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LLC PlainlyThe LLC stuff, in words you actually use.

Jargon buster

Certificate of good standing, in plain words

The home state's note that your LLC is in good order. Other states often want it first.
From the LLC Plainly editorial team

Quick facts

Other names
Some states call it a certificate of existence
See also
Foreign registration and then Annual report and then Foreign LLC

What to do about it

Order it from your home state close to when you need it, because many states only accept a recent one.

How states handle it

A certificate is part of the foreign registration in 36 states. 60 days is the typical cutoff, in 11 states.

Keep reading

We use it in these answers: Starting an LLC: every state, Do you need an agent? By state, Second-state registration by state.

Sources, with dates

  1. commerce.alaska.gov: the page for Form 08-0497, Certificate of Registration, seen October 2026
  2. akleg.gov: the page for Alaska Statutes, AS 10.50.600 to, seen October 2026
  3. akleg.gov: the page for Alaska Statutes, AS 10.50.675 to, seen October 2026
  4. akleg.gov: the page for Alaska Statutes, AS 10.50.750 to, seen October 2026
  5. akleg.gov: the page for Alaska Statutes, AS 43.70.020 to, seen October 2026
  6. azcc.gov: the page for Arizona Corporation Commission, LLC forms, seen October 2026
  7. azcc.gov: the page for Form L025 instructions, seen October 2026
  8. azcc.gov: the page for Commission LLC fee schedule, seen October 2026
  9. azleg.gov: the page for A.R.S. 29-3903, registration of foreign, seen October 2026
  10. azleg.gov: the page for A.R.S. 29-3905, activities that are, seen October 2026
  11. azcc.gov: the page for Arizona Corporation Commission FAQs, seen October 2026
  12. sos.arkansas.gov: the page for Arkansas Secretary of State, foreign, seen October 2026
  13. sos.arkansas.gov: the page for Form FL-01, seen October 2026
  14. arkleg.state.ar.us: the page for Act 1041 of 2021, Uniform, seen October 2026
  15. sos.arkansas.gov: the page for 2026 LLC franchise tax report, seen October 2026
  16. sos.arkansas.gov: the page for Form FL-04, application for cancellation, seen October 2026
  17. sos.ca.gov: the page for California Secretary of State, foreign, seen October 2026
  18. bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov: the page for Form LLC-5, seen October 2026
  19. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov: the page for Corporations Code section 17708.03, seen October 2026
  20. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov: the page for Revenue and Taxation Code section, seen October 2026
  21. ftb.ca.gov: the page for Franchise Tax Board, LLC filing, seen October 2026
  22. business.ct.gov: the page for Foreign LLC forms and fees, seen October 2026
  23. business.ct.gov: the page for Foreign Registration Statement form, seen October 2026
  24. cga.ct.gov: the page for Connecticut General Statutes, chapter 613a, seen October 2026
  25. business.ct.gov: the page for Foreign investigations penalties, seen October 2026
  26. business.ct.gov: the page for Who can be an agent, seen October 2026
  27. business.ct.gov: the page for Foreign annual report forms and, seen October 2026
  28. corpfiles.delaware.gov: the page for Foreign LLC registration form, seen October 2026
  29. delcode.delaware.gov: the page for Delaware Code Title 6, chapter, seen October 2026
  30. delcode.delaware.gov: the page for Delaware Code Title 6, chapter, seen October 2026
  31. corpfiles.delaware.gov: the page for Division of Corporations fee schedule, seen October 2026
  32. corp.delaware.gov: the page for Alternative entity annual tax instructions, seen October 2026
  33. form.sunbiz.org: the page for Form CR2E027, foreign LLC application, seen October 2026
  34. flsenate.gov: the page for Florida Statutes 605.0902, certificate of, seen October 2026
  35. flsenate.gov: the page for Florida Statutes 605.0905, activities that, seen October 2026
  36. flsenate.gov: the page for Florida Statutes 605.0904, consequences of, seen October 2026
  37. form.sunbiz.org: the page for Form CR2E057, withdrawal, seen October 2026
  38. dos.fl.gov: the page for Sunbiz LLC fees, seen October 2026
  39. cca.hawaii.gov: the page for Hawaii DCCA, foreign LLC registration, seen October 2026
  40. files.hawaii.gov: the page for Form FLLC-1, seen October 2026
  41. cca.hawaii.gov: the page for Foreign LLC filing fees, seen October 2026
  42. capitol.hawaii.gov: the page for Hawaii Revised Statutes 428-1003, activities, seen October 2026
  43. cca.hawaii.gov: the page for New Hawaii business registration portal, seen October 2026
  44. archive.sos.idaho.gov: the page for Idaho Secretary of State, Foreign, seen October 2026
  45. sos.idaho.gov: the page for Idaho Secretary of State, business, seen October 2026
  46. legislature.idaho.gov: the page for Idaho Code 30-21-505, activities that, seen October 2026
  47. legislature.idaho.gov: the page for Idaho Code 30-21-214, fees, seen October 2026
  48. legislature.idaho.gov: the page for Idaho Code 30-21-213, annual report, seen October 2026
  49. archive.sos.idaho.gov: the page for Withdrawal of Foreign Registration Statement, seen October 2026
  50. ilsos.gov: the page for Illinois Secretary of State, LLC, seen October 2026
  51. ilsos.gov: the page for Form LLC-45.5, Application for Admission, seen October 2026
  52. ilsos.gov: the page for Form LLC-45.40, Application for Withdrawal, seen October 2026
  53. ilga.gov: the page for 805 ILCS 180/45-45, consequences of, seen October 2026
  54. ilga.gov: the page for 805 ILCS 180/45-47, activities that, seen October 2026
  55. in.gov: the page for Indiana Secretary of State business, seen October 2026
  56. iga.in.gov: the page for Indiana Code 23-0.5-5, registration of, seen October 2026
  57. iga.in.gov: the page for Indiana Code 23-0.5-9, fees, seen October 2026
  58. iga.in.gov: the page for Indiana Code 23-0.5-4, registered agents, seen October 2026
  59. inbiz.in.gov: the page for INBiz Business Entity Report, seen October 2026
  60. sos.iowa.gov: the page for Iowa Secretary of State, business, seen October 2026
  61. sos.iowa.gov: the page for LLC Foreign Registration Statement, Form, seen October 2026
  62. legis.iowa.gov: the page for Iowa Code 489.902, registration requirement, seen October 2026
  63. legis.iowa.gov: the page for Iowa Code 489.905, activities that, seen October 2026
  64. legis.iowa.gov: the page for Iowa Code 489.212, biennial report, seen October 2026
  65. sos.iowa.gov: the page for Iowa Secretary of State, certificate, seen October 2026
  66. sos.la.gov: the page for Louisiana Secretary of State, forms, seen October 2026
  67. sos.la.gov: the page for Form 972, foreign LLC application, seen October 2026
  68. static.sos.la.gov: the page for Fee schedule effective October 1, seen October 2026
  69. legis.la.gov: the page for R.S. 12:1345, application for authority, seen October 2026
  70. legis.la.gov: the page for R.S. 12:1354, effect of failing, seen October 2026
  71. legis.la.gov: the page for R.S. 12:1350, registered agent, seen October 2026
  72. maine.gov: the page for Maine Secretary of State, foreign, seen October 2026
  73. maine.gov: the page for Form MLLC-12, seen October 2026
  74. legislature.maine.gov: the page for 31 MRSA § 1622, foreign, seen October 2026
  75. legislature.maine.gov: the page for 31 MRSA § 1623, activities, seen October 2026
  76. legislature.maine.gov: the page for 31 MRSA § 1629, consequences, seen October 2026
  77. legislature.maine.gov: the page for 31 MRSA § 1680, fees, seen October 2026
  78. egov.maryland.gov: the page for Maryland Business Express, seen October 2026
  79. egov.maryland.gov: the page for Business Express fee schedule, seen October 2026
  80. mgaleg.maryland.gov: the page for Corporations and Associations § 4A-1002, seen October 2026
  81. mgaleg.maryland.gov: the page for Corporations and Associations § 4A-1009, seen October 2026
  82. mgaleg.maryland.gov: the page for Corporations and Associations § 4A-1007, seen October 2026
  83. mgaleg.maryland.gov: the page for Tax-Property § 11-101, annual report, seen October 2026
  84. sec.state.ma.us: the page for Massachusetts Corporations Division, foreign LLC, seen October 2026
  85. sec.state.ma.us: the page for Corporations Division fee schedule, seen October 2026
  86. malegislature.gov: the page for G.L. c. 156C § 48, seen October 2026
  87. malegislature.gov: the page for G.L. c. 156C § 54, seen October 2026
  88. malegislature.gov: the page for G.L. c. 156D § 15.01, seen October 2026
  89. sec.state.ma.us: the page for 950 CMR 112.00, limited liability, seen October 2026
  90. michigan.gov: the page for LARA Corporations Division, seen October 2026
  91. michigan.gov: the page for LARA limited liability company forms, seen October 2026
  92. legislature.mi.gov: the page for MCL 450.5002, certificate of authority, seen October 2026
  93. legislature.mi.gov: the page for MCL 450.5008, activities that are, seen October 2026
  94. legislature.mi.gov: the page for MCL 450.5007, consequences of transacting, seen October 2026
  95. michigan.gov: the page for LARA annual reports and annual, seen October 2026
  96. sos.ms.gov: the page for Mississippi Secretary of State, Business, seen October 2026
  97. sos.ms.gov: the page for Business filing fee schedule, seen October 2026
  98. sos.ms.gov: the page for Business FAQs, seen October 2026
  99. sos.ms.gov: the page for Start Your Business in Mississippi, seen October 2026
  100. sos.ms.gov: the page for Mississippi annual reports, seen October 2026
  101. sos.ms.gov: the page for Registered agents, seen October 2026
  102. sos.mo.gov: the page for Missouri Secretary of State, Corporations, seen October 2026
  103. sos.mo.gov: the page for Form LLC 4, foreign LLC, seen October 2026
  104. sos.mo.gov: the page for Business filing fee schedule, seen October 2026
  105. revisor.mo.gov: the page for RSMo 347.153, registration of foreign, seen October 2026
  106. revisor.mo.gov: the page for RSMo 347.163, transacting business and, seen October 2026
  107. dor.mo.gov: the page for Missouri Department of Revenue, business, seen October 2026
  108. sos.nebraska.gov: the page for Nebraska Secretary of State, forms, seen October 2026
  109. sos.nebraska.gov: the page for Application for Certificate of Authority, seen October 2026
  110. nebraskalegislature.gov: the page for Neb, seen October 2026
  111. nebraskalegislature.gov: the page for Neb, seen October 2026
  112. sos.nebraska.gov: the page for Nebraska Secretary of State, annual, seen October 2026
  113. njportal.com: the page for NJ Division of Revenue, Business, seen October 2026
  114. nj.gov: the page for NJ Division of Revenue, fee, seen October 2026
  115. nj.gov: the page for Public Records Filing for New, seen October 2026
  116. pub.njleg.gov: the page for New Jersey Revised Uniform LLC, seen October 2026
  117. njportal.com: the page for NJ Annual Reports and Change, seen October 2026
  118. sos.nm.gov: the page for New Mexico Secretary of State, seen October 2026
  119. enterprise.sos.nm.gov: the page for SOS Enterprise online filing portal, seen October 2026
  120. api.realfile.rtsclients.com: the page for Business Online Filing Help, seen October 2026
  121. nmonesource.com: the page for NMSA 1978, Chapter 53, seen October 2026
  122. tax.newmexico.gov: the page for Taxation and Revenue Department, who, seen October 2026
  123. dos.ny.gov: the page for Department of State, Application for, seen October 2026
  124. nysenate.gov: the page for LLC Law § 802, application, seen October 2026
  125. nysenate.gov: the page for LLC Law § 808, consequences, seen October 2026
  126. dos.ny.gov: the page for Department of State, Certificate of, seen October 2026
  127. dos.ny.gov: the page for Department of State, biennial statements, seen October 2026
  128. sosnc.gov: the page for North Carolina Secretary of State, seen October 2026
  129. sosnc.gov: the page for Form L-09, Application for Certificate, seen October 2026
  130. sosnc.gov: the page for Secretary of State guide to, seen October 2026
  131. ncleg.gov: the page for G.S, seen October 2026
  132. sosnc.gov: the page for Annual report due dates, seen October 2026
  133. sos.nd.gov: the page for North Dakota Secretary of State, seen October 2026
  134. ndlegis.gov: the page for NDCC Chapter 10-32.1, seen October 2026
  135. sos.nd.gov: the page for Secretary of State, registered agents, seen October 2026
  136. sos.nd.gov: the page for Secretary of State, business services, seen October 2026
  137. sos.ok.gov: the page for Oklahoma Secretary of State, entity, seen October 2026
  138. sos.ok.gov: the page for Procedures for registering a foreign, seen October 2026
  139. sos.ok.gov: the page for Oklahoma Secretary of State, fee, seen October 2026
  140. sos.ok.gov: the page for Annual certificate form for LLCs, seen October 2026
  141. oscn.net: the page for 18 O.S. § 2049, transacting, seen October 2026
  142. docs.sos.ri.gov: the page for Form 450, Application for Registration, seen October 2026
  143. docs.sos.ri.gov: the page for Business Services fee schedule, seen October 2026
  144. webserver.rilegislature.gov: the page for R.I, seen October 2026
  145. webserver.rilegislature.gov: the page for R.I, seen October 2026
  146. docs.sos.ri.gov: the page for Form 452, Certificate of Cancellation, seen October 2026
  147. businessfilings.sc.gov: the page for South Carolina Business Entities Online, seen October 2026
  148. sos.sc.gov: the page for SC Secretary of State, business, seen October 2026
  149. scstatehouse.gov: the page for South Carolina Code, Title 33, seen October 2026
  150. dor.sc.gov: the page for SC Department of Revenue, corporate, seen October 2026
  151. sdsos.gov: the page for South Dakota Secretary of State, seen October 2026
  152. sdsos.gov: the page for Filing fee schedule, seen October 2026
  153. sdsos.gov: the page for Foreign LLC application for Certificate, seen October 2026
  154. sdlegislature.gov: the page for SDCL 47-34A-1003, transacting business, seen October 2026
  155. sdlegislature.gov: the page for SDCL 47-34A-1008, effect of not, seen October 2026
  156. sos.tn.gov: the page for Tennessee Secretary of State, business, seen October 2026
  157. sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com: the page for Form SS-4233, Certificate of Authority, seen October 2026
  158. sos.tn.gov: the page for Tennessee Secretary of State, business, seen October 2026
  159. sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com: the page for Form SS-4241, withdrawal or cancellation, seen October 2026
  160. publications.tnsosfiles.com: the page for Tennessee Revised LLC Act, Public, seen October 2026
  161. commerce.utah.gov: the page for Utah Division of Corporations, foreign, seen October 2026
  162. commerce.utah.gov: the page for Division fee schedule, seen October 2026
  163. le.utah.gov: the page for Utah Code Title 16, Chapter, seen October 2026
  164. le.utah.gov: the page for Utah Code Title 16, Chapter, seen October 2026
  165. businessregistration.utah.gov: the page for Utah Business Registration System, seen October 2026
  166. sos.vermont.gov: the page for Vermont Secretary of State, foreign, seen October 2026
  167. sos.vermont.gov: the page for Vermont Secretary of State, fees, seen October 2026
  168. legislature.vermont.gov: the page for 11 V.S.A. § 4112, application, seen October 2026
  169. legislature.vermont.gov: the page for 11 V.S.A. § 4113, activities, seen October 2026
  170. legislature.vermont.gov: the page for 11 V.S.A. § 4033, annual, seen October 2026
  171. scc.virginia.gov: the page for SCC, foreign limited liability company, seen October 2026
  172. scc.virginia.gov: the page for SCC, foreign business entities FAQ, seen October 2026
  173. scc.virginia.gov: the page for SCC, foreign registration checklist, seen October 2026
  174. law.lis.virginia.gov: the page for Code of Virginia § 13.1-1052, seen October 2026
  175. law.lis.virginia.gov: the page for Code of Virginia § 13.1-1059, seen October 2026
  176. law.lis.virginia.gov: the page for Code of Virginia § 13.1-1057, seen October 2026
  177. sos.wa.gov: the page for Washington SOS, register a foreign, seen October 2026
  178. sos.wa.gov: the page for Washington SOS, fee schedules and, seen October 2026
  179. app.leg.wa.gov: the page for RCW 23.95.520, activities that are, seen October 2026
  180. app.leg.wa.gov: the page for RCW 23.95.505, consequences of not, seen October 2026
  181. app.leg.wa.gov: the page for RCW 23.95.510, foreign registration statement, seen October 2026
  182. sos.wa.gov: the page for Washington SOS, registered agents, seen October 2026
  183. sos.wv.gov: the page for West Virginia SOS, register an, seen October 2026
  184. sos.wv.gov: the page for Form LLF-1, application for certificate, seen October 2026
  185. code.wvlegislature.gov: the page for W, seen October 2026
  186. code.wvlegislature.gov: the page for W, seen October 2026
  187. code.wvlegislature.gov: the page for W, seen October 2026
  188. sos.wv.gov: the page for West Virginia SOS, cancel or, seen October 2026
  189. sos.wyo.gov: the page for Wyoming Secretary of State, foreign, seen October 2026
  190. sos.wyo.gov: the page for Wyoming Secretary of State, fee, seen October 2026
  191. sos.wyo.gov: the page for Wyoming Secretary of State, business, seen October 2026
  192. sos.wyo.gov: the page for Certificate of Withdrawal, foreign LLC, seen October 2026
  193. wyoleg.gov: the page for Wyoming Statutes, Title 17, seen October 2026