Certificate of Good Standing Rhode Island
A Rhode Island certificate of good standing verifies that a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation was legally formed and has been properly maintained.
In our Certificate of Good Standing Rhode Island guide, we will discuss the requirements for good standing and exactly how to get a certificate of good standing in Rhode Island.
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How Do I Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Rhode Island?
You can obtain your Rhode Island certificate of good standing by requesting it from the Department of State.
There are two main steps for getting your certificate of good standing:
2. Order your certificate of good standing
What is a certificate of good standing? A certificate of good standing is a state document that verifies your business was legally formed and has been properly maintained.
Step 1. Make Sure Your Rhode Island Business is Compliant
To qualify for a Rhode Island certificate of good standing, your business must stay up-to-date with state compliance requirements:
Licenses & Permits
To operate your business in Rhode Island, you must follow federal, state, and local licensing guidelines. This can include regulations like health permits and building permits.
You can find out more about state licensing requirements with the State of Rhode Island website.
State Taxes
Depending on your business activity, you will have to register for different forms of Rhode Island state tax. This can include sales tax, withholding tax, or Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax.
Annual Reports
All Rhode Island LLCs and corporations must file an annual report. This report verifies the business’s basic information including its principal office address and registered agent information.
LLC annual reports are filed each year with the Department of State by November 1. Corporation annual reports are filed each year with the Department of State by March 1. This can be done online or by mail. The filing fee is $50.
Step 2. Order Your Rhode Island Certificate of Good Standing
Once your business remains compliant with the state, you can request a certificate of good standing from the Rhode Island Department of State. This can be done online, by mail, by phone, or in person.
ORDER A RHODE ISLAND CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING
Order Online, by Mail, by Phone, or In Person With the Department of State
Read InstructionsFiling Cost: $22 online, $20 by mail, by phone, and in person
Filing Address:
Business Services Division
148 W. River St.
Providence, RI 02904-2615
Phone: (401) 222-3040
Need Help Filing?
Use a dependable service to help you order your Rhode Island Certificate of Good Standing
Our favorite choice is ZenBusiness ($100 + state fee)
Do I Need a Certificate of Good Standing in Rhode Island?
While you don’t necessarily need a certificate of good standing to run your business in Rhode Island, there are several instances where you may need to get one. These include:
- Purchasing business insurance
- Applying for business loans
- Opening a business checking account
- Registering to do business in other states
Rhode Island Certificate of Good Standing FAQ
A certificate of good standing is a legal document that confirms that your business is compliant with state regulations.
Certificates of good standing are also known as certificates of status, certificates of existence, or certificates of compliance.
You can get a Rhode Island certificate of good standing by remaining compliant with state regulations and ordering a certificate online, by mail, by phone, or in person.
In Rhode Island, ordering a certificate of good standing costs $22 online and $20 by mail, by phone, or in person.
Because many banks and insurance companies will want a business’s certificate of good standing in order to do business, we recommend getting one as soon as possible.
A Rhode Island certificate of good standing does not have a set expiration date. However, requesters — such as banks, creditors, and foreign business states — often have their own guidelines for a certificate's validity.
Obtaining a Rhode Island certificate of good standing means that the state recognizes your business as both active and compliant.
Rhode Island businesses often need a certificate of good standing in order to do business outside of Rhode Island, obtain business loans, open business bank accounts, or purchase business insurance.
Rhode Island businesses are not legally required to obtain a certificate of good standing. However, your business may choose to get one if you decide to do business outside of Rhode Island or get a business bank account.
After ordering your Rhode Island certificate of good standing, it will be emailed to you if you order online. If you order by phone or in person, you can pick it up at the Business Services Division office. If you order by mail, the Department of State will mail you your certificate.