standing must file its annual report and pay any tax due. A registered agent will forward state notices, which is one reason to keep one on file. My registered agent guide explains the role.
My verdict
A certificate of good standing is cheap and quick when your filings are up to date, and impossible to get when they aren't. Keep your annual reports and taxes current, order from the state's own office, and in Texas check whether you need the Secretary of State's certificate or the Comptroller's before you order.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a certificate of good standing?
It's an official state document confirming a company exists and is up to date with the state's filing and tax requirements.
How much is a certificate of good standing in Delaware?
As of October 2026, $50 for a short form certificate of status and $175 for a long form certificate of good standing.
What is a certificate of good standing called in California?
The California Secretary of State issues a Certificate of Status, available online at bizfileOnline within minutes.
What is a certificate of good standing in Texas?
Usually the Secretary of State's certificate of fact, status. The Comptroller issues a separate certificate of account status for franchise tax.
Is Delaware's online status check a certificate?
No. The Division of Corporations says Corporate Status Online won't generate an official certificate of good standing.
How long does a certificate of good standing take?
In California, a Certificate of Status is available within minutes online. Delaware's certified certificates are ordered by written request.
How do I get back into good standing?
File any overdue reports and pay any tax due. In Delaware, reinstatement requires the annual report and all tax owed.
