Texas Certificate Of Good Standing
How to Get a Texas Certificate of Status or Existence
What most states call a Certificate of Good Standing, in the State of Texas, is called a Certificate of Fact but states the Status and/or Existence of the business. You can order by fax, mail, email, phone, in person, or online, but we recommend online. Online processing costs $15 and is processed within 1-2 hours. Normal processing takes up to 2 days, plus additional time for mailing, and costs $15. Expedited service is available for $10 more and should take less than 1 day, plus additional time for mailing.
A Certificate of Fact in the State of Texas can show different information, depending on your specific request. For example, if you need information on your business status or existence, you need to specifically request as such. They also offer a Certificate of Fact showing merger, name change or registered agent information. You will need to be specific with your request to be sure to receive the information that you need. Feel free to call them if you need additional clarification.
Note: A Certificate of Good Standing is different in the State of Texas than a Certificate of Existence and can be requested online through the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. A Certificate of Good Standing gets confused often in Texas. What is confusing, is if you are from Texas, people ask you for a Certificate of Good Standing showing you have paid your taxes. If you were to register as a foreign LLC in Florida, Florida would need a Certificate of Good Standing. But that certificate is actually called a Certificate of Existence in Texas. Just a little different lingo.
You can order
Online:
Go to their website and follow the instructions provided to sign up, search and print a certificate. You will be able to authenticate, view and print the certificate yourself right away. You will want to have your credit card handy. Your request will be processed and emailed to you usually within 1-2 hours in pdf format.
By Mail:
Requests by mail will be expedited only if paying the additional fee and specifically requesting it. You will want to provide the business name, payment, return address information, specific request and a daytime phone number for any questions.
By Fax:
You will want to provide the business name, specific request and a daytime phone number for any questions on a normal fax cover sheet. You can request they fax the certificate back to you, however, there is an additional charge of $10 for expedited service plus $2 per page for return fax service. They will bill you for the required fees.
By Email:
You will want to provide the business name, specific request and a daytime phone number for any questions in your email. You can request they fax the certificate back to you, however, there is an additional charge of $10 for expedited service plus $2 per page for return fax service. They will bill you for the required fees.
By Phone:
Called in requests are accepted and they can give you a specific timeframe for processing. You will want to have the business name and credit card handy when making your call.
In Person:
An additional $10 fee is required for counter service and is considered expedited processing. Requested documents can usually be provided within 2-3 hours. You will want to have your payment handy.
How much does a Texas Certificate of Status or Existence cost?
The fees for a Texas Corporation are as follows:
$15 online processing.
$15 for normal processing.
$25 for expedited and counter service processing.
$25 for normal processing (long form only).
$2 per page for return fax service.
Is expedited processing available?
Yes. An expedited service fee of $10 is required, in addition to the regular $15 fee.
Payment options?
Check, Money Order, Visa, MasterCard or Discover (additional credit card fees may apply).
Make check or money order payable to: Texas Secretary of State.
How long does it take the Texas Secretary of State to issue a Certificate of Status or Existence?
Online processing: 1-2 business hours.
Normal processing: 1-2 business days, plus additional time for mailing.
Expedited processing: same business day, plus additional time for mailing.
Expedited Counter Service: within 2-3 hours (in person only).
How will the Certificate of Status or Existence come back after I order from the Texas 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. There is an additional charge of $2 per page for return fax service. Return service by email is not available.
Order an Texas Certificate of Good Standing or Existence Online:
Contact Info:
Texas Secretary of State
Corporations Section
PO Box 13697
Austin, TX 78711
or
1019 Brazos, B-13 (Room 105)
Austin, TX 78701
(512)463-5578 phone
(512)463-2512 fax
Email: [email protected]