Certificate of Good Standing Hawaii
A Hawaii 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 Hawaii guide, we will discuss the requirements for good standing and exactly how to get a certificate of good standing in Hawaii.
Or use a professional service:
ZenBusiness ($100 + state fee)
How Do I Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Hawaii?
You can obtain your Hawaii certificate of good standing by requesting it from the Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs.
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 Hawaii Business is Compliant
To qualify for a Hawaii certificate of good standing, your business must stay up-to-date with state compliance requirements:
Licenses & Permits
To operate your business in Hawaii, 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 on the State of Hawaii website.
State Taxes
Depending on your business activity, you will have to register for different forms of Hawaii state tax. This can include withholding tax and Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax.
Hawaii does not have a state sales tax. Instead, businesses must pay a General Excise Tax (GET).
Annual Reports
All Hawaii LLCs and corporations must file an annual report. This report verifies the business’s basic information including its principal office address and registered agent information.
The report is filed with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs either online, by mail, by email, by fax, or in person. The filing fee is $12.50 online and $15 for hard copy filings.
Step 2. Order Your Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing
Once your business remains compliant with the state, you can request a Hawaii certificate of good standing from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. This can be done online.
ORDER A HAWAII CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING
Need Help Filing?
Use a professional service to help you order your Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing
Our favorite choice is ZenBusiness ($75 + state fee)
Do I Need a Certificate of Good Standing in Hawaii?
While you don’t necessarily need a certificate of good standing to run your business in Hawaii, 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
Hawaii Certificate of Good Standing FAQ
What is a Hawaii certificate of good standing?
A certificate of good standing is a legal document that confirms that your business is compliant with state regulations.
Certificates of good standing are also known as certificates of status, certificates of existence, or certificates of compliance.
How do I get a certificate of good standing?
You can get a Hawaii certificate of good standing by remaining compliant with state regulations and ordering a certificate online.
How much does a certificate of good standing cost?
In Hawaii, ordering a certificate of good standing costs $7.50.
How soon do you need a certificate of good standing?
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.
How long is the certificate of good standing valid for?
A Hawaii certificate of good standing 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.
What does a certificate of good standing mean?
Obtaining a Hawaii certificate of good standing means that the state recognizes your business as both active and compliant.
When do you need a certificate of good standing?
Hawaii businesses often need a certificate of good standing in order to do business outside of Hawaii, obtain business loans, open business bank accounts, or purchase business insurance.
Who is required to get a certificate of good standing?
Hawaii businesses are not legally required to obtain a certificate of good standing. However, your business may choose to get one if you decide to do business outside of Hawaii or get a business bank account.
Where do I find a certificate of good standing?
After ordering your Hawaii certificate of good standing with the Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs, it will be available online.