New York's proof of good standing is a Certificate of Status from the Department of State. The same paper also goes by certificate of good standing or certificate of existence. It proves the company is on the state's books and flags a biennial statement that is overdue.
This page covers ordering it and keeping it clean. For search, fees and contacts, see the New York office guide.
Ordering a Certificate of Status in New York
The fee is $25, and an optional expedite fee can be added on top. New York is unusual here: the Department of State does not take orders for this certificate online or by phone. You order it in writing.
| What the state calls it | Certificate of Status (also called Certificate of Good Standing or Certificate of Existence) (dos.ny.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| Fee | $25 (dos.ny.gov, checked ) |
| Where to order | dos.ny.gov/certificate-status (dos.ny.gov, checked ) |
- Find the entity in the Corporation and Business Entity Database and note its exact name and DOS ID.
- Check that the record does not show the biennial statement as past due.
- Write a request with the entity name, DOS ID and your return details, and include the $25 fee.
- Mail it, