How to Get Certificate of Status in California (2024)


Steve Bennett
Steve Bennett
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Get California Certificate of Status

The Certificate of Status in California is a significant document that is required if you expand your business to another state. When you file an LLC in California, you must submit a handful of documents to the Secretary of State. In case you take your business beyond the state border, you need this additional document, commonly known as the Certificate of Good Standing.

In this article, LLCBuddy editors share the ins and outs of California Certificate of Status. You’ll also learn what the uses of this document are other than having a foreign LLC out of state. We shared how to get the Certificate of Status in California. The Certificate of Status is one of the most important documents your business needs. Whether it is the LLC filing or a corporation filing in California or any other form of business, the Certificate of Status must be obtained. Let’s dive in and get your business one step closer to achieving its goals!

What is Certificate of Status in California

The Certificate of Status is a document that every business in California requires to obtain. This document states that the company (LLC, Corporation in California, Partnership, etc.) complies with the State government. In other words, the business has fulfilled all the legal requirements in California. Whether you form an LLC or any other form of business, you must get this document.

If you take your business to a different state, Certificate of Status will be a necessary document to be produced. It shows that your business does not have any illegitimate or outlawed activities. Besides, to restore or reinstate an LLC in California after dissolution, you must obtain this document.

What Information You Have in California Certificate of Status

The Certificate of Status consists of very pivotal information related to your business. Following is the information your Certificate of Status will have- 

articles of organization
  • The entity type (LLC, Corporation, LLP, LP, or any other registered entity type) when it was formed
  • The date of filing the business entity (filing the formation document).
  • The current name and address of the business entity
  • Whether the business entity exists today
  • Name and address of the Agent for Service of Process
  • The State where the document is issued
  • A declaration that the business entity has paid all the required taxes and complies with all applicable legal requirements. 
  • A declaration that the business entity met all the requirements to get the document.

Who Should Obtain the Certificate of Status 

Any business entity, a Limited Liability Company (LLC), a Corporation, a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), a Limited Partnership (LP), or any other registered business structure in California is eligible to obtain the Certificate of Status. Anyone with a sole proprietorship does not need to obtain the Certificate of Status because sole proprietorship companies do not have to register their business. 

How to Obtain California Certificate of Status

The California Secretary of State issues this document. To obtain the Certificate of Status, you must fill out the form and send it to the California SOS along with the required filing fees. There is some information you will need to enter while submitting the form. Here are the points to add-

Step 1: Get the Form

In California, a Certificate of Status can be obtained in two ways, online and offline. For online issuanceLog in to California SOS. For offline filing, you must get the Business Entities Records – Order Form and send it via mail to California Secretary of State.

The following points are required to be mentioned in the form-

Details of The Requester: The first information you need to provide is the details of the requester. Provide your full name, address (which can be your business address), and phone number. 

name your llc

Name of Your Business: Provide the exact name of your business. Make sure no spelling mistakes are made. The spelling must be the same as mentioned in the Certificate of Formation. Besides the name, provide the company registration number or file number. The SOS issues this number after you file the Certificate of Formation. This is not mandatory, but it is recommended that you share the file number to get the process done quickly.

Details of Return Method: The certificate can be collected in person or by mail from California SOS. If you request the document in person, you can take the return in person or by mail. Choose which way you want it. 

Copies of the Certificate: You can request the number of copies of the certificate from SOS. There is a box in the form you need to check for multiple copies of this document. You can obtain more than one copy of the Certificate of Compliance for various purposes. It is recommended that more copies of the certificate be obtained for future use. 

Fax Copy of the Certificate: You might get a Fax copy before receiving the certificate’s hard copy. This is one of the options available in some of the states. If you want to receive the fax copy of the certificate, you must provide the fax number while filing the form.

Copies of Other Documents: If you want, you can request copies of other documents filed with the SOS. Other documents include the California Articles of Organization for LLCs, Articles of Incorporation for corporations, LLC amendment, corporation amendment, and other registered documents with the SOS. This is optional, and you can avoid this. You must pay a stipulated fee for every copy you request. 

Step 2: Submit the Form

You can submit the form online, by mail, or in person, whichever is available and more convenient. Send the form to the Secretary of State, Business Entities Filings, P.O. Box 944228, Sacramento, CA 94244 for offline filing. You must search the California SOS official website for the appropriate form.

Step 3: Filing Fee and Processing Time

A filing fee of $5 must be paid to the SOS to obtain the Certificate of Status. The amount might be more depending on the number of copies you request. If you request other document copies, you might have to pay an additional fee for that.

Processing Time: The Certificate of Status’s processing time varies from state to state. Also, it depends on the expedited filing as well. It can take a few days to a few months to obtain the Certificate of Status in California. 

Step 4: Receive the Certificate of Status

Once you submit the form and the necessary filing fee, your forms start processing. The process might take a lot of time. If you do not want to wait, you can check with the California SOS if they have expedited filing or not. In California, it can take up to a few months to receive the Certificate of Status.

Why Do You Need a Certificate of Status

The Certificate of Status in California is a character certificate of any business. Obtaining this document makes your business legitimate officially. You need this document every now and then while making business decisions. You must obtain the document for the following reasons, 

  • To get business loans and advances or investors
  • To get business bank accounts
  • To purchase insurance for business coverage
  • To renew licenses & permits
  • To set up your business in other states, for example, a Foreign LLC
  • To sell or transfer your business completely or partially to another. 
  • To get into a legal business contract with other businesses or clients.
  • If your LLC is dissolved for any administrative reasons and you want to restore it, you must obtain the Certificate of Status for reinstatement.

