Certificate of Good Standing Delaware
A Delaware 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 Delaware guide, we will discuss the requirements for good standing and exactly how to get a certificate of good standing in Delaware.
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How Do I Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Delaware?
You can obtain your certificate of good standing, known as a certificate of status in Delaware, by requesting it from the Department 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 Delaware Business is Compliant
To qualify for a Delaware certificate of status, your business must stay up-to-date with state compliance requirements:
Licenses & Permits
To operate your business in Delaware, 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 Delaware One Stop website.
State Taxes
Depending on your business activity, you will have to register for different forms of Delaware state tax. This can include withholding tax or Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax.
Delaware does not have a state sales tax. Instead, the state levies a gross receipts tax on a business’s gross revenue.
All Delaware LLCs must pay a $300 annual tax, and all Delaware corporations must pay an annual franchise tax based on either their authorized shares or their assumed par value.
Annual Reports
All Delaware corporations must file an annual report along with their franchise tax payments. This report verifies the corporation’s basic information including its principal office address and director information.
You can file your annual report online with the Department of State on or before March 1 of each year. The filing fee is $50.
Delaware LLCs do not have to file an annual report.
Step 2. Order Your Delaware Certificate of Good Standing
Once your business remains compliant with the state, you can request a Delaware certificate of status from the Department of State. This can be done via online PDF upload or by mail.
ORDER A DELAWARE CERTIFICATE OF STATUS
OPTION 1: Order Online With the Department of State
Order Online- OR -
OPTION 2: Order by Mail
Download FormFiling Cost: $50 for short-form certificates, $175 for long-form certificates
Mailing Address:
Delaware Division of Corporations
401 Federal Street - Suite 4
Dover, DE 19901
Need Help Filing?
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Do I Need a Certificate of Good Standing in Delaware?
While you don’t necessarily need a certificate of status to run your business in Delaware, 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
Delaware Certificate of Good Standing FAQ
A certificate of good standing is a legal document that confirms that your business is compliant with state regulations.
In Delaware, a certificate of good standing is known as a certificate of status.
Certificates of good standing are also known as certificates of existence or certificates of compliance.
You can get a Delaware certificate of status by remaining compliant with state regulations and ordering a certificate online or by mail.
In Delaware, ordering a certificate of status costs $50 for a short-form certificate or $175 for a long-form certificate.
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 Delaware certificate of status 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 Delaware certificate of status means that the state recognizes your business as both active and compliant.
Delaware businesses often need a certificate of status in order to do business outside of Delaware, obtain business loans, open business bank accounts, or purchase business insurance.
Delaware businesses are not legally required to obtain a certificate of status. However, your business may choose to get one if you decide to do business outside of Delaware or get a business bank account.
After ordering your Delaware certificate of status, the Department of State will return the certificate by mail.