Massachusetts Certificate of Good Standing

Certificates of Good Standing are formal documents issued by the Secretary of State of Massachusetts. These documents certify that a given business is registered to conduct business in the state and meets applicable state requirements. The document can also prove that a company has been suspended or dissolved. It is used in many business and legal situations.

 

To obtain a Certificate of Good Standing, you must submit a records order to the office of the Secretary of State of Massachusetts. The document will be issued, featuring an authorized Secretary of State signature and a state seal imprint.

 

Certificates of Good Standing can be issued for companies that are not your own as well. If you are interested in certified information for a business that is not your own, you can even order all on-record filings for that entity. This certified collection may include documents such as original registration (for example, if the company is not from the state of Massachusetts), original articles of formation, amendments, conversion, and more.

 

When you need a Good Standing Certificate quickly, such as in 1 to 2 business days, SunDoc is here to expedite your Good Standing request.

 

Find more information about document fees and request forms on the state of Massachusetts website. They also have a business search tool online, which can be used to conduct records research.

 

When Do You Need A Certificate Of Good Standing?

 

Certificates of Good Standing will make up a part of your company's legal documentation. These certificates are necessary for a variety of reasons. For example, you may need this document in order to:

• Apply for a line of credit
• Apply for a business loan
• Handle tax matters
• Take care of licensing requirements
• Buy a company outright 
• Sell your company
• Be involved with an acquisition or merger

 

Keep in mind that even if you owe taxes to the state of Massachusetts, you can still be in good standing. It's simply important that you are not out of compliance with the state tax process.

 

Lastly, if you plan to register to do business in another state, you'll need a Certificate of Good Standing. SunDoc is here to assist you with your foreign qualification as well.

 

Remember to always determine the exact requirements for your complete documentation. This includes any expiration dates. In certain states, your certification status must be less than 60 days or 30 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 Massachusetts, 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.

 

How To Get Your Good Standing Certificate

 

Some states offer a way to order a Certificate of Good Standing electronically, in which case you can only order by mail or personally through the state office.

 

Requests presented in person can generally be processed by the second business day, while mailed-in requests take 5-15 business days. Massachusetts does offer a Rush service for Good Standing requests.

 

Next Steps

 

SunDoc Filings will save you valuable time on your routine business filings, including your request for a Certificate of Good Standing, by expediting your order. Other filing companies may send in your documents by mail, but we always go directly to the Massachusetts Secretary of State office multiple times each day to hand deliver documents and pick up forms.

 

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