Delaware Certificate of Good Standing
As your company expands, you’ll probably be required to show proof that your Delaware business is in “Good Standing” with the state.
Follow our D.I.Y. Guide below to learn how to get the certificate you need.
Or click on any of the links below to learn more:
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What is a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing?
A Delaware Certificate of Good Standing (sometimes called a Certificate of Status or Existence) verifies your LLC or corporation is in compliance or “good standing” with the state. In other words, this state-issued document demonstrates your business has no outstanding taxes or fees, and is current with all required business filings.
In most states (including Delaware), you can choose from one of two types of certificates:
- Short form: Includes the name of the business and current status.
- Long form: Includes the name of your business, current status, all state documents that have been filed (including dates and times), and any business name changes (if applicable).
Why You Might Need to Prove Good Standing
You won’t need a Certificate of Good Standing for most day-to-day operations. However, there will likely come a time in your business journey when you’ll need to get one, including:
- Expanding into another state: If you plan on expanding your business to another state (a process known as foreign registration), you’ll likely need proof of compliance from your home state — in this case, Delaware.
- Applying for a business loan: It’s not uncommon for banks to require a Certificate of Good Standing to apply for a business loan. Basically, some banks want assurance that your business is current with state fees and filings before lending your LLC or corporation money.
- Buying business insurance: Depending on your insurance company, you may be asked to provide proof of Good Standing along with your initial formation documents.
- Selling your business: Before you can accept that big offer to buy your company, the purchaser will want to know that your business is currently in good standing.
How To Get a Certificate of Good Standing in DE
To obtain a Certificate of Good Standing, you must file a Certification Request Memo. The filing fee is $50 for short forms and $175 for long forms. Here’s a complete list of everything you’ll need to include:
- Name of the person or business filing the request.
- Return mailing address.
- Depository account number (if applicable). If you don’t have a Depository account, you can leave this blank.
- Legal name of your business.
- File number. If you don’t have a file number, you can leave this blank.
- Type of Certificate: Indicate whether you want a Short or Long Form
Where to File Your Certification Request Memo:
You can submit this filing by mail or online.
Mail:
Delaware Division of Corporations
401 Federal Street – Suite 4
Dover, DE 19901
Online:
Upload your completed memo to the Delaware eCorp Business Services.
How long does it take to get a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing?
Standard processing times vary (1-3 weeks) depending on the current workflow and season. Need expedited service? You can pay an additional fee for faster turnaround:
- Same day: $50 (short form) or $80 (long form)
- 24 hours: $40 (short form) or $60 (long form)
- Two hours: $500
- One hour: $1000
Does a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing expire?
It depends. For example, if you register as a foreign entity in Maryland or New York, you must include a Certificate of Good Standing issued (at most) 60 days before registering. The same is true for many banks and insurance companies. Why? Because a company’s status can change quickly, providing the most up-to-date information is essential.
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