How To Apply For An Illinois Certificate Of Good Standing
A certificate of good standing is an official document that indicates your company’s financial standing and whether it’s in good standing with the state. If you want to open or close a business in Illinois, apply for a certificate of good standing (also called a “certificate of existence” or “COE”). You can apply online or by mail. This article will let you know everything you need to be aware of in order to apply for an Illinois certificate of good standing.
Confirm name and address.
First, you need to confirm the name and address of your business.
Verify that the address listed on your certificate of good standing is up-to-date with the city, state, and zip code. If it isn’t, update it before submitting your application for a new certificate.
Now, confirm that the information in this section matches that listed on your corporate charter or articles of incorporation, which you can find on either the Illinois Secretary of State’s website or through our office if you have an established account with us.
Confirm your certificate of good standing request is for the correct business entity.
The first step in applying for an Illinois certificate of good standing is confirming that you are requesting the correct certificate. The certificate of the good standing request form is only applicable to corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and limited partnerships. If you want to apply for a certificate of good standing for another type of business entity, such as a sole proprietorship or partnership, then you must use the appropriate form.
Confirm the registered agent information and registered office.
The registered agent (also known as the resident agent or resident representative) is an individual or business that is authorized to accept legal papers on behalf of the corporation. It can be your home address or any other business address you choose.
If you are applying for both a certificate of good standing and an annual report online, you will need to update these fields in both applications once they are submitted successfully:
- The registered agent’s address and phone number
- The registered office address (this is the same as above)
Confirm and verify the information on the certificate is correct before signing.
It’s important to verify and confirm the information on the certificate is correct before signing. The certificate of good standing is a legal document, so it’s important to understand why you’re receiving one.
It will be sent to the correct address and begin its 3-year lifespan on that date unless your business entity has been dissolved, in which case your certificate will be void.
Complete the certificate of good standing application form, either online or offline.
There are two ways to complete the certificate of good standing application form, either online or by filling out a paper version. The online form is preferable because it’s easier to fill out and is cheaper than mailing it in a paper version. However, if you must send a paper version in the mail, then be sure to check that all information on your application is accurate before submitting it.
You can also choose to have your certificate mailed to you if you’re already in Illinois or plan on traveling there soon. This will save time and money compared with getting one from an Illinois county clerk’s office (although there may still be fees associated with this method).
Conclusion
Being a good corporate citizen starts with being a good neighbor. By ensuring that your company’s Certificate of Good Standing is up to date and readily available, you are demonstrating respect for your community.
