Massachusetts Certificate Of Good Standing
How to Get a Massachusetts Certificate of Good Standing
You can order a certificate of good standing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by mail, in person, or online.
Corporations and nonprofits can order a certificate of good standing online ($15) and receive it via email. Other entities (including LLCs) can order a certificate of good standing online, but will have to wait for it to arrive in the mail.
Online processing for LLCs, LPs, LLPs, and PLLPs costs $31. Normal processing takes up to 5 days, plus additional time for mailing, and costs $12 for corporations, $25 for LLCs, LPs, LLPs, and PLLPs. Expedited service is available for $3 more for corporations, $6 more for LLCs, LPs, LLPs, and PLLPs, and is sent out the next business day.
You can order
Online:
Go to their website and fill in the online form provided. If you’re ordering for a corporation or nonprofit, check the box requesting it to be emailed, the certificate will be emailed to you the same day. LLCs can order the same way, but there will be no checkbox available to email a certificate and the state will send it in the mail. Otherwise, this type of order is considered expedited and the certificate will be sent out to you the next business day. For faster mailing, you can provide a Fed Ex or UPS account number. You will want to have your credit card handy.
By Mail:
Requests by mail will be expedited only if paying the additional fee. Faster mailing available by providing a Fed Ex or UPS account number. You will want to provide the business name, payment, return address information, specific request and a daytime phone number for any questions.
In Person:
Requested documents will be provided while you wait at no additional charge. You will want to have your payment handy.
How much does a Massachusetts Certificate of Good Standing cost?
| $15 online processing for corporations |
| $31 online processing (all LLC, LP, LLP, PLLP) |
| $12 for normal processing (all corporations) |
| $25 for normal processing (all LLC, LP, LLP, PLLP) |
| $15 for expedited processing (all corporations) |
| $31 for expedited processing (all LLC, LP, LLP, PLLP) |
Is expedited processing available?
Yes. If you order online, service is immediate. Otherwise, an expedited service fee is required, in addition to the regular fee. The expedited fee is $3 for corporations and $6 for LLCs, LPs, LLPs, and PLLPs.
Payment options?
Check, Money Order, Visa or MasterCard.
Make check or money order payable to: Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
How long does it take the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to issue a Certificate of Good Standing?
| Online processing: | Next business day, plus additional time for mailing |
| Expedited Counter Service: | While you wait (in person only) |
| Expedited processing: | Next business day, plus additional time for mailing |
| Normal processing (all corporations): |
3-5 business days, plus additional time for mailing |
| Normal processing (all LLC, LP, LLP, PLLP): | Up to 5 business days, plus additional time for mailing (During end of year filing periods: up to 7-10 days for processing) |
How will the Certificate of Good Standing come back after I order from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts?
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 not available.
What’s the difference between a Massachusetts Certificate of Good Standing and a Certificate of Legal Existence?
In most states, a Certificate of Good Standing and Certificate of Legal Existence are the same thing. However, in Massachusetts, they are different. A Massachusetts Certificate of Existence merely states the name of your business, the date it was formed, and that it has legal existence in Massachusetts. A Certificate of Good Standing states the same information as the Certificate of Legal Existence, plus the information the the business is up to date on annual report filings and is not in the process of being dissolved or withdrawn by the state. In most cases, to register a business in another jurisdiction, you will need a Certificate of Good Standing, not a Certificate of Legal Existence.
Order a Massachusetts Certificate of Good Standing or Existence Online:
Contact Info:
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Corporations Division
One Ashburton Place, 17th Floor
Boston, MA 02108-1512
(617)727-9640 phone
(617)742-4538 fax
Email: [email protected]