Certificate of Good Standing Connecticut
A Connecticut 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 Connecticut guide, we will discuss the requirements for good standing and exactly how to get a certificate of good standing in Connecticut.
Or use a professional service:
ZenBusiness ($100 + state fee)
How Do I Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Connecticut?
You can obtain your certificate of good standing, known as a certificate of legal existence in Connecticut, by requesting it from the Connecticut Secretary of the 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 Connecticut Business is Compliant
To qualify for a Connecticut certificate of legal existence, your business must stay up-to-date with state compliance requirements:
Licenses & Permits
To operate your business in Connecticut, 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 on the CT.gov website.
State Taxes
Depending on your business activity, you will have to register for different forms of Connecticut state tax. This can include sales tax, withholding tax, or Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax.
Annual Reports
All Connecticut 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.
This is filed online each year with the Secretary of the State. The filing fee is $80 for LLCs and $150 for corporations.
Step 2. Order Your Connecticut Certificate of Good Standing
Once your business remains compliant with the state, you can request a Connecticut certificate of legal existence from the Secretary of the State. This can be done online, by mail, by fax, or in person.
ORDER A CONNECTICUT CERTIFICATE OF LEGAL EXISTENCE
OPTION 1: Order Online With the Secretary of the State
Order Online- OR -
OPTION 2: Order by Mail, by Fax, or In Person
Download FormLLC Filing Cost: $50 for express and short-form certificates, $100 for long-form certificates
Corporation Filing Cost: $50 for express certificates, $80 for short-form certificates, and $120 for long-form certificates
Mailing Address:
Commercial Recording Division
Connecticut Secretary of State
P.O. Box 150470
Hartford, CT 06115-0470
Office Address:
Commercial Recording Division
Connecticut Secretary of State
30 Trinity St.
Hartford, CT 06106
Fax: (860) 509-6057
Need Help Filing?
Use a trusted service to help you order your Connecticut Certificate of Legal Existence
Our favorite choice is ZenBusiness ($100 + state fee)
Do I Need a Certificate of Good Standing in Connecticut?
While you don’t necessarily need a certificate of legal existence to run your business in Connecticut, 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
Connecticut Certificate of Good Standing FAQ
A certificate of good standing is a legal document that confirms that your business is compliant with state regulations.
In Connecticut, a certificate of good standing is known as a certificate of legal existence.
Certificates of good standing are also known as certificates of status or certificates of compliance.
You can get a Connecticut certificate of legal existence by remaining compliant with state regulations and ordering a certificate online, by mail, by fax, or in person.
In Connecticut, ordering a certificate of legal existence for an LLC costs $50 for express and short-form certificates and $100 for long-form certificates.
Ordering a certificate of legal existence for a corporation costs $50 for express certificates, $80 for short-form certificates, and $120 for long-form certificates.
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 Connecticut certificate of legal existence expires after 90 days.
Obtaining a Connecticut certificate of legal existence means that the state recognizes your business as both active and compliant.
Connecticut businesses often need a certificate of legal existence in order to do business outside of Connecticut, obtain business loans, open business bank accounts, or purchase business insurance.
Connecticut businesses are not legally required to obtain a certificate of legal existence. However, your business may choose to get one if you decide to do business outside of Connecticut or get a business bank account.
After ordering your Connecticut certificate of legal existence, the certificate will be available online. Processing time for hard copy orders is 3-5 business days.