A Florida Certificate of Status is an official document from the state confirming your business is active and in compliance with Florida requirements. Banks, lenders, and business partners often require this certificate before working with your company. Here’s everything you need to know about obtaining one.
What Is a Certificate of Status?
A Certificate of Status is an official document issued by the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) certifying that your business entity:
- Exists as a legal entity in Florida
- Is currently active (not dissolved or administratively revoked)
- Has filed all required annual reports
- Is authorized to conduct business in the state
The certificate represents your company’s standing with the state at the time of issuance. It’s sometimes called a Certificate of Good Standing, though Florida officially uses “Certificate of Status.”
What Information Does It Include?
A Florida Certificate of Status contains:
| Information | Description |
|---|---|
| Entity name | Your registered business name |
| Document number | Florida registration number |
| FEI/EIN number | Federal tax ID (if on file) |
| Date filed | When your entity was formed/registered |
| Status | Active, inactive, or other status |
| Certification date | Date the certificate was issued |
| Authentication | State seal and signature |
The certificate does not include information about owners, registered agents, or detailed company history.
Who Needs a Certificate of Status?
Common Situations Requiring a Certificate
Banking and finance:
- Opening business bank accounts
- Applying for business loans
- Establishing lines of credit
- Setting up merchant services
Business transactions:
- Signing commercial leases
- Entering contracts with large companies
- Bidding on government contracts
- Mergers and acquisitions
Professional requirements:
- Obtaining professional licenses
- Renewing business permits
- Registering in other states (foreign qualification)
- Working with certain vendors
Legal matters:
- Real estate transactions
- Court filings requiring proof of existence
- Business litigation
Who Typically Requests It
- Banks and lenders
- Commercial landlords
- Government agencies
- Insurance companies
- Business partners
- Attorneys and title companies
Types of Florida Certificates
The Florida Division of Corporations offers several certificate types:
Certificate of Status
The standard certificate confirming your entity’s current status. This is what most requesters need.
Cost: $8.75 (electronic) or $10.00 (paper)
Certified Copy of Document
A certified copy of a specific document on file (Articles of Organization, amendments, etc.).
Cost: $30.00 plus $8.75 certification fee
Certificate of No Record
Confirms that a specific entity name is not registered in Florida.
Cost: $8.75
Short Form Certificate
A condensed version of the status certificate with basic information.
Cost: $8.75
How to Get a Florida Certificate of Status
Method 1: Online (Fastest)
The quickest way to obtain a certificate is through the Sunbiz website.
Website: sunbiz.org
Steps:
- Go to Sunbiz.org
- Navigate to the Florida Division of Corporations website
- Search for your entity
- Click “Search Records”
- Enter your business name or document number
- Select your entity from results
- Request certificate
- Click “Order Certificate of Status”
- Select electronic or paper delivery
- Pay the fee
- Electronic: $8.75
- Paper (mailed): $10.00
- Pay by credit card
- Receive your certificate
- Electronic: Immediate download
- Paper: 5-7 business days by mail
Method 2: By Mail
Mail a written request to:
Florida Division of Corporations Certification Section P.O. Box 6327 Tallahassee, FL 32314
Include:
- Entity name and document number
- Type of certificate requested
- Check or money order for fee
- Return address
Processing time: 7-10 business days plus mailing time
Method 3: In Person
Visit the Division of Corporations office in Tallahassee:
Clifton Building 2661 Executive Center Circle Tallahassee, FL 32301
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM
Processing: Same day for standard requests
Certificate of Status Costs
| Certificate Type | Electronic | Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Status | $8.75 | $10.00 |
| Short Form Certificate | $8.75 | $10.00 |
| Certified Copy | $30.00 + $8.75 | $30.00 + $8.75 |
| Certificate of No Record | $8.75 | $10.00 |
Additional fees may apply for expedited processing or multiple copies.
What If Your Business Isn’t in Good Standing?
If your entity status shows something other than “Active,” you cannot obtain a Certificate of Status until you resolve the issue.
Common Status Problems
Administrative Dissolution/Revocation:
- Cause: Missed annual report filings
- Solution: File delinquent annual reports and pay reinstatement fee
Inactive:
- Cause: Voluntary dissolution or withdrawal
- Solution: Reinstate or form a new entity
Pending:
- Cause: Recent filing not yet processed
- Solution: Wait for processing to complete
How to Reinstate Your Business
If your Florida entity was administratively dissolved:
- File all delinquent annual reports
- Each missed year requires a separate filing
- Pay $138.75 per report (LLC) or $150 per report (corporation)
- File reinstatement application
- Submit through Sunbiz
- Pay $100 reinstatement fee (LLC) or $150 (corporation)
- Wait for processing
- Typically 3-5 business days
- Verify active status
- Check Sunbiz to confirm “Active” status
- Order Certificate of Status
- Now available once status is active
How Long Is a Certificate Valid?
A Certificate of Status is valid as of its issuance date. It confirms status at that specific moment—not ongoing status.
Typical acceptance periods:
| Requester | Typical Validity Accepted |
|---|---|
| Banks | 30-90 days |
| Landlords | 30-60 days |
| Government contracts | 30 days |
| Attorneys | 30 days |
| Other states | 90 days |
Best practice: Obtain your certificate close to when you need it. A certificate from six months ago may not be accepted.
Expedited Certificates
Need a certificate urgently? Florida offers expedited processing:
Same-Day Processing
- Available for online orders placed before 2 PM Eastern
- Electronic certificates only
- No additional fee for same-day electronic
Priority Mail
- Paper certificates can be sent via priority mail
- Additional postage fees apply
- Request when ordering
Certificate of Status for Foreign Entities
If your business is formed in another state but registered in Florida, you can obtain a Florida Certificate of Status confirming your Florida registration.
This shows:
- Your business is registered to do business in Florida
- Your Florida registration is active
- You’ve filed required Florida annual reports
Note: This is different from a certificate from your home state, which would show your original formation status.
Using Your Certificate
Electronic Certificates
Electronic certificates are PDF documents with:
- Digital authentication
- Verification codes
- State seal embedded
Most requesters accept electronic certificates. Email or upload as needed.
Paper Certificates
Paper certificates include:
- Physical state seal
- Original signature
- Certificate on official paper
Some requesters (certain courts, international uses) may require paper originals.
Apostille Certificates
For international use, you may need an apostille—an additional certification for use in foreign countries. Contact the Florida Secretary of State for apostille services.
Get Your Certificate of Status
Critical Compliance Services helps Florida businesses obtain Certificates of Status quickly. We also help businesses that need to reinstate before a certificate can be issued.
Our services include:
- Certificate of Status orders
- Reinstatement assistance
- Annual report filing
- Ongoing compliance monitoring
Order Your Certificate of Status
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a Certificate of Status?
Electronic certificates are available immediately after ordering online. Paper certificates take 5-7 business days by mail.
What’s the difference between Certificate of Status and Certificate of Good Standing?
They’re the same thing. Florida officially uses “Certificate of Status,” but many people call it a Certificate of Good Standing.
Can I get a Certificate of Status if my annual report is late?
No. You must file all delinquent annual reports first. Your status will show as active only after compliance is restored.
How much does a Florida Certificate of Status cost?
Electronic certificates cost $8.75. Paper certificates cost $10.00.
Do I need a new certificate for each request?
Yes, if the requests are spread over time. Certificates confirm status at issuance, so requesters typically want recent certificates.