How to Get Certificate of Good Standing in Missouri (2025)

Get Missouri Certificate of Good Standing

The Certificate of Good Standing in Missouri is a significant document that is required if you expand your business to another state. When you file an LLC in Missouri, 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 Missouri 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 Missouri. 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 Missouri 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 Missouri

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

What Information You Have in Missouri 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 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 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 Missouri 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 Missouri Certificate of Good Standing

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

A Certificate of Good Standing in Missouri can be obtained in two ways. First, you can Log in to SOS to order your certificate or you can do that offline. For offline Certificates, you can Contact SOS by phone, in-person, or by sending an email.

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 Missouri 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 Missouri 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 Corporations Unit, James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center, P.O. Box 778, Jefferson City, MO 65102 for offline filing. You must search the Missouri SOS official website for the appropriate form.

Step 3: Filing Fee and Processing Time

A filing fee of $10 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 Missouri.

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 Missouri SOS if they have expedited filing or not. In Missouri, 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 Missouri 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 Missouri Certificate of Good Standing is needed.

FAQs

What is a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

A Missouri Certificate of Good Standing is a document issued by the Missouri Secretary of State that certifies a business entity’s existence and compliance with state requirements.

Why would I need a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

You may need a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing to verify your business’s status for various reasons, such as obtaining financing, entering into contracts, or expanding operations.

How can I obtain a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

You can request a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing online through the Missouri Secretary of State’s website or by mail.

What information is included in a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

A Missouri Certificate of Good Standing typically includes the business entity’s name, status, date of formation, and current standing with the state.

How much does a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing cost?

The cost of a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing varies depending on the method of request and any additional services or expedited processing options selected.

How long does it take to get a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

The processing time for a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing can range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the method of request and current workload of the Secretary of State’s office.

Can I expedite the processing of a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

Yes, you can often expedite the processing of a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing for an additional fee. Check with the Secretary of State’s office for details.

Do I need to be current on my state filings to obtain a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

Yes, you typically need to be up-to-date on all state filings and payments to obtain a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing.

Can I request a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing online?

Yes, you can typically request a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing online through the Missouri Secretary of State’s website.

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

The processing time for a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing can vary, but it is usually processed within a few business days.

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

A Missouri Certificate of Good Standing and a Certificate of Existence serve similar purposes, but a Certificate of Good Standing may include additional information about compliance with state regulations.

Can I request a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing for any entity?

Yes, you can request a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing for any registered business entity in the state of Missouri.

Are there any specific requirements for obtaining a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

You may need to ensure that your business entity is up to date on all required filings and fees in order to obtain a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing.

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

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

What information is included on a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

A Missouri Certificate of Good Standing typically includes the name of the business entity, its registration number, and a statement that it is in good standing with the state.

Will a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing expire?

A Missouri Certificate of Good Standing does not have an expiration date, but it may become invalid if the status of the business entity changes.

Can I use a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing in court?

A Missouri Certificate of Good Standing may be used as evidence in court to demonstrate the legal standing of a business entity.

If my business entity is not in good standing, can I still request a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

No, a business entity must be in good standing in order to receive a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing.

Do I need a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing to renew my business license?

Some licensing agencies may require a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing for renewal, so it is best to check with the specific agency or department.

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

Some banks may require a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing in order to open a business bank account, as proof of the entity’s legal status.

Can I request a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing for a nonprofit organization?

Yes, nonprofit organizations can also request a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing to demonstrate compliance with state regulations.

Can I request a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing for a limited liability company (LLC)?

Yes, LLCs are eligible to request a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing to demonstrate their legal status in the state.

Do I need a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing to apply for federal licenses or permits?

Some federal agencies may require a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing as part of the application process for licenses or permits.

Can I request a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing on behalf of someone else?

Yes, you may request a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing on behalf of someone else with proper authorization.

Do I need to provide any supporting documents when requesting a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

In some cases, you may need to provide additional documentation, such as proof of identity or authorization to request the certificate on behalf of a business entity.

Can I verify the authenticity of a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

Yes, you can typically verify the authenticity of a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing by contacting the Missouri Secretary of State’s office.

Can I request a digital copy of a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

Some states may offer the option to request a digital copy of a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing for an additional fee.

Can I request multiple copies of a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

Yes, you can typically request multiple copies of a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing for an additional fee.

Can I download a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing from the internet?

You may be able to download a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing from the Missouri Secretary of State’s website if the option is available.

Can I request a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing if my business entity is suspended or dissolved?

If your business entity is suspended or dissolved, you may need to resolve the outstanding issues before requesting a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing.

In Conclusion

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