How to Get Certificate of Good Standing in Hawaii (2024)

The Certificate of Good Standing in Hawaii is a significant document that is required if you expand your business to another state. When you file an LLC in Hawaii, 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 Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing. 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 Good Standing in Hawaii. The Certificate of Good Standing is one of the most important documents your business needs. Whether it is the LLC filing or a corporation filing in Hawaii or any other form of business, the Certificate of Good Standing must be obtained. Let’s dive in and get your business one step closer to achieving its goals!

What is Certificate of Good Standing in Hawaii

The Certificate of Good Standing is a document that every business in Hawaii requires to obtain. This document states that the company (LLC, Corporation in Hawaii, Partnership, etc.) complies with the State government. In other words, the business has fulfilled all the legal requirements in Hawaii. 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 Good Standing 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 Hawaii after dissolution, you must obtain this document.

What Information You Have in Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing

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

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 Resident Agent
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 Good Standing

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 Hawaii is eligible to obtain the Certificate of Good Standing. Anyone with a sole proprietorship does not need to obtain the Certificate of Good Standing because sole proprietorship companies do not have to register their business.

How to Obtain Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing

The Hawaii Secretary of State issues this document. To obtain the Certificate of Good Standing, you must fill out the form and send it to the Hawaii 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

To purchase the Certificate of Good Standing in Hawaii, Business owners can visit the Business search page -> Buy Certificate of Good Standing to find and purchase the Good Standing Certificate for your business.

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 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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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 Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Business Registration Division, 335 Merchant St., P.O. Box 40, Honolulu, HI 96810 for offline filing. You must search the Hawaii SOS official website for the appropriate form.

Step 3: Filing Fee and Processing Time

A filing fee of $5 (regular processing) AND/OR $10 (for expedited filing) must be paid to the SOS to obtain the Certificate of Good Standing. 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 Good Standing’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 Good Standing in Hawaii.

Step 4: Receive the Certificate of Good Standing

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 Hawaii SOS if they have expedited filing or not. In Hawaii, it can take up to a few months to receive the Certificate of Good Standing.

Why Do You Need a Certificate of Good Standing

The Certificate of Good Standing in Hawaii 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 Good Standing for reinstatement.

The document is required as much as the formation document. Hence, obtaining the Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing is needed.

FAQs

How can I obtain a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing?

You can apply for a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing through the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

What is a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing used for?

A Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing is typically used to prove that your business entity is compliant with all state regulations and requirements.

How much does it cost to get a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing?

The cost for a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing varies, but it is usually around $10-20.

How long does it take to receive a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing?

It generally takes about 5-7 business days to receive a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing once your application has been processed.

Can I request expedited processing for a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing?

Yes, you can request expedited processing for an additional fee if you need your Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing sooner.

What information do I need to provide to obtain a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing?

You will typically need to provide your business entity name and number when applying for a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing.

Is a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing the same as a Certificate of Compliance?

No, a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing and a Certificate of Compliance are two different documents, although they serve a similar purpose.

Can I request a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing online?

Yes, you can usually request a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing online through the state’s official website.

Do I need a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing to apply for certain business licenses?

In some cases, you may need a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing to apply for business licenses or permits in the state.

What happens if my business is not in good standing in Hawaii?

If your business is not in good standing in Hawaii, you may need to resolve any outstanding issues before being able to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing.

Can I request a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing for a non-profit organization?

Yes, you can request a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing for a non-profit organization as well as for-profit businesses.

Do I need a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing to sell my business?

A Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing may be required when selling a business to show potential buyers that the business is compliant with state regulations.

Can I request a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing for a foreign business entity?

Yes, you can request a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing for a foreign business entity if it is registered to do business in the state.

How do I know if my business is in good standing in Hawaii?

You can verify the status of your business standing in Hawaii by checking the state’s official business registry.

Can I use a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing for transactions outside of Hawaii?

Yes, a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing can be used for transactions in other states or countries that require proof of good standing.

Do I need to renew my Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing?

A Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing is typically valid for a certain period of time and may need to be renewed periodically.

Can I obtain a copy of my Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing?

Yes, you can request a copy of your Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing if needed for your records or other purposes.

What should I do if my Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing is lost or damaged?

You can usually request a replacement for a lost or damaged Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing for a small fee.

Can I use a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing to open a bank account?

Some banks may require a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing as part of the documentation needed to open a business bank account.

Is a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing the same as a Certificate of Authority?

No, a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing and a Certificate of Authority serve different purposes, with the latter typically being needed for foreign business entities.

Can I request a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing for a sole proprietorship?

A Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing is typically not required for sole proprietorships since they are not separate legal entities from their owners.

Does a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing expire?

A Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing is typically valid for a specific period of time and may need to be renewed periodically.

Can I use an expired Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing?

An expired Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing is usually not considered valid, and you may need to obtain a current one for business transactions.

Can I request a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing for a trade name or fictitious business name?

Yes, you can request a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing for a trade name or fictitious business name registered with the state.

Can I request a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing for a limited liability company?

Yes, you can request a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing for a limited liability company (LLC) registered in the state.

Can I use a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing for tax purposes?

While a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing may not be required for tax purposes, it may be requested by tax authorities as proof of compliance with state regulations.

Can I apply for a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing if my business is suspended or revoked?

If your business is suspended or revoked in Hawaii, you may need to first resolve the suspension or revocation before being able to obtain a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing.

Can I request a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing for a partnership?

Yes, you can request a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing for a general partnership or limited partnership registered in the state.

Can I use a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing as part of a loan application?

Some lenders may request a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing as part of the documentation needed for a business loan application.

What is a Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing?

A Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing is a document issued by the Hawaii Secretary of State’s office confirming that a business entity is legally registered in the state and is in compliance with all necessary obligations.

In Conclusion

The Certificate of Good Standing is a vital document for any business entity in Hawaii, 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 Good Standing is necessary.

While forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a Corporation in Hawaii, it is necessary to have some documents filed with the State authority. The Certificate of Good Standing 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.