Order Certified Copies of Business Documents

A certified copy is a copy of an original document issued by the same authority as the original document. In other words, if you filed your articles with your state’s Secretary of State, this office (or another agency the office authorizes) would issue any certified copies.

Because they are issued by authorities, certified copies are commonly accepted in lieu of originals for many different filings and submissions. While original documents can be used in most situations, this is not always practical. There’s a risk for damage or loss when submitting original documents, particularly via mail. Original documents may not always be easily accessible either, making certified copies a convenient alternative.

Looking for the issuing agency in your state? Click the name of your state in the table near the bottom of this page. Or, hire us to get your certified copy for you for $50 plus state fees. Place your order from inside your free client account.

There are many different reasons why you might need a certified copy of your business documents. For instance, if you need an apostille (an authentication for documents submitted in certain other countries), you’ll need either the original or a certified copy of your document. Also, if you are registering to expand business operations into a different state, you may need a certified copy of your articles to complete the foreign qualification. Common business documents that may need to be certified include Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Organization, amendments and annual reports.

Sometimes there is confusion about certified copies and other notarized copies. A certified copy is issued by an agency of authority, like a Secretary of State office. A notarized copy is simply a photocopy of an original document that has been verified by a notary public or similar person. Uncertified, notarized copies are not typically accepted for business filings or authentication requests such as apostilles.

If you need a notarized copy, however, you can often find notary services at banks or private companies that offer common business services such as copying and mailing. Notary requirements vary state to state, but notaries generally compare the original document and the photocopy to verify the copy is true and then add appropriate stamps, seals and signatures.

To get a business document, you’ll need to submit a request and pay a filing fee (which may include a per page fee). Processing times vary widely, and some states have multiple submission and expediting options.

Below, you’ll find the filing fees and processing times for requesting certified copies of business documents from the appropriate agency in every state. Click on the state name to see step-by-step instructions and options for ordering certified copies.

Need more resources or services?

We can do more than order certified copies on behalf of your business. We offer LLC and corporation formation and registered agent services in every state, as well as a wide variety of other services, from annual report filings to free business forms.

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