How to Get an Illinois Certificate of Good Standing or Certificate of ExistenceA certificate of good standing in the State of Illinois is for corporations and LLC entities. A Certificate of Existence can be requested for LP, LLP, and LLLP entities in Illinois. You can order by fax, mail, phone, in person or online, but we recommend online. Online orders are processed immediately. Normal processing takes up to 10 business days, plus additional time for mailing, and costs $25. Expedited service is available for $20 more and should take less than 24 hours, plus additional time for mailing. Show
You can orderOnline: By
Mail: By Fax: By Phone: In Person: How much does an Illinois Certificate of Good Standing or Existence cost?To register as a Illinois Corporation.
Is expedited processing available?Yes. An expedited service fee payment is required, depending on the type of entity and type of order. Payment options?Check, Money Order, Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. How long does it take to get a Certificate of Good Standing or Existence?
How will the Certificate of Good Standing or Certificate of Existence come back after I order from the Illinois Secretary of State?It will be mailed by regular mail, unless you request otherwise and provide a pre-addressed prepaid envelope or UPS/Fed Ex account number. Return service by fax or email is available only if paying for expedited service. Order an Illinois Certificate of Good Standing or Existence Online:Forms:Contact Info:Illinois Secretary of State When you need to show that your Illinois business is in compliance with state law, you’ll likely need an Illinois Certificate of Good Standing (CGS). It might be needed to apply for government funding, to open a bank account, or to open your corporation or limited liability company (LLC) outside of Illinois. However, if the thought of obtaining a CGS, like all things bureaucratic, sounds daunting, we’re here to help! In this guide, we’ll explain the steps you need to take to get a Certificate of Good Standing. In Illinois, CGSs are issued by the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State. This legal document states that your business entity exists, that it’s allowed to conduct business in Illinois, and, most of all, that it’s in compliance with state regulations. Being in compliance is a fundamental requirement to obtain your CGS. If you’re struggling with staying compliant, ZenBusiness is ready to lend a hand. We know how to keep you in good standing. With our worry free compliance service, you won’t have to worry anymore. What does a Certificate of Good Standing confirm?The release of a CGS confirms that your LLC or corporation has:
None of the above is spelled out in the document. That’s because these three key aspects are the basic requirements to be eligible to receive a CGS. The content of Illinois’s CGS will instead indicate the following:
The actual document reads: “I (SECRETARY OF STATE NAME), Secretary of State of the State of Illinois, do hereby certify that (COMPANY NAME) is an Illinois Corporation registered to transact business in Illinois on (FORMATION DATE). I further certify that all fees and documents required by the Secretary of State’s office have been received and is in good standing as far as this office is concerned.” Why do you need an Illinois Certificate of Good Standing?You might need a CGS for many reasons. It’s not mandatory, but it’s pretty common to be asked to provide a CGS for the following reasons.
What Illinois business entities can request a CGS?Only entities registered with the state of Illinois can request a CGS. LLCs and corporations need to register with the Office of the Secretary of State. This includes professional LLCs, profit corporations, professional corporations (PCs), and nonprofit corporations. Limited partnerships also need to file for registration and can lawfully request an Illinois CGS. Sole proprietorships don’t require registration and can’t get a CGS. However, if they’re operating under an assumed name (doing business as, or DBA), they need to register. How do you get an Illinois Certificate of Good Standing?There are two steps to get a CGS: Checking if you’re in compliance and then actually requesting it from the Secretary of State’s website. Being in ComplianceTo obtain a CGS, you need to be in compliance with all state laws. In other words, you need to have all your affairs in order. More specifically, it involves licenses, taxes, and annual reports. LicensesLicenses to operate, such as building permits or commercial authorizations, are key. They can be different on federal, state, and local levels. Make sure you have all the right ones and that they haven’t expired. Taxes and State FeesHave you filed for your business’s taxes this year? If so, you’re good to go. Just be certain you’ve paid in time the ones that apply to your Illinois company, be it unemployment insurance tax or any other tax. Annual ReportsIllinois LLCs and corporations must file an annual report. This report/statement describes your corporation’s or LLC’s operations and asks you to confirm such information as the entity’s address, registered agent, managers, directors, and officers. At ZenBusiness we know that managing so many things can be overwhelming even for the most organized business. That’s why we offer a worry free compliance service. This way, we’ll be doing the work for you, and you don’t have to agonize over it. Requesting your Illinois Certificate of Good StandingOnce you’re sure you’re in compliance, don’t forget to double-check if you really need a CGS and if it will be valid for your intended use. If you’re certain it is, you can choose your preferred way to request a CGS. In Illinois, this can be done online, by email, or by phone. Online Start by signing in on the Illinois Secretary of State’s portal. Scroll down until you reach the “Certificate of Good Standing” paragraph, and click on “Purchase.” You’ll be redirected to a page from where you can request the CGS. You’ll need your business ID or business name to proceed. Once you’ve filled out the form, you’ll immediately be sent the document. Print it right away from the link on the receipt page or from the returned email. As of 2021, corporations and LLCs must pay $25 for a CGS, and nonprofits are charged $5. The state accepts all major credit cards. If you’d rather do this by email, you can complete the form on the website. You’ll be sent an email from which you can download the certificate. Prices are the same as if you requested it online: $25 for corporations and LLCs and $5 for nonprofits. You can request to have the process expedited. In that case, it’ll be $45 for corporations and LLCs and $15 for nonprofits. Phone You can also call in and request it. For corporations, call (217) 782-6961. For LLC availability, call 217-524-8008 (information updated as of June 2021). Prices are the same as online or by email: $25 for corporations and LLC, and $5 for nonprofit. You can request to have the process expedited. In that case, it’ll be $45 for corporations and LLC and $15 for nonprofit. You can pay while on the phone. ConclusionCompliance may not be simple to keep up with, especially when considering all the other aspects that make a business go round. At ZenBusiness, we understand that your business needs don’t stop after the business has been registered. ZenBusiness can help keep you in good standing with our worry free compliance service. With this service, we not only help keep your business in compliance, but we can also secure an Illinois CGS for you if you need one; you just pay the state fees. And, if you don’t have worry free compliance but still need a CGS, our Certificate of Good Standing service can help. Illinois Certificate of Good Standing FAQs
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Start an LLC in Your State When it comes to compliance, costs, and other factors, these are popular states for forming an LLC. How do I get a certificate of good standing from the Illinois Secretary of State?Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing
For corporations only, you also may purchase a Certificate of Good Standing by calling 217-782-6875. Payment may be made by Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.
Why do I need a certificate of good standing Illinois?When you need to show that your Illinois business is in compliance with state law, you'll likely need an Illinois Certificate of Good Standing (CGS). It might be needed to apply for government funding, to open a bank account, or to open your corporation or limited liability company (LLC) outside of Illinois.
How long does it take to receive a certificate of good standing in Illinois?How long does it take to get a Certificate of Good Standing or Existence?. What does a certificate of good standing look like in Illinois?An Illinois Good Standing Certificate (Illinois Certificate of Existence) is a one page document which looks like a letter and bears the seal and signature of the state of Illinois Secretary of State.
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