How to Get Missouri Certificate of Good Standing

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Are you looking to expand your business operations or secure financing for your company in Missouri? One essential document you’ll need in such situations is the Certificate of Good Standing. This certificate is an official document issued by the state authorities to confirm that your business is compliant with state regulations and requirements. The Certificate of Good Standing is one of the most important documents your business needs. Whether it is the Missouri LLC filing or a corporation or any other form of business, the Certificate of Good Standing must be obtained.

We will share the in and out of Missouri Certificate of Good Standing in this article. We’ll also discuss the various scenarios when you might need this certificate and provide helpful tips to ensure your business remains in good standing with the Missouri authorities. We recommend you read the article on how to get Missouri Certificate of Good Standing till the end. Let’s dive in and get your business one step closer to achieving its goals!

On this page, you’ll learn about the following:

What is Certificate of Good Standing in Missouri
- What Information You Have in Missouri Certificate of Good Standing
- Who Should Obtain the Certificate of Good Standing
How to Obtain Missouri Certificate of Good Standing
Why Do You Need a Certificate of Good Standing
FAQs

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, 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, your 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.

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 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 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 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

The first thing you need to do is get the form. The form is available on the state SOS website. You can download the form and mail it or submit it online. The following points are required to mention in the form-

Details of The Requester: The first information you need to provide is the detail 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 to 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 to get more copies of the certificate 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, amendments, and other registered documents with the SOS. This is optional and you can avoid this. With every copy you request, you must pay a stipulated fee.

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 can also submit the form online. For that, you must go to the Missouri SOS official website and search for the appropriate form.

Step 3: Filing Fee and Processing Time

A filing fee must be paid to the SOS to obtain the Certificate of Good Standing. The amount depends on the number of copies you request. If you request other document copies, you might 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.

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 an official document issued by the Secretary of State’s office that indicates that a Missouri business entity is in compliance with all state statutes, laws, and regulations.

How do I obtain a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

To obtain a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing, you must submit an application form to the Missouri Secretary of State’s office, either in person or by mail.

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

You will need to provide the name of the business, its entity type, the date of formation, and the state where the entity was formed.

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

The turnaround time for obtaining a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing varies depending on the method of submission. If you submit the application in person, you can typically receive the certificate the same day. If you submit the application by mail, it can take up to 10 business days to receive the certificate.

How much does a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing cost?

The cost of a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing is $10.

Is a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing required to do business in the state of Missouri?

No, a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing is not required to do business in the state of Missouri. However, it is often required by banks and other third parties when applying for loans or other forms of financing.

How long is a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing valid?

A Missouri Certificate of Good Standing is valid for one year from the date of issuance.

What happens if my Missouri Certificate of Good Standing expires?

If your Missouri Certificate of Good Standing expires, you will need to submit a new application and pay the $10 fee to obtain a new certificate.

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

No, a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing and a Certificate of Existence are not the same. A Certificate of Existence is a document issued by the Secretary of State’s office that confirms that a business entity is in existence and has filed all of its required documents with the state.

How do I know if my Missouri Certificate of Good Standing is valid?

You can verify the validity of your Missouri Certificate of Good Standing by contacting the Secretary of State’s office or by checking the status of your certificate on the Secretary of State website.

What is a Certificate of Good Standing in Missouri?

A Certificate of Good Standing, also known as a “Certificate of Existence” or “Certificate of Authorization”, is a document issued by the Missouri Secretary of State verifying that a business entity is currently in good standing with the state.

How do I get a Certificate of Good Standing in Missouri?

A Certificate of Good Standing can be requested via the Secretary of State’s website or by mail.

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

You will need the business name and entity type, filing number and formation date of the business entity.

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

A Certificate of Good Standing can be obtained within 1-2 business days if ordered online. If ordered by mail, it can take up to 10 business days.

Is a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing required for a certain purpose?

A Certificate of Good Standing may be required to open a business bank account or to enter into certain contracts.

What is the difference between a Certificate of Good Standing and a Certificate of Authority?

A Certificate of Good Standing verifies that a business entity is in good standing with the state. A Certificate of Authority allows a foreign business entity to transact business in Missouri.

How often does a business need to renew its Certificate of Good Standing in Missouri?

A Certificate of Good Standing does not need to be renewed.

Does a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing expire?

No, a Certificate of Good Standing does not expire.

How do I check the status of a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

The status of a Certificate of Good Standing can be checked by contacting the Missouri Secretary of State’s office.

Can I get a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing online?

Yes, a Certificate of Good Standing can be requested online through the Missouri Secretary of State’s website.

Does a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing include the company’s registration date?

Yes, the Certificate of Good Standing will include the formation date of the business entity.

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

Yes, the terms Certificate of Good Standing and Certificate of Existence are used interchangeably.

What are the benefits of having a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing?

A Certificate of Good Standing provides proof to third parties that a business entity is in compliance with state laws and regulations.

Is a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing required for a foreign (out-of-state) business entity?

No, a Certificate of Good Standing is not required for a foreign business entity.

Is a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing required to register a trademark?

No, a Certificate of Good Standing is not required to register a trademark.

Is a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing required to open a business bank account?

Yes, some banks may require a Certificate of Good Standing in order to open a business bank account.

Can I obtain a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing without filing the annual report?

Yes, a Certificate of Good Standing can be obtained without filing the annual report.

Is a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing required to apply for a business license?

It depends on the type of business license. Some business licenses may require a Certificate of Good Standing.

What is the difference between a Certificate of Good Standing and a Tax Clearance Certificate?

A Certificate of Good Standing verifies that a business entity is in good standing with the state. A Tax Clearance Certificate verifies that all taxes due to the state have been paid.

Does a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing include the name of the Registered Agent?

No, the Certificate of Good Standing does not include the name of the Registered Agent.

Is a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing required to apply for a loan?

It depends on the lender. Some lenders may require a Certificate of Good Standing in order to apply for a loan.

Does a Missouri Certificate of Good Standing provide information about the owners of a business?

No, a Certificate of Good Standing does not provide information about the owners of a business.

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.