Pennsylvania Certificate of Good Standing

A Certificate of Good Standing is necessary for numerous legal and business reasons. For example, you may need to officially prove that your company is registered to conduct business in Pennsylvania State. Or, you might want to show that your business is currently up-to-date on applicable state requirements in Pennsylvania. Either way, you’ll need a document called a Certificate of Good Standing. 

Certificates of Good Standing can be obtained from your Secretary of State’s office with a records order. On the document (once you receive it) you’ll find an imprint of the seal of Pennsylvania as well as an authorized signature by the Secretary of State.

This same status request can certify other things for you as well. For example, it can certify that your business has previously been dissolved or suspended. It can also help you find certified information on a company other than your own. For this, you can order a certified collection of all on-record filings for any type of business, including their original registration if they are not from the State of Pennsylvania, their original articles formation, amendments, conversion, etc.

Check out Pennsylvania State’s online business search for researching records. Go to the State of Pennsylvania’s website for additional information about fees and record request forms. 

Need to get your Good Standing Certificate fast? For example, do you need it with next business day delivery? Allow SunDoc to expedite your order!

When Do You Need A Certificate Of Good Standing?

There are a number of situations that require a Certificate of Good Standing. First, you’ll need one when buying a business or selling your own. Mergers and acquisitions also require this certificate. The certification will be part of your entity’s entire legal documentation.

As a rule, certain licensing requirements and applying for any type of credit requires good standing certification too. And taxes are another area where you’ll need the certification. Just remember that you can owe taxes to the State of Pennsylvania and still be in good standing, but you have to be in current compliance with the entire tax process. 

Another frequent need for a Certificate of Good Standing is to register to do business in another state (see how SunDoc Filings can help you with foreign qualification). You will have to determine your full documentation requirements. Some states for example require certified status to be less than 30 days old, while some allow 60 days. 

Certificate Of Good Standing Or Certificate Of Status?

You might hear a Certificate of Good Standing called a Certificate of Existence or a Certificate of Status. In Pennsylvania, 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

Requests that are mailed in will usually take about 5 days to 15 days to process, but if you present your request in person, you can usually get it processed by the 2nd business day. There are also rush orders available for Pennsylvania certification of good standing requests.

Next Steps

SunDoc Filings can handle all of your company filings, including your good standing request. There, we receive or hand-deliver official 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 speak to a real human for assistance, please feel free to call us toll-free during business hours at 1-888-595-2747.