# What is a certificate of good standing? *Reviewed 2026-07-10* ## Short answer A certificate of good standing is a state document confirming your company exists, has filed its required reports, and has paid its fees. License applications, lenders, and foreign qualification filings commonly ask for a recent one. It is issued by the state where the entity is formed or qualified, usually for a small fee. The certificate proves the entity's status at a point in time, which is why requesters usually want one issued within the last 30 to 90 days. Falling out of good standing, most often from a missed annual report or fee, can hold up a license application, a financing round, or a renewal until the entity is reinstated. Multi-state operators should watch status in every state where they are formed or qualified, not just the home state. A lapse in any of them can surface at the worst time, in the middle of a regulator's review. Keeping annual reports current is the cheap way to never need a rush reinstatement. ## Related - [What is an annual report?](/answers/what-is-an-annual-report-and-do-i-have-to-file-one) - [Licensing services](/services) - [Talk with our team](/contact)