Certificate of Good Standing Ohio
An Ohio 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 Ohio guide, we will discuss the requirements for good standing and exactly how to get a certificate of good standing in Ohio.
Or use a professional service:
ZenBusiness ($100 + state fee)
How Do I Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Ohio?
You can obtain your Ohio 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 Ohio Business is Compliant
To qualify for an Ohio certificate of good standing, your business must stay up-to-date with state compliance requirements:
Licenses & Permits
To operate your business in Ohio, 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 Ohio website.
State Taxes
Depending on your business activity, you will have to register for different forms of Ohio state tax. This can include sales tax, withholding tax, or Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax.
Ohio businesses must also pay a yearly gross receipts tax called a Commercial Activity Tax.
Step 2. Order Your Ohio Certificate of Good Standing
Once your business remains compliant with the state, you can request an Ohio certificate of good standing from the Secretary of State. This can be done online, by mail, or in person.
ORDER AN OHIO CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING
OPTION 1: Order Online with the Secretary of State
Order Online- OR -
OPTION 2: Order by Mail or In Person
Download FormFiling Cost: $5
Mailing Address:
Ohio Secretary of State
P.O. Box 670
Columbus, OH 43216
Office Address:
Ohio Secretary of State
180 E. Broad St, 16th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215
Need Help Filing?
Use a dependable service to help you order your Ohio Certificate of Good Standing
Our favorite choice is ZenBusiness ($100 + state fee)
Do I Need a Certificate of Good Standing in Ohio?
While you don’t necessarily need a certificate of good standing to run your business in Ohio, 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
Ohio 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 an Ohio certificate of good standing by remaining compliant with state regulations and ordering a certificate online, by mail, or in person.
In Ohio, ordering a certificate of good standing costs $5.
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.
An Ohio 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 an Ohio certificate of good standing means that the state recognizes your business as both active and compliant.
Ohio businesses often need a certificate of good standing in order to do business outside of Ohio, obtain business loans, open business bank accounts, or purchase business insurance.
Ohio 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 Ohio or get a business bank account.
After ordering your Ohio certificate of good standing online, it will be available online to view and print. If you order it by mail, the Secretary of State will mail you your certificate. If you order in person, you can also pick it up in person.