How to Get Certificate of Existence in Indiana (2025)

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

What is Certificate of Existence in Indiana

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

What Information You Have in Indiana Certificate of Existence

The Certificate of Existence consists of very pivotal information related to your business. Following is the information your Certificate of Existence 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 Registered 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 Existence

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

How to Obtain Indiana Certificate of Existence

The Indiana Secretary of State issues this document. To obtain the Certificate of Existence, you must fill out the form and send it to the Indiana 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 Indiana, obtaining a Certificate of Status requires one to Log in and Order a Certificate of Existence via the online channel. Log in to the SOS portal and place the request for the Certificate of Existence in Indiana.

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 Indiana 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 Indiana 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 Services Division, 302 West Washington Street, Room E018, Indianapolis, IN 46204 for offline filing. You must search the Indiana SOS official website for the appropriate form.

Step 3: Filing Fee and Processing Time

A filing fee of $26 (online) OR $15 (by mail) must be paid to the SOS to obtain the Certificate of Existence. 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 Existence’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 Existence in Indiana.

Step 4: Receive the Certificate of Existence

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

Why Do You Need a Certificate of Existence

The Certificate of Existence in Indiana 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 Existence for reinstatement.

The document is required as much as the formation document. Hence, obtaining the Indiana Certificate of Existence is needed.

FAQs

What is a Certificate of Existence in Indiana?

A Certificate of Existence in Indiana is a document that confirms a business entity is in good standing with the state.

Who can request a Certificate of Existence in Indiana?

Anyone with a legitimate interest in the status of a business entity in Indiana can request a Certificate of Existence.

How can I obtain a Indiana Certificate of Existence?

you can obtain a Indiana Certificate of Existence by submitting a request to the Indiana Secretary of State’s office.

What information is needed to request a Indiana Certificate of Existence?

You will typically need the name of the business entity and any other required details such as the entity number or registration date.

How much does it cost to obtain a Indiana Certificate of Existence?

The cost of a Indiana Certificate of Existence varies but generally falls within a reasonable fee that you must pay to request the document.

Does a Indiana Certificate of Existence expire?

A Indiana Certificate of Existence does not technically expire as long as the business entity remains in good standing with the state.

How can I verify the authenticity of a Indiana Certificate of Existence?

You can verify the authenticity of a Indiana Certificate of Existence by checking with the Indiana Secretary of State’s office or conducting an online search.

Will a Indiana Certificate of Existence include additional information about the business entity?

A Indiana Certificate of Existence typically includes basic information such as the entity name, status, and date of issuance.

Can I use a Indiana Certificate of Existence for official purposes?

Yes, a Indiana Certificate of Existence can be used for various official purposes such as obtaining financing or proving compliance with state regulations.

How long does it take to receive a Indiana Certificate of Existence?

The processing time for a Indiana Certificate of Existence can vary but usually takes around a few business days to a few weeks.

Can I request a rush service for a Indiana Certificate of Existence?

Yes, some states offer rush services for an additional fee to expedite the processing of a Indiana Certificate of Existence.

Can I request a Indiana Certificate of Existence online?

Yes, you can typically request a Indiana Certificate of Existence online through the Indiana Secretary of State’s website.

What happens if a Indiana Certificate of Existence shows the business entity is not in good standing?

If a Indiana Certificate of Existence shows the business entity is not in good standing, you may need to resolve any outstanding issues with the state.

Can I request a Indiana Certificate of Existence for any business entity in the state?

Yes, you can usually request a Indiana Certificate of Existence for any business entity registered with the Indiana Secretary of State’s office.

Is a Indiana Certificate of Existence the same as a Certificate of Good Standing?

Yes, a Indiana Certificate of Existence is often referred to as a Certificate of Good Standing in other states.

How long is a Indiana Certificate of Existence valid for?

A Indiana Certificate of Existence is typically considered current and valid at the time of issuance.

Can a business entity renew its Indiana Certificate of Existence?

A business entity can obtain a new Indiana Certificate of Existence whenever needed, depending on its specific requirements.

Are there any restrictions on who can request a Indiana Certificate of Existence?

No, there are typically no restrictions on who can request a Indiana Certificate of Existence as long as they have a legitimate interest in the information.

What should I do if I lose my Indiana Certificate of Existence?

If you lose your Indiana Certificate of Existence, you can typically request a duplicate copy from the Indiana Secretary of State’s office.

Can a third party request a Indiana Certificate of Existence on behalf of a business entity?

Yes, a third party such as an attorney or consultant can typically request a Indiana Certificate of Existence on behalf of a business entity with proper authorization.

What is the purpose of a Indiana Certificate of Existence?

The main purpose of a Indiana Certificate of Existence is to provide proof that a business entity is in good standing with the state and legally authorized to conduct business.

Can I request multiple copies of a Indiana Certificate of Existence?

Yes, you can typically request multiple copies of a Indiana Certificate of Existence for a business entity if needed for various purposes.

Will a Indiana Certificate of Existence show any historical information about the business entity?

A Indiana Certificate of Existence typically does not include historical information but rather confirms the current status of the business entity.

Can I request a Indiana Certificate of Existence for a foreign business entity registered in Indiana?

Yes, you can usually request a Indiana Certificate of Existence for a foreign business entity registered in Indiana by following the specific guidelines.

Can I request expedited shipping for a Indiana Certificate of Existence?

Yes, you can often request expedited shipping for a Indiana Certificate of Existence for an additional fee to receive the document quickly.

Can I request a Indiana Certificate of Existence in person?

Yes, you can typically request a Indiana Certificate of Existence in person by visiting the Indiana Secretary of State’s office during business hours.

Are there any special requirements for requesting a Indiana Certificate of Existence?

While there may be specific requirements, such as proper identification or payment, the process of requesting a Indiana Certificate of Existence is relatively straightforward.

Can I verify the status of a business entity in Indiana without a Indiana Certificate of Existence?

While a Indiana Certificate of Existence is the official document, you can often verify the status of a business entity in Indiana through the Secretary of State’s online database or other means.

Do I need a Indiana Certificate of Existence to file business taxes in the state?

While a Indiana Certificate of Existence is not typically required for filing business taxes, it can be useful for certain transactions or verification purposes.

What is the purpose of obtaining an Indiana Certificate of Existence?

The purpose of obtaining an Indiana Certificate of Existence is to prove that your business is currently active and in compliance with state regulations.

In Conclusion

The Certificate of Existence is a vital document for any business entity in Indiana, 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 Existence is necessary.

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