Elevate your business standing in Indiana with a Certificate of Existence. Discover its importance and seamlessly navigate the process through our detailed guide, helping ensure your company's credibility and success in the state.
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Starts at $0 + state fees and only takes 5-10 minutes
A business maintains good standing in the state by complying with statutory requirements. Before expanding the operations of your business to another state or obtaining a loan for your business, you might be asked to present an Indiana Certificate of Existence, also called a Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) in other states. But what is a Certificate of Existence, and how do you get one? Our guide explains what getting a Certificate of Existence means, why you might need one, and the process for obtaining one in Indiana.
An Indiana Certificate of Existence signifies that your business is in “good standing” with the state of Indiana. Being in good standing means your business is legally formed and operating in Indiana.
The Indiana Secretary of State fulfills requests for Certificates of Existence.
A business falling out of good standing can result in penalties and even dissolution of your business. The most common way business owners lose their good standing status is by missing mandated filing deadlines. With ZenBusiness’s Worry-Free Compliance service, we can help alleviate the stress of staying legally compliant. Our Worry-Free Compliance service includes:
Whether you’re starting a new business or have already formed one, our Worry-Free Compliance service is here to make your life easier.
A Certificate of Existence certifies that your entity is authorized to conduct business in Indiana and is in compliance with state law. State compliance requirements include:
The CGS signifies to the requesting party that you’re operating your business legally. The Certificate itself states:
I [SECRETARY OF STATE NAME], Secretary of State of the State of Indiana, do hereby certify that COMPANY NAME is an Indiana Corporation registered to transact business in Indiana on FORMATION DATE. I further certify that all fees and documents required by the Secretary of State’s office have been received and is in good standing as far as this office is concerned.
An Indiana Certificate of Existence provides requesting parties with proof that your business is legally compliant. The Indiana certificate itself isn’t required to maintain legal compliance. However, it’s necessary when you:
Many activities require submission of the Certificate of Good Standing at the time of application, so it’s important to be in good standing at all times.
Entities formally registered with the Indiana Secretary of State are able to obtain a Certificate of Existence. Indiana requires corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) to file organizational documents with the Business Securities Division of the Secretary of State for formation. Thus, corporation and LLC business owners can obtain an Indiana Certificate of Existence. ZenBusiness offers formation plans for Indiana LLCs and corporations.
Other businesses able to obtain a Certificate of Existence include:
Companies not required to register with the Secretary of State for formation are unable to request a Certificate of Existence. These include:
Even sole proprietors operating under an assumed name (doing business as/DBA) are unable to order a CGS in Indiana.
Certificates of Existence have no expiration date. However, the party requesting the certificate may ask that it be obtained within a specified time period.
After obtaining the Certificate of Existence, provide it to the requesting party.
First, check that your business is compliant with all of Indiana’s legal requirements. Indiana offers a business portal dedicated to managing important business information, requesting business documents, and filing required reports. To order your Indiana Certificate of Existence, log into your Indiana business portal. Select the Online Services tab, then select Secretary of State Business Service Division. The Certificate of Existence is found by scrolling to Orders and selecting Certificate of Existence.
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, which helps businesses stay compliant with state regulations by sending reminders and filing annual reports and amendments on behalf of the customer. And, if you need a Certificate of Existence, our Certificate of Good Standing service can help.
The Secretary of State charges a small fee to order a Certificate of Existence. Filing through INbiz.gov is typically cheaper than filing in any other manner.
Online processing, the preferred method for ordering your Indiana Certificate of Existence, occurs immediately. Other methods could take several business days.
Online orders of Certificates of Existence are delivered immediately, so any business owner seeking quick service may want to use the online business portal.
Indiana business owners are not required to have a Certificate of Existence available on hand at all times. However, you may need one if you enter into a new contract, apply for a business loan, buy business insurance, or wish to expand your business in other ways. Maintaining your good standing status is critical to being able to obtain a Certificate of Existence anytime you need it.
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 800,000 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.
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