Certificate of Good Standing Louisiana
A Louisiana 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 Louisiana guide, we will discuss the requirements for good standing and exactly how to get a certificate of good standing in Louisiana.
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How Do I Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Louisiana?
You can obtain your Louisiana certificate of good standing by requesting it from the Secretary 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 Louisiana Business is Compliant
To qualify for a Louisiana certificate of good standing, your business must stay up-to-date with state compliance requirements:
Licenses & Permits
To operate your business in Louisiana, 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 Louisiana Secretary of State website.
State Taxes
Depending on your business activity, you will have to register for different forms of Louisiana state tax. This can include sales tax, withholding tax, or Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax.
Annual Reports
All Louisiana 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.
The report is filed online with the Secretary of State. It is due every year on or before the date on which the business was formed. The filing fee is $30.
Step 2. Order Your Louisiana Certificate of Good Standing
Once your business remains compliant with the state, you can request a Louisiana certificate of good standing from the Secretary of State. This can be done online or by submitting a written request by mail or by fax.
ORDER A LOUISIANA CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING
OPTION 1: Order Online With the Secretary of State
Order Online- OR -
OPTION 2: Order by Mail or by Fax
Read InstructionsFiling Cost: $20
Mailing Address:
Louisiana Secretary of State
P.O. Box 94125
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Fax: (225) 932-5313
Need Help Filing?
Use a professional service to help you order your Louisiana Certificate of Good Standing
Our favorite choice is ZenBusiness ($100 + state fee)
Do I Need a Certificate of Good Standing in Louisiana?
While you don’t necessarily need a certificate of good standing to run your business in Louisiana, 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
Louisiana 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 Louisiana certificate of good standing by remaining compliant with state regulations and ordering a certificate online, by mail, or by fax.
In Louisiana, ordering a certificate of good standing costs $20.
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 Louisiana 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 Louisiana certificate of good standing means that the state recognizes your business as both active and compliant.
Louisiana businesses often need a certificate of good standing in order to do business outside of Louisiana, obtain business loans, open business bank accounts, or purchase business insurance.
Louisiana 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 Louisiana or get a business bank account.
After ordering your Louisiana certificate of good standing online, it will be available to print. For mail or fax filings, the Secretary of State will send you your certificate by mail.