Certificate of Good Standing Illinois
An Illinois 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 Illinois guide, we will discuss the requirements for good standing and exactly how to get a certificate of good standing in Illinois.
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ZenBusiness ($100 + state fee)
How Do I Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Illinois?
You can obtain your Illinois certificate of good standing by requesting it from the Secretary 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 Illinois Business is Compliant
To qualify for an Illinois certificate of good standing, your business must stay up-to-date with state compliance requirements:
Licenses & Permits
To operate your business in Illinois, 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 State of Illinois website.
State Taxes
Depending on your business activity, you will have to register for different forms of Illinois state tax. This can include sales tax, withholding tax, or Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax.
Annual Reports
All Illinois LLCs and corporations must file an annual report. This report verifies the business’s basic information and — for corporations — summarizes yearly finances.
The report is filed with the Secretary of State, and it is due each year prior to the first day of the month in which the business was formed. It can be filed online, by mail, or in person. The filing fee is $75.
Step 2. Order Your Illinois Certificate of Good Standing
Once your business remains compliant with the state, you can request an Illinois certificate of good standing from the Illinois Secretary of State. This can be done online or by mail.
ORDER AN ILLINOIS CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING ONLINE
Submit your LLC certificate order by mail
- OR -
Submit your corporation certificate order by mail
Filing Cost: $25
LLC Mailing Address:
Secretary of State
Department of Business Services
Limited Liability Division
501 S. Second St., Rm. 351
Springfield, IL 62756
Corporation Mailing Address:
Secretary of State
Department of Business Services
Corporations Division
501 S. Second St., Rm. 330
Springfield, IL 62756
Need Help Filing?
Use a professional service to help you order your Illinois Certificate of Good Standing
Our favorite choice is ZenBusiness ($75 + state fee)
Do I Need a Certificate of Good Standing in Illinois?
While you don’t necessarily need a certificate of good standing to run your business in Illinois, 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
Illinois Certificate of Good Standing FAQ
What is an Illinois 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 an Illinois certificate of good standing by remaining compliant with state regulations and ordering a certificate online or by mail.
How much does a certificate of good standing cost?
In Illinois, ordering a certificate of good standing costs $25.
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?
An Illinois 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 an Illinois 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?
Illinois businesses often need a certificate of good standing in order to do business outside of Illinois, obtain business loans, open business bank accounts, or purchase business insurance.
Who is required to get a certificate of good standing?
Illinois 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 Illinois or get a business bank account.
Where do I find a certificate of good standing?
After ordering your Illinois certificate of good standing online, it will be immediately available online to print. If you order by mail, the Secretary of State will mail you the certificate after it is processed.