A Louisiana Certificate of Good Standing is issued by the Secretary of State to a corporation or LLC that is current with its state filings, and you can request one online, by mail, or in person for a $20 fee.1Louisiana Secretary of State. Order Documents and Certificates Lenders, agencies, and out-of-state registrars commonly ask for one to confirm your business legally exists and is authorized to operate.
Who Can Get One
The certificate is available specifically for corporations and limited liability companies registered with the Commercial Division of the Secretary of State. Partnerships and certain other entities receive different documents, such as a Certificate of Registry or a Certificate of Existence, rather than a Certificate of Good Standing.1Louisiana Secretary of State. Order Documents and Certificates
To qualify, your business must be active and not dissolved or terminated on the state’s records.2Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Revised Statutes § 12:1-128 The single most important obligation is the annual report. For domestic corporations, it is due each year on or before the anniversary of the date of incorporation, and missing it can eventually lead to administrative termination.
How to Order the Certificate
Once you’ve confirmed your filings are current, you have three ways to request the certificate. Ordering through the Secretary of State’s Commercial Database online is generally the fastest option. You can also mail a request to the Secretary of State’s office in Baton Rouge, or walk in and handle it at the counter.1Louisiana Secretary of State. Order Documents and Certificates
The fee is $20 regardless of how you submit the request. Mailed requests must include a check or money order made payable to the Secretary of State. Online orders take electronic payment, and in-person requests generally offer more flexibility. Sending the wrong amount will delay or reject the order.1Louisiana Secretary of State. Order Documents and Certificates
How Recent the Certificate Needs to Be
The certificate reflects your status on the day it is issued. Because that status can change, many banks and government agencies will only accept a certificate issued within the last 30 to 90 days. If you need a fresh one, you’ll want to confirm your annual reports are filed and your registered agent is still on record before ordering.
Why a Request May Be Denied
The Secretary of State will not issue the certificate if the records show the entity is out of compliance or no longer exists. Common reasons include:2Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Revised Statutes § 12:1-128
- Failure to file required annual reports for consecutive years.
- Failure to maintain a registered office or a registered agent for service of process.
- The business has been voluntarily or involuntarily dissolved.
- The entity has been administratively terminated by the Secretary of State.
Reinstatement if You’ve Been Terminated
If your business was administratively terminated for missed filings, you cannot receive a Certificate of Good Standing until you go through reinstatement. That means filing articles of reinstatement and any overdue annual reports. The state charges $75 for corporations and $100 for LLCs, in addition to the fees for the missed annual reports.3Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Revised Statutes § 49:2224Louisiana State Legislature. Louisiana Revised Statutes § 12:1-1422
Once reinstatement is processed, you can order the certificate the same way as any other business in good standing.1Louisiana Secretary of State. Order Documents and Certificates