Is a Florida Certificate of Status the same as a Certificate of Good Standing or Certificate of Existence?

Yes. In Florida, Certificate of Status, Certificate of Good Standing, and Certificate of Existence refer to the same official document issued by the Florida Department of State (Sunbiz).

Who issues the Florida Certificate of Status?

The Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) issues the Certificate of Status. We retrieve the official document directly from Sunbiz.

Can I use a Florida Certificate of Status for registration in another state?

Yes. A current Certificate of Status is commonly required when registering your Florida business to operate in another state (foreign qualification), and for banking, licensing, financing, and certain contracts.

What if my annual report is overdue in Sunbiz?

Sunbiz will not issue a Certificate of Status if your annual report or required fees are overdue. Update your filings first, then place your order.

Florida Certificate of Status

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Florida Certificate of Good Standing — This official document from the Florida Department of State confirms your business is active and compliant. Order your Certificate of Good Standing online with same-day delivery.

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Whether you refer to it as a Florida Certificate of Good Standing, Certificate of Status, or Certificate of Existence, it’s the same official Sunbiz document recognized by banks and government agencies.

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Ordering your Florida business certificate online is a simple process handled entirely through Sunbiz, the state’s official records portal. Whether you’re requesting a Certificate of Status or its equivalent, the Certificate of Good Standing, both confirm that your company is active, compliant, and recognized by the Florida Department of State. Our specialists manage every step to ensure fast, accurate delivery of your verified document.

Pricing

Standard Service

^$ 59 _{+ State Fee}

Get your Florida Good Standing Certificate within 1–2 business days.

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Rush Service

^$ 89 _{+ State Fee}

Need it today? Certificate of Existence for your Florida LLC or corporation

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State fee typically ranges from $5–$8 depending on entity type (LLC or Corporation).

What Is a Florida Certificate of Status?

A Florida Certificate of Status (also called a Certificate of Good Standing) is an official document issued by the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). It confirms that a business:

Is properly registered with the State of Florida
Is currently active and in “good standing”
Has filed all required reports and paid all required state fees
Is not administratively dissolved or delinquent

This certificate is commonly used as official proof that your business is compliant with Florida business laws and able to conduct business normally.

What Information the Certificate Includes

A typical Florida Certificate of Status will show:

Business name
Registration/document number
Entity type (LLC, corporation, etc.)
Certification date
Statement confirming active status and compliance

Why It’s Called “Certificate of Status” in Florida

In many states, this document is known as a Certificate of Good Standing or Certificate of Existence, but in Florida the state calls it a Certificate of Status even though it serves the same purpose.

Common Situations Where You’ll Need One

You often must present this certificate when:

Opening or renewing a business bank account
Applying for business loans or credit
Registering your business in another state (foreign qualification)
Securing vendor contracts or government bids
License renewals and professional compliance checks

Certificate of Status vs Certified Copy

Many site visitors confuse these terms:

Certificate of Status confirms that your business is active and compliant
Certified Copy is a certified reproduction of your business’s official formation documents (Articles of Organization or Incorporation)

Florida-Specific Compliance Factors That Affect Certificate Issuance

In Florida, a Certificate of Status can only be issued if a business remains fully compliant in the Sunbiz system at the time of the request. Florida has strict compliance triggers that directly impact whether a certificate can be generated.

One of the most common issues occurs after the annual report filing deadline, which Florida enforces every year. Businesses that miss the deadline may be marked administratively dissolved or inactive, making them immediately ineligible for a Certificate of Status until reinstatement is completed.

Florida also treats foreign entities differently than domestic entities. A foreign LLC or corporation registered in Florida must maintain both its home-state compliance and its Florida filings to remain eligible for a Florida-issued Certificate of Status.

Because of these rules, banks, lenders, and out-of-state agencies often require a recently issued Florida Certificate of Status to confirm that the business is compliant at the time of review—not just historically registered.

How It Works

Submit Your Business Information

Provide your LLC, corporation, or foreign entity information to request a official business certificate from Florida Sunbiz.

We Retrieve Your Certificate from Sunbiz

Our team retrieves your official certificate directly from Sunbiz — the Florida Division of Corporations, ensuring it’s the same verified document issued by the state.

Receive Your Official PDF via Email

Get your official Sunbiz certificate PDF by email—ready for banks, licensing, or compliance needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers about Florida Certificate of Status — who needs it, what’s included, costs, how fast you can get it, and how to order online or for someone else.

Do I need a Certificate of Status for my Florida LLC?

Yes. Most banks, lenders, and government agencies require a Florida Certificate of Status (also called a Certificate of Good Standing) to confirm your company is active and compliant.

How much does a Florida Certificate of Status cost?

The state fee typically ranges from $5 to $8, depending on the business type (corporation, LLC, etc.). Our service fee is $35 or $55 based on the delivery speed you choose

Florida Certificate of Status vs Certificate of Existence — what’s the difference?

In Florida, both terms are often used interchangeably. They both confirm that a business is active and compliant. However, always check which term your requesting party prefers.

