When incorporating a company out of the state of Delaware, there are several very important documents that are required in order to conduct business in that state. This article discusses one of those documents, which is a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing Apostille. We will also discuss how to go about getting this document, and the importance of a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing Apostille.
One of the most frequently requested business documents from the state of Delaware is a Certificate of Good Standing. A Delaware Certificate of Good Standing when requested is provided by the Delaware Secretary of State office. This very important certified business document shows that your corporation or LLC has met the statutory requirements to conduct business in the state of Delaware. These statutory requirements include the filing of the necessary company reports and payment of any applicable state fees.
Although commonly known as a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing, this document is also called a Certificate of Compliance, Certificate of Status, Certificate of Fact, or a Certificate of Existence. Like most state-issued certified documents, obtaining a Certificate of Good Standing can take some time. The normal processing time for obtaining this document varies; however, it can take up to three weeks plus the additional time required for mailing. The Delaware Certificate of Good Standing can be ordered by mail, fax, or in person, but if time is of the essence, ordering by fax is recommended. Please keep this in mind when ordering your document.
Once a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing is processed and received, it’s the company’s responsibility to maintain that good standing. There are several reasons a company can lose its good standing. The first is failing to pay the company’s registration renewal fee. The second is failing to pay various types of state business taxes or fees. And finally, mistakes made in a filed form or simply not completing it. Although these are not the only reasons companies can lose their good standing, they’re the most common.
Losing a Certificate of Good Standing, or not being able to obtain one can have very adverse effects on a business. These adverse effects include the inability to open financial accounts for the business, obtain merchant accounts for credit card and debit card processing, and register to conduct business in other states. As you can see, getting and maintaining a company’s Certificate of Good Standing is very important. This is why many companies obtain the professional services of American Apostille & Notary Services when it comes to preparing their Delaware Certificate of Good Standing Apostille.
A Certificate of Good Standing Apostille is a one-page document issued under the Great Seal of the State of Delaware by the Delaware Secretary of State. The one-page document or Apostille is attached to a certified copy of the Certificate of Good Standing. The Certificate of Good Standing Apostille will provide proof of incorporation when conducting business in foreign countries.
An Apostille certifies that your company’s Certificate of Good Standing when presented is an exact copy of the original; however, it does not certify that the contents of the original document are correct. Contacting the appropriate state department and submitting the required documents correctly can be a long and tedious process. This is where the services provided by American Apostille & Notary Services can prove to be very beneficial. We do all the hard work involved with obtaining your company’s Delaware Certificate of Good Standing Apostille so you can place more focus on your business operations. Contact us at 848-467-7740 to discuss your business needs and how we can help you accomplish them.