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Washington, DC Certificate of Good Standing for a Domestic LLC or Corporation
In Washington, DC, a Certificate of Good Standing for a domestic LLC, corporation, or other entity provides evidence of that entity’s legal existence. This document provides the following information:
- Entity name
- Duration term
- All fees and penalties owed to the District for entity filings have been paid and are reflected in the records
- The most recent biennial report has been filed
- The entity has not been dissolved and a dissolution proceeding is not pending
Washington, DC Certificate of Good Standing for a Foreign LLC or Corporation
A Washington, DC Certificate of Good Standing for a foreign LLC, corporation, or other entity provides evidence that the entity is registered to do business in the District. This document includes the following information:
- Entity name used in the District
- All fees and penalties owed to the District for entity filings have been paid and are reflected in the District records
- The most recent biennial report has been filed
- The entity’s registration has not been terminated
Washington DC Certificate of Good Standing FAQs
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What is a Washington DC Certificate of Good Standing?
A DC Certificate of Good Standing is an official document that can be obtained through the District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP). This certificate certifies that a business entity is in compliance with the District’s “good standing” requirements, such as filing a biennial report and paying required fees to the entity filing office.
In other states, this document may be called a “certificate of existence” or “certificate of status” and be issued by the Secretary of State’s office.
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Why is “good standing” important for your business?
Being in “good standing” allows a corporation, LLC, or other entity to maintain the rights and privileges of doing business in a state or jurisdiction. A business may need to provide a Certificate of Good Standing (or the equivalent) when expanding to other states. A good standing certificate can also be required for financing, business transactions, and business licensing.
The loss of good standing can lead to fines, the inability to file a lawsuit, not being able to expand to other states, and even the administrative dissolution of a business.
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When do I need a Certificate of Good Standing for my Washington DC LLC or corporation?
A Certificate of Good Standing is frequently required when expanding to other states. For example, a DC corporation wishing to expand to Maryland would need to have a DC Certificate of Good Standing (as well as obtain a Maryland registered/resident agent) when registering as a non-Maryland (foreign) entity in that state.
Lenders, investors, and vendors can request a good standing certificate before doing business with a company. The document may also be required for licensure or for certain business transactions, such as a merger or acquisition.
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How do I obtain a Certificate of Good Standing for my Washington DC LLC or corporation?You can order a Washington, DC Certificate of Good Standing online today from CT Corporation or contact us for additional information.
*State fees are mandatory fees imposed by the state. Price includes online discount automatically applied at checkout. Discount is for new customers only.