Unlock opportunities for your California business by obtaining a Certificate of Status. Explore our guide to understand the importance of this document and learn how it can enhance your company's reputation and success.
Starts at $0 + state fees and only takes 5-10 minutes
If you own a business in California and want to open or transfer your existing business to another state, you’ll need a Certificate of Status (COS), sometimes known as a Certificate of Good Standing or Certificate of Existence. This document indicates that your business exists and operates in compliance with all applicable laws. There are a variety of circumstances that could require you to have a COS, such as getting a loan or selling your business.
Here’s how to get your California Certificate of Status from the Secretary of State. And if you’re concerned about long-term compliance, read about ZenBusiness’s worry free compliance services.
A California Certificate of Status confirms the following about your business:
You don’t need a Certificate of Status to conduct your normal, day-to-day business operations. The circumstances under which you might need one are:
To obtain a California COS, you must be a registered state entity. Corporations andCalifornia LLC are some of the most common entities asking for a Certificate of Status. Limited partnerships or nonprofits may also need one from time to time. If you own a sole proprietorship, you cannot get a Certificate of Good Standing because that kind of business entity does not register with the state.
Before you begin the filing process, ensure that your business is in compliance with all necessary state laws. This means that your company is:
Ensuring compliance is a very detail-oriented and time-consuming process. ZenBusiness’s worry free compliance service can help your business stay in compliance with the state.
In California, your Certificate of Status comes from the Secretary of State. Download the form, print it, fill it out, then mail it in with the necessary fees. Here’s the information you should provide:
The first box asks for the requester’s information. Include your name and the address where you wish to receive the Certificate of Status. This can be the address of the business for which you’re requesting the record. Don’t forget to include your phone number; this is important if the Secretary of State needs to contact you.
If you’re filing this form in person at the Sacramento office, you can indicate how you want to obtain the Certificate of Status. You can pick it up, usually the next business day, or have it mailed to you.
In Box 2, fill out the name of your company exactly as spelled when filing the Articles of Incorporation. Include the Entity or File Number issued by the Secretary of State. This should be on the paperwork you received after your Articles of Incorporation were processed. You don’t have to include this number, but it will help receive your Certificate of Status quicker.
Additionally, check the box indicating what kind of company your business is.
This box allows you to order various copies of reports pertaining to your business. You can order copies of your Articles of Incorporation, amendments, and other reports filed with the Secretary of State. This box is optional. In most cases, you don’t need to order copies of these documents to obtain your Certificate of Status. If you decide you want these documents, carefully note the costs per page listed. There’s a slight price difference between plain and certified copies.
Here’s where you indicate that you want a California Certificate of Status. You can order multiple copies, which may be necessary if you’re dealing with multiple agencies or institutions. Fill out the number of certificates you would like in the far right column.
You have the option of receiving a fax copy of your Certificate of Status prior to receiving the certified paper copies. Provide the fax number in the space indicated. Don’t forget to note that there’s a fee of either $5 or $10 to receive these faxes.
In the lower right box, fill out the fee schedule. Fees are listed directly on the form. Double-check that you’ve filled out the fee schedule correctly. You can pay fees by check or money order, payable to the California Secretary of State.
If you’re filing in person, you can also pay by Visa or MasterCard. Note that filing in person expedites the process but comes with an additional $10 processing fee.
Once you’ve completed the form, you have two options for filing it. Note that the California Secretary of State currently does not accept requests for a Certificate of Status via email or online.
You can mail in your request form and send it to:
Secretary of StateBE Certification and RecordsP.O. Box 944260Sacramento, CA 94244-2600
If you prefer to file in person, drop the form off at:
1500 11th St., 3rd floor, Room 380Sacramento, CA 95814
If you’ve filed your request for a Certificate of Status in person, you should receive your paperwork within the next business day. You must pick it up at the same office.
Otherwise, requests for Certificates of Status are usually processed within one to two business days of receiving the request by mail. You must then wait for the certificate to return to you via mail.
Once you’ve received your Certificate of Status, verify that it’s valid for your intended use. Note that validity depends on the entity or jurisdiction requesting the certificate. If it’s valid, return the certificate to the requesting parties. Most of the time, this will be by mail. Ensure you have the mailing address correct before sending it.
Compliance may not be simple to keep up with, especially when considering all the other aspects that make a business go round. At ZenBusiness, we understand that your business needs don’t stop after the business has been registered. ZenBusiness can help keep you in good standing with our worry-free compliance service. With this service, we not only help keep your business in compliance, but we can also secure a California Certificate of Status for you if you need one; you just pay the state fees. And, if you don’t have worry free compliance but still need a COS, our Certificate of Good Standing service can help.
A Certificate of Status costs $5 per copy.
Order forms are processed between one and three days after the Secretary of State receives the order. Once it processes, you may have to wait a few extra days for the certificate to arrive via mail.
You cannot expedite a request made by mail. If you’re able to file in person, you can receive your request the next business day. You must be physically capable of picking up your certificates. The fee for an expedited request is $10.
You don’t need a Certificate of Status to do business in California. However, some institutions, such as banks or insurance agencies, require this certificate before doing business with you. For instance, a bank might require a Certificate of Good Status before offering you a small business loan.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 700,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
California Business Resources
Get Your Certificate of Good Standing
Start an LLC in Your State
When it comes to compliance, costs, and other factors, these are popular states for forming an LLC.
Ready to Start Your California LLC?
Start Your California LLC