Get Florida Certificate of Good Standing (Compliance or Status)

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A Florida certificate of good standing (FL) is a legal document that verifies that your limited liability company (LLC) or corporation was correctly formed and is in good standing with the state.

This Certificate of Good Standing Florida guide will explain how to get a certificate of good standing in Florida and the requirements to get a good standing certificate.

What is a Certificate of Good Standing? 

The certificate- of good standing, aka “certificate of existence,” confirms that a company is up-to-date with its filings and has no legal issues preventing it from conducting business. 

This state document verifies that you have legally formed your LLC or corporation and that your company is properly maintained.

Requirements for Getting a Florida Certificate of Good Standing

In Florida, the certificate of good standing is known as a certificate of compliance or certificate of status issued by the Florida Department of State. To qualify for a Florida certificate of compliance, make sure your corporation or LLC is up-to-date with the following state compliance requirements.

First Requirement

Obtain Business Licenses & Permits

Follow federal, state, and local licensing guidelines to operate your business in Florida in a state-compliant manner. Some examples include health permits, building permits, medical and other professional licenses, etc.

To find more about state licensing requirements, visit the Florida Department of State website.

Second Requirement

Pay State Taxes

Different businesses are subjected to different taxes such as Florida Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax, sales tax, etc. Depending on your business activity, you must register for various forms of Florida state tax. 

Note: There is no state withholding tax in Florida.

First Requirement

Timely Submit Annual Reports

All Florida corporations and LLCs must file an annual report that summarizes their business’s finances over the past year. 

The Florida Department of State requires your business to submit an annual report. The Florida LLC annual report filing fee is $138.75 and is due by May 1 each year. 

How Do I Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Florida?

Once your business is up-to-date with all filings and compliance requirements, you can order your certificate of Good Standing from the state authority.

The Florida certificate of compliance is requested from the Florida Department of State. To order your certificate of compliance online from the Florida Department of State, click the following link.

The filing Cost for the Florida Certificate of Compliance is $5 for LLCs and $8.75 for corporations.

Why Do I Need a Certificate of Good Standing in Florida?

While you don’t necessarily need a certificate of compliance to run your LLC or corporation in Florida, there are several instances where you may need to get one. These include:

  • Opening a business bank account
  • Applying for a business loan or line of credit from a bank
  • Purchasing business insurance
  • Trying to lease commercial space
  • Soliciting funds from potential investors
  • You want to register your LLC or other business in another state as a foreign or out-of-state LLC
  • You want to Transfer or domesticate your business to another state
  • You’re selling your business, and the buyer wants proof that the company is in good legal standing
  • You are contracting with another company
  • You need to show compliance with government regulations in any other situation

FAQs on Florida Certificate of Good Standing

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