Certificate of Good Standing Florida
A Florida 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 Florida guide, we will discuss the requirements for good standing and exactly how to get a certificate of good standing in Florida.
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How Do I Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Florida?
You can obtain your certificate of good standing, known as a certificate of status in Florida, 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 Florida Business is Compliant
To qualify for a Florida certificate of status, your business must stay up-to-date with state compliance requirements:
Licenses & Permits
To operate your business in Florida, 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 Florida Department of State website.
State Taxes
Depending on your business activity, you will have to register for different forms of Florida state tax. This can include sales tax or Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax.
Florida does not have a state withholding tax.
Annual Reports
All Florida 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 report is filed online with the Department of State by May 1 each year. The filing fee is $138.75.
Step 2. Order Your Florida Certificate of Good Standing
Once your business remains compliant with the state, you can request a Florida certificate of status from the Department of State. This can be done online.
ORDER A FLORIDA CERTIFICATE OF STATUS
Order Online With Florida Sunbiz
Filing Cost: $5 for LLCs, $8.75 for corporations
Do I Need a Certificate of Good Standing in Florida?
While you don’t necessarily need a certificate of status to run your business in Florida, 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
Florida 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 Florida, a certificate of good standing is known as a certificate of status.
Certificates of good standing are also known as certificates of existence or certificates of compliance.
You can get a Florida certificate of status by remaining compliant with state regulations and ordering a certificate online.
In Florida, ordering a Certificate of Status costs $5 for LLCs and $8.75 for corporations.
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 Florida certificate of status 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 Florida certificate of status means that the state recognizes your business as both active and compliant.
Florida businesses often need a certificate of status in order to do business outside of Florida, obtain business loans, open business bank accounts, or purchase business insurance.
Florida businesses are not legally required to obtain a certificate of status. However, your business may choose to get one if you decide to do business outside of Florida or get a business bank account.
After ordering your Florida certificate of status, it will be available online.