Certificate of Good Standing
A certificate of good standing validates that a limited liability company or corporation was founded lawfully and has been properly maintained. You need a certificate for several reasons: opening a bank account, applying for loans, leasing commercial space, or moving a business out of state.
Obtaining a Certificate of Authority
To get a Certificate of Authority in Alabama, apply to the secretary of state’s office. Submit an application along with home state certificates. The South Dakota Secretary of State allows online and mail-in certificate requests.
Additional Information
All Alabama certificate orders are refundable before payment to the Secretary of State, minus cancellation fees and processing expenses. This certificate is often called a certificate of existence, status certificate, or certificate of authorization.
A certificate is not required for a sole proprietorship in any state. However, corporations and LLCs may need one in some states. In Alabama, it is known as a certificate of compliance. Any Georgia company can order certified copies of its formation documents from the Secretary of State. Processing time is 5 days plus mailing.