Florida Certificate of Status: How to Prove Your Business Is in Good Standing
Florida Certificate of Status: How to Prove Your Business Is in Good Standing
When a bank, landlord, or state agency asks you to prove your business is in good standing, they want one document. Florida does not use the phrase 'certificate of good standing.' The state calls it a Certificate of Status, and it is the official record that your LLC or corporation is Active with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). If you searched for a florida certificate of good standing, this is the document you need.
This guide covers what the certificate proves, who asks for it, what it costs, how to order it, and why a missed annual report can keep you from getting one. It is informational content, not legal or tax advice.
What a Certificate of Status Proves
A Certificate of Status is the Division's confirmation that your entity is on its records and currently Active. It answers one question: is this company in existence and in good standing with the state right now? It does not license your business, approve your products or services, or certify anything about your taxes. Treat it as a snapshot of your entity's status on the day it is issued.
Who Asks for a Florida Certificate of Status
Expect to be asked for this document in four situations:
- Banks opening a business account or reviewing a business loan application.
- Landlords reviewing a commercial lease application.
- State agencies processing contracts or applications.
- Other states, when your Florida company registers there to do business as a foreign entity.
Requesters often use different names for the same document, so use the state's term on your order and mention the other name in your reply. A typical request reads: 'Please provide a Florida Certificate of Status (sometimes called a certificate of good standing) dated within the last 30 days.' The requester sets the date range, not the state. Ask what they accept before you order, because a certificate that is too old will be rejected even if your entity is Active.
What It Costs and Where to Order It
The certificate carries a flat fee that depends on your entity type:
| Entity type | Certificate of Status fee |
|---|---|
| Limited liability company (LLC) | $5 |
| Corporation | $8.75 |
You order the certificate through Sunbiz, the Division's online system, at dos.fl.gov/sunbiz. Before you order, use the Sunbiz corporation search to confirm your exact legal name and current status. This guide lists only the fees verified against state sources. Check the order page for the current amount, any other charges, and how the certificate is delivered before you pay.
Step-by-Step: Ordering Your Certificate on Sunbiz
- Search your entity. Find your LLC or corporation by name in the Sunbiz search. Confirm the name matches your formation documents exactly, including the LLC, L.L.C., or Inc. ending.
- Check the status line. The record must read Active. If it does not, stop and read the section on inactive entities below.
- Order the certificate. From the Sunbiz order options, choose the Certificate of Status for your entity type and follow the prompts.
- Pay the fee. $5 for an LLC or $8.75 for a corporation.
- Review the certificate. Check the legal name, document number, and status before you send it. A certificate that does not match the name on the requester's form may be rejected and returned to you.
Why a Missed Annual Report Blocks Your Certificate
The Division issues a Certificate of Status only while your entity is Active, and your annual report is what keeps it Active. Every Florida LLC and corporation must file an annual report each year between January 1 and May 1. Miss the window and the cost climbs quickly:
| Entity type | Annual report fee | Filing window | Filed after May 1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC | $138.75 | January 1 to May 1 | $400 late fee, $538.75 total |
| Corporation | $150 | January 1 to May 1 | $400 late fee, $550 total |
For LLCs, failing to file by the third Friday in September leads to administrative dissolution. For 2026, that date is September 18, 2026. If you are reading this after that date and your 2026 report is not on file, check your status on Sunbiz now. A dissolved entity cannot get a Certificate of Status, and no amount of rush ordering changes that. For corporations, confirm the consequences of a missed report on the Division's site, since this guide does not list them.
If Your Status Is Not Active
If Sunbiz shows anything other than Active, your certificate request will not go through. Work through these steps in order:
- Read the Sunbiz record for the entity's current status and check whether an annual report is outstanding.
- File the missing annual report. For an LLC, the fee is $138.75 if filed by May 1, or $538.75 total if filed after May 1.
- If the entity has been administratively dissolved, you will need to reinstate it before a certificate can issue. This guide does not list the reinstatement fee or processing time. Confirm both with the Division before you plan around a timeline.
- Once Sunbiz shows Active, order the certificate.
Tell the requester about the delay early. Many offices will wait for a certificate, but they will not accept a document that does not exist.
Timing and the Walk-In Option
The Division offers no expedited service, so there is no paid rush option. The Division's walk-in office is at 2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810, Tallahassee, open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, and most requests there are completed while you wait. If you need a certificate the same day, that office is your closest option. Confirm before you travel that it handles your request type, since the online order is the standard route. This guide does not list a turnaround time for online certificate orders, so check the Sunbiz order page and build in extra days for any deadline.
Local and Tax Items to Check Before You Need the Certificate
A Certificate of Status covers only the state's entity record. Several other items often come up in the same paperwork:
- No statewide business license. Florida does not issue a general business license. Specific professions and trades, such as contractors, cosmetology, and real estate, are licensed by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- Local business tax receipt. A business tax receipt under Chapter 205 is a local tax, not a competency license. Not every county or city levies it, so check with the local tax collector where you operate.
- Sales tax. If you sell taxable goods or services, register as a sales and use tax dealer with the Florida Department of Revenue before you begin business. The state sales tax rate is 6%. Register through the Department of Revenue registration page.
Common Mistakes That Delay Certificates
- Ordering before fixing the annual report. You pay for a certificate the Division cannot issue.
- Using a shortened name. Many forms want the exact legal name. Check whether the form asks for 'Acme Holdings LLC' or just 'Acme Holdings' before you send anything.
- Letting the registered agent lapse. Every Florida LLC and corporation must designate a registered agent with a physical Florida street address. A P.O. box does not qualify, and the agent must accept the appointment. Keep this current, since it is a continuing requirement.
- Reusing an old certificate. Ask the requester how recent the certificate must be, then order a new one if the old one is outside that window.
When to Talk to a Professional
For an Active LLC that needs one certificate, the Sunbiz process is straightforward. Get help from a qualified professional if the entity has been dissolved and needs reinstatement, if you are registering in another state, or if you have questions about your tax filings. An attorney can advise on reinstatement and entity status, and a CPA can advise on tax and reporting questions. The Florida SBDC Network is also a resource for small business questions.
Quick Checklist
- Confirm your entity shows Active on Sunbiz.
- Confirm the 2026 annual report was filed, or file it now if it was missed.
- Confirm the exact legal name the requester needs.
- Order the certificate: $5 for an LLC, $8.75 for a corporation.
- Review the certificate before you send it.
- Keep your registered agent current.
Disclaimer: This article is informational only and is not legal or tax advice. Fees, deadlines, and procedures can change, so confirm current details with the Florida Department of State and the Florida Department of Revenue before you act.