Can I order a Florida Good Standing Certificate online?

Yes. Our service makes it easy to order your Florida Certificate of Status online in minutes. We retrieve it directly from Sunbiz and deliver it by email as a secure PDF.

How to Get a Florida Certificate of Status

Ordering a Certificate of Status in Florida is a quick and simple process. You can request one online through our secure filing service , or if you’d like to see a detailed breakdown of every step, visit our step-by-step guide on how to get a Florida Certificate of Status

Why Your Florida Business Might Need a Certificate of Status

While Florida law doesn’t require businesses to always maintain a Certificate of Status, having one on hand can be extremely helpful in many professional and legal situations. You may need to present this certificate when: Selling or transferring ownership of your business Registering your Florida company to operate in another state (Foreign Qualification) Verifying recent updates to your business details, such as a name change for an LLC Confirming registration of a Fictitious Name (also known as a DBA) Demonstrating legitimacy to potential investors or partners Opening a new business bank account Applying for specific professional or local licenses Meeting the requirements of certain commercial lease agreements Applying for business loans or establishing credit with suppliers

Can I use a Florida Certificate of Status for out-of-state registration?

Yes — this document is often required when expanding your Florida business to operate in another state.

Yes — both terms refer to the same official document issued by the Florida Department of State.

What’s included in a Florida Certificate of Status?

The certificate confirms that your business exists, has properly filed annual reports, and is authorized to operate in Florida. It includes your business name, registration number, and an official statement of good standing issued by Sunbiz (Florida Division of Corporations).

How fast can I receive my Florida Business Status Certificate?

With our Standard Service, you’ll receive it within 1–2 business days. If you need it urgently, our Rush Service delivers it within 2 hours.

Can I order a Certificate of Status for someone else?

Yes — as long as you provide the correct business details, you can order a certificate on behalf of a business partner, client, or another company.

Who issues the Certificate of Status in Florida?

The certificate is officially issued by the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz).

Which Florida Entities Can Obtain a Certificate of Status?

Any active business registered with Sunbiz can obtain a Florida Certificate of Status — including LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, LPs, and LLPs. Sole proprietorships and DBAs aren’t eligible since they aren’t formal entities. The Certificate of Status confirms that your Florida business is legally registered, current with all required filings, and authorized to conduct business in the state. It is often required when opening business bank accounts, applying for financing, renewing licenses, or entering into contracts.

Why is “good standing” important for your Florida business?

Maintaining good standing ensures that a Florida corporation or LLC retains its legal rights and privileges to operate as a registered business entity. A Certificate of Good Standing is often needed when registering to do business in other states and may also be required during financing or major business transactions. Losing good standing can lead to serious consequences, including fines, restrictions on filing lawsuits, loss of the ability to operate in other states, and even the administrative dissolution of the company.

Still have questions about the process? Read our detailed step-by-step guide on how to get a Florida Certificate of Status for a complete walkthrough — including eligibility checks, fees, and delivery times.

Florida Certificate of Status (Good Standing) — Domestic & Foreign Entities

A Florida Certificate of Status (also known as a Certificate of Good Standing or Certificate of Existence) is an official document from the Florida Department of State that proves your business is legally active, compliant, and in good standing.

Entity Type	What It Confirms
Florida Domestic LLC	Active status, formation date, fees paid, last annual report filed, not dissolved
Florida Domestic Corp	Active status, incorporation filing date, fees paid, last annual report filed, not dissolved
Florida Foreign Entity	State of organization, entity name, Florida qualification date, active status, fees paid, last annual report filed, not withdrawn

Why It Matters:

Required for opening bank accounts, securing financing, licensing, or expanding into new states
Required in contracts, mergers, investor due diligence, and more

Order Your Certificate of Status Today

Basic Service – $59+ State Fee (1–2 business days)
Expedited Service – $89+ State Fee (same-day delivery)

Stay Compliant Before Requesting a Florida Certificate of Status

You won’t be able to receive a Florida Certificate of Good Standing (COS) if your business is not in full compliance with state requirements. Before submitting your request, make sure all of your company’s filings and fees are up to date with the Florida Department of State.

This means verifying that you’ve paid all applicable business fees, submitted your annual report, and filed any other required documentation for your entity type. Failing to keep your records current can delay or even prevent the issuance of your Certificate of Status. Taking a few moments to confirm compliance helps ensure your request is processed quickly and without issues.All Florida Certificate of Status orders are processed directly through Sunbiz, the official business records portal of the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations.

Our service makes it simple to request your Sunbiz Certificate of Status online — whether for an LLC or corporation — and receive your verified PDF by email within hours.
We’re a private filing service that ensures fast, accurate delivery of official documents without the hassle of navigating government websites.

Tip: Before ordering, double-check that your company’s annual report is current in the Sunbiz system. If your report is overdue, Sunbiz won’t issue the certificate until it’s updated.

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Need a specific type of Florida Certificate of Status?

Florida LLC Certificate of Status | Corporation Certificate of Status | Nonprofit Certificate of Status