Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing

Entities that are registered to do business in the state of Hawaii often need to show what's called a Certificate of Good Standing to prove that they are officially registered to do business in Hawaii or that they are in compliance with applicable state requirements. In special cases, if you need to show that your company was dissolved or suspended, a Certificate of Good Standing is also necessary.

 

The process of obtaining a Certificate of Good Standing is quite simple. If you need your certified status the next business day, SunDoc can help you. Generally, you'll need to fill out a records order and submit it to the Secretary of State of Hawaii's office. Fee and form information can be found online. Some entities choose to use Hawaii's online business search for researching records.

 

After receiving your Certificate of Good Standing, you'll notice that it features an authorized signature from the Secretary of State as well as an official state seal.

 

Remember that it is possible to obtain business documents that are on file from your own business or from businesses that aren't your own as well. You may obtain a certified collection of filings that includes amendments, registration forms (if the company is from out of state), articles of formation, and more.

 

When Do You Need A Certificate Of Good Standing?

 

There are many situations in which a Certificate of Good Standing is required for your business. For example, if you are buying a company outright, selling your own business, or involved in an acquisition or a merger, it is common to require this document. It is also common to need a Certificate of Good Standing when asking for a business loan or another type of credit line.

 

Certain tax matters may require the document as well, and remember that you can still owe state taxes to Hawaii and be in good standing. You simply cannot be out of compliance with the state tax process. 

 

Additionally, certain licensing requirements often necessitate certified status, and finally, you'll need a Certificate of Good Standing to register to do business in another state (allow SunDoc to assist you with this foreign qualification process). 

 

A Certificate of Good Standing represents an important part of your entity’s legal documentation. Don't forget to consider expiration dates when obtaining this documentation. Some states want certification to be less than 30 or 60 days old.

 

Certificate Of Good Standing Or Certificate Of Status?

 

The Certificate of Good Standing in other jurisdictions may also be referred to as a Certificate of Status or of Existence. In Hawaii, it shows that an entity is registered to do business in the state, is in compliance with applicable corporate rules and licensing requirements, and has not been suspended by the state taxing authority, the Franchise Tax Board.

 

How To Get Your Good Standing Certificate

 

Right now, Hawaii doesn’t offer electronic Certificate of Good Standing orders. However, you can order your certificate by visiting the Hawaii Secretary of State office in person or by sending a request by mail. Each request comes with an order.

 

In-person requests are typically processed by the second business day while mailed-in requests take 5-15 business days. Hawaii does offer a Rush service for Good Standing requests.

 

Next Steps

 

SunDoc Filings can handle your Good Standing request, as with all of your company filings. We make visits daily to the Secretary of State office, to hand-deliver or receive documents. All of our routine filings on your behalf are expedited in this way, saving valuable time over other companies that typically mail in forms.

 

To talk to a live voice for immediate assistance call us toll-free during business hours at  1-888-595-2747.