If you’ve been asked for a “Certificate of Status,” “Certificate of Good Standing,” or “Certificate of Existence,” don’t panic—this is a routine document. Below is a clear, step-by-step walkthrough of what it is, when you need it, how to make sure you’re eligible, and the easiest ways to get the official PDF fast.
Short on time? You can skip the steps and order your official Florida Certificate of Status online. We retrieve it directly from the state and email the verified PDF.
Ready to order now? Go to the homepage to place your request.
What exactly is a Florida Certificate of Status?
A Florida Certificate of Status is an official statement from the Florida Department of State (Sunbiz) confirming your company exists, is active, and is compliant (e.g., annual report is current, not dissolved/withdrawn). Banks, licensing boards, landlords, investors, and other states often use it as a quick, trusted proof of good standing.
Key points it confirms:
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Your entity is active/authorized in Florida.
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Required filings (like the Annual Report) are current.
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The company hasn’t been administratively dissolved or withdrawn.
When you’ll be asked for it (common scenarios)
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Opening or changing a business bank account
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Getting or renewing a professional or local license
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Financing/loans or vendor credit applications
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Foreign qualification (registering to do business in another state)
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Mergers, acquisitions, or selling your business
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Certain commercial leases and due-diligence requests
If someone asked you for it, they usually want the official PDF issued by the state—no substitutes.
Quick eligibility check (do this first)
Before you request the certificate, make sure your company is in good standing on Sunbiz. Here’s a 60-second checklist:
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Find your entity record on Sunbiz (search by business name or document number).
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Confirm the status shows Active (or equivalent for your entity).
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Verify your Annual Report is filed for the current year.
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If your entity shows Inactive, Admin Dissolved, or Revoked, fix that first (reinstatement or annual report filing). The state won’t issue a certificate until compliance is restored.
If you’re not sure whether your status is clean, double-check now. It’s faster to fix a small issue than to have your certificate request rejected.
Two ways to get the certificate (and how they differ)
Option A: Order directly from Sunbiz
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Self-serve, government portal
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You’ll navigate the site, locate the right link, and complete payment
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Best if you’re comfortable with state websites and don’t mind a few clicks
Option B: Order through a filing service (us)
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We handle the retrieval and formatting for you and email the official PDF
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Helpful if you’re busy, not sure what to select, or need rush/same-day help
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Clear pricing, email delivery, and support if anything is off with your record
Either way, you receive the same official state-issued PDF. The difference is convenience, speed options, and support.
Step-by-step: How to get your Florida Certificate of Status
Step 1 — Confirm your business details
Have these ready:
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Exact legal business name (as it appears on Sunbiz)
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Entity type (LLC, Corporation, Nonprofit, LP, LLP, or Foreign entity)
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Email where you want the PDF delivered
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Optional: Document number from your Sunbiz record (helps avoid name mix-ups)
Step 2 — Make sure you’re in good standing
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Annual report filed this year?
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No pending reinstatement or dissolution?
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Registered agent/current address up to date?
If something is out of date, fix it first (often a quick online filing).
Step 3 — Place the request
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On Sunbiz or via our order form, provide your business details and select delivery speed (standard or rush).
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Pay the state fee (typically $5–$8) plus any service fee if using a filing service.
Step 4 — We (or Sunbiz) retrieve the certificate
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We pull the official certificate directly from Sunbiz for your entity type.
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If the record has issues (name mismatch, inactive status), we’ll notify you with next steps to resolve it.
Step 5 — Get your verified PDF by email
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The official PDF arrives in your inbox.
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Save it and forward it to whoever requested it (banks, agencies, landlords, etc.). Many recipients will accept the PDF; if anyone insists on paper, you can print the PDF or request a mailed copy if needed.
Processing times & costs (what to expect)
| Option | Delivery Time | What you get | Typical Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 1–2 business days | Official Sunbiz PDF by email | $59 + state fee |
| Rush | Same day (often within hours) | Official Sunbiz PDF by email | $89 + state fee |
*Florida’s state fee usually ranges $5–$8 depending on entity type (LLC vs Corporation, etc.).
Need it today? Choose Rush. If your record is clean, same-day PDF delivery is common during business hours.
LLC vs Corporation vs Foreign entity: any difference?
The request process is nearly identical. The certificate text may vary slightly by entity type:
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Florida LLC: Confirms active status, formation date, annual report compliance, and that the LLC hasn’t been dissolved.
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Florida Corporation: Confirms incorporation date, active status, annual report compliance, and not administratively dissolved.
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Foreign (out-of-state) entities registered in FL: Confirms your home state, Florida qualification date, and active status in Florida.
Common mistakes (and fast fixes)
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Name mismatch: Use the exact legal name from Sunbiz (commas, punctuation, LLC/Inc suffix).
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Annual report overdue: File the annual report first—otherwise the certificate won’t be issued.
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Entity confusion: Don’t request a certificate for a fictitious name/DBA—DBAs aren’t separate legal entities and don’t get Certificates of Status.
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Wrong email: Double-check the delivery email so your PDF doesn’t disappear into an inbox you don’t control.
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Inactive status: If you’re listed as inactive/dissolved, complete reinstatement or required filings, then request the certificate.
What if Sunbiz denies the request?
It’s usually one of these:
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Annual report missing → File it, then re-request.
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Administrative dissolution → Reinstatement required.
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Wrong company → Use document number or copy-paste the exact legal name from Sunbiz.
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Foreign entity issues → Ensure your Florida qualification is active and not withdrawn.
If you order through us and there’s a record problem, we’ll flag it and outline the quickest fix before completing the retrieval.
How to verify authenticity (for your recipient)
The PDF is issued from the state. Recipients can:
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Cross-reference your Sunbiz record online (entity should show Active)
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Review the certificate number/metadata on the document
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Contact the Florida Division of Corporations if they require direct verification
In practice, banks, agencies, and other states routinely accept the emailed PDF.
Privacy & delivery tips
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The certificate shows public record info; it does not expose sensitive financial data.
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Save the PDF to your drive and forward as-received (don’t edit or convert).
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If a paper original is required (rare), print the PDF or request a mailed copy.
FAQ (quick answers)
Is “Certificate of Status” the same as “Good Standing” or “Existence”?
Yes—different names, same purpose in Florida.
Can someone else order it for my company?
Yes—if they have the correct business details. We routinely retrieve certificates on behalf of owners, attorneys, and accountants.
How long is the certificate “valid”?
There’s no hard expiration date, but most banks and agencies want a certificate issued recently (often within the last 30–90 days). Order fresh when requested.
Do sole proprietorships/DBAs get one?
No. These are not separate legal entities in Florida; Certificates of Status apply to registered entities (LLC, Corporation, Nonprofit, LP/LLP, Foreign entities).
Quick checklist (copy/paste)
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Confirm entity is Active on Sunbiz
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Annual Report is filed for the current year
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Exact legal name and/or document number ready
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Choose Standard (1–2 business days) or Rush (same day)
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Provide delivery email for the PDF
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Save and forward the official PDF to the requester
Wrap-up
That’s it. Getting a Florida Certificate of Status is straightforward once you know what to check and where to request it. If you’re in a hurry, using a filing service avoids the guesswork and keeps the process moving—especially if a bank, landlord, or another state is waiting on you.
Ready to order? Head to the homepage to request your official Florida Certificate of Status PDF. We’ll retrieve it directly from the state and email it to you—fast, accurate, and secure.