Certificate of Good Standing
A Delaware-issued document certifying an LLC's good standing status.
Definition
A Certificate of Good Standing is an official Delaware Division of Corporations document confirming that an LLC is current on franchise tax and registered agent obligations. State fee: $50 for short-form, $175 for long-form.
Context
Banks, counterparties, and some platforms request a Certificate of Good Standing during due diligence. The document is valid for 90 days from issuance.
Example
A founder applying for a Mercury business account is asked to provide a Certificate of Good Standing. They order it through the Delaware iCIS portal or via their registered agent and receive it within 24 hours.
Common pitfalls
- Certificate is time-stamped; counterparties may reject certificates older than 90 days.
- An LLC with unpaid franchise tax cannot obtain a Certificate of Good Standing.