The document is required as much as the formation document. Hence, obtaining the California Certificate of Status is needed. 

FAQs

What is a California Certificate of Status?
A California Certificate of Status, also known as a Certificate of Good Standing, is an official document that certifies a business entity’s existence and compliance with state requirements in California.
Why would I need a California Certificate of Status?
You may need a California Certificate of Status to conduct business transactions, apply for loans, or satisfy regulatory requirements in California.
How can I obtain a California Certificate of Status?
You can request a California Certificate of Status from the California Secretary of State’s office by submitting the necessary form and fee.
What information is included in a California Certificate of Status?
A California Certificate of Status typically includes the business entity’s name, status, and date of formation.
How much does a California Certificate of Status cost?
The cost of a California Certificate of Status varies depending on the processing options chosen, but it generally ranges from $5 to $10.
How long does it take to receive a California Certificate of Status?
The processing time for a California Certificate of Status can vary, but it is typically processed within a few business days.
Can I expedite the processing of a California Certificate of Status?
Yes, you can request expedited processing for an additional fee, which can shorten the processing time for a California Certificate of Status.
Are there any restrictions on who can request a California Certificate of Status?
Generally, anyone with a legitimate interest in a business entity can request a California Certificate of Status.
Can I request a California Certificate of Status for a business not located in California?
Yes, you can request a California Certificate of Status for a foreign business entity if it is registered to do business in California.
Is a California Certificate of Status the same as a Certificate of Amendment?
No, a California Certificate of Status certifies a business entity’s compliance with state requirements, while a Certificate of Amendment is used to make changes to a business entity’s articles of incorporation or organization.
Can I request a California Certificate of Status online?
Yes, you can request a California Certificate of Status online through the California Secretary of State’s website.
What documents do I need to request a California Certificate of Status?
You will typically need to provide the business entity’s name or entity number when requesting a California Certificate of Status.
Can I request a certified copy of a California Certificate of Status?
Yes, you can request a certified copy of a California Certificate of Status for an additional fee.
How long is a California Certificate of Status valid for?
A California Certificate of Status is typically valid for a specific period, such as 90 days from the date of issuance.
Can I verify the authenticity of a California Certificate of Status?
Yes, you can verify the authenticity of a California Certificate of Status by contacting the California Secretary of State’s office.
Can I request a California Certificate of Status for a dissolved business entity?
Yes, you can request a California Certificate of Status for a dissolved business entity to verify its compliance with state requirements prior to dissolution.
Does a California Certificate of Status expire?
Yes, a California Certificate of Status is valid for a specific period and may expire after that time.
Can I request a California Certificate of Status for an individual person?
No, a California Certificate of Status is typically only issued for business entities, not individual persons.
Is a California Certificate of Status the same as a Tax Clearance Certificate?
No, a California Certificate of Status certifies a business entity’s compliance with state requirements, while a Tax Clearance Certificate certifies a business entity’s compliance with tax obligations.
Can I request a California Certificate of Status for a non-profit organization?
Yes, you can request a California Certificate of Status for a non-profit organization registered in California.
Can I request a California Certificate of Status for a foreign corporation doing business in California?
Yes, you can request a California Certificate of Status for a foreign corporation that is registered to do business in California.
Can I request a California Certificate of Status for a partnership or limited liability company?
Yes, you can request a California Certificate of Status for a partnership or limited liability company registered in California.
Can I use a California Certificate of Status for international business transactions?
Yes, a California Certificate of Status may be required for international business transactions to verify compliance with state requirements.
Can I request a California Certificate of Status for an entity with pending legal actions?
In some cases, a California Certificate of Status may be issued for an entity with pending legal actions, but it may include a disclaimer indicating the pending legal actions.
Can I request a California Certificate of Status for a business entity with outstanding tax liabilities?
Yes, you can request a California Certificate of Status for a business entity with outstanding tax liabilities, but it will not certify compliance with tax obligations.
Can I request a California Certificate of Status for a business entity with a suspended registration?
No, you cannot request a California Certificate of Status for a business entity with a suspended registration, as it is not in good standing with the state.
Can I request a California Certificate of Status for a business entity with regulatory violations?
In some cases, a California Certificate of Status may be issued for a business entity with regulatory violations, but it may include a disclaimer indicating the violations.
Can I request a California Certificate of Status for a business entity with pending administrative actions?
In some cases, a California Certificate of Status may be issued for a business entity with pending administrative actions, but it may include a disclaimer indicating the pending administrative actions.
Can I request a California Certificate of Status under a different name than the business entity’s legal name?
No, you must request a California Certificate of Status under the business entity’s legal name as registered with the California Secretary of State.
Why do I need to obtain a California Certificate of Status?
A California Certificate of Status may be required for various business purposes such as obtaining a loan, renewing business licenses, or conducting business in another state.

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In Conclusion

The Certificate of Status is a vital document for any business entity in California, as it enables you to expand your operations throughout the United States. It’s essential to provide accurate and truthful information in this document. If you plan to establish the same business in another state, obtaining a Certificate of Status is necessary.

While forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a Corporation in California, it is necessary to have some documents filed with the State authority. The Certificate of Status is one of them. In some cases, if the business gets shut down or dissolved due to administrative reasons, this document helps the owners retrieve their business in the future. In this article, we shared DIY ways to get the document, but you can always hire a professional to get that for you.

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