How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing for Your Business (Step-by-Step Guide)

Get started with LegalZoom and easily order your Certificate of Good Standing here: https://startupwise.com/goodstandingcertificate/ In this video, I go over how to get a Certificate of Good Standing for your business, explaining the process step-by-step so you know exactly what to do. A Certificate of Good Standing is an official document from your state confirming that your business is properly registered, compliant with all requirements, and up to date with fees and taxes. It’s also known as a Certificate of Status or Certificate of Existence in some states. Our favorite business must-haves: 💳 Best business credit cards: https://startupwise.com/creditcards 🏦 Novo (best business bank): https://startupwise.com/novo 🖥 Best AI website builder ($3/month using code STARTUPWISE): https://startupwise.com/hostinger/ ⚙ Northwest (best $39 LLC formation service): https://startupwise.com/northwestLLC 🎃 Try Gusto and get a $100 gift card with our link: https://startupwise.com/gusto 👨💼 Best overseas staffing agency (save 80% on payroll): https://paired.so/startupwise Be sure to watch this video until the end because I’ll show you how and when to get a Certificate of Good Standing, and why it’s essential for business growth. This document is often required when opening a business bank account, applying for loans or grants, registering your business in another state, or working with certain vendors and clients. Without it, you could face delays, rejections, or missed opportunities. A Certificate of Good Standing proves that your LLC, corporation, or nonprofit is legally active and in compliance with state laws. I’ll cover how to check your business status online, what to do if your business isn’t in good standing, and how to fix common issues like missed filings or payments. You’ll also learn how to request the certificate from your Secretary of State or use services like LegalZoom to save time. If you found this video helpful, be sure to check out our other videos on: How to Register a Copyright with LegalZoom 2025 (Complete Guide): https://youtu.be/k9CBrut9jq4 How to Draft an Operating Agreement Using LegalZoom 2025 (Steps & Tips): https://youtu.be/hAWYleesXkI Request New Videos Here: https://forms.gle/k9TtfauggkEpAWNQA More tutorials on our website: https://www.startupwise.com Thanks for watching! I hope you have a wonderful day! – Sam #LLC #BusinessRegistration #CertificateOfGoodStanding Timeline: 0:00 - Introduction 0:10 - What is a Certificate of Good Standing and Why It Matters 1:32 - Real-World Examples of When You’ll Need One 2:30 - How to Check if Your Business is in Good Standing Online 3:24 - Steps to Take if Your Business is Not in Good Standing 4:01 - How to Request Business Entity Records from Your State 5:00 - Common Questions About the Certificate of Good Standing 6:21 - How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing Using LegalZoom 7:15 - How to Name Your Business for Legal and Marketing Purposes 8:35 - Conclusion Disclaimer: Some of the links above may be affiliate links, meaning I may receive a small commission if you click on them. The commission is paid by the retailers at no cost to you, and this helps to support our channel and keep our videos free. Thank you! All info from our videos is compiled from online sources and our own experience, and we encourage you to do your due diligence. We appreciate your viewership! In addition, we are not financial advisors. StartupWise does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. The ideas presented in this video are for entertainment purposes only. Please do your due diligence before making any financial decisions.