Corporation Certificate of Good Standing
Certificate of Good Standing for any U.S. corporation — C-corp, S-corp, or professional corporation. Confirms the corporation is properly incorporated, current on annual reports and franchise tax, and authorized to conduct business. Required for nearly every bank loan, commercial lease, foreign qualification, and M&A or financing transaction.
What keeps a corporation in good standing
Corporation compliance is generally heavier than LLC compliance because corporations have additional shareholder, officer, and director recordkeeping obligations. The state-level items the SOS verifies before issuing a Certificate of Good Standing:
- · Annual report filed (most states require this from corporations even if LLCs are exempt)
- · Franchise tax paid — Delaware franchise tax in particular can be substantial
- · Registered agent on file with a physical in-state address
- · Officer and director records — many states require listing of officers in the annual report
- · Authorized shares kept current (Delaware in particular)
The classic startup C-corp
The vast majority of venture-funded startups are incorporated as Delaware C-corporations. Delaware offers a Short Form ($75 all-in) for routine compliance and a Long Form ($200 all-in) for M&A diligence, capital raises, and IPO prep. The Long Form is the document venture and acquisition counsel ask for. We pull both directly from the Delaware Division of Corporations.
Corporation certificate questions
Get your corporation's Certificate of Good Standing.
From $50. Delaware Long Form available. State fees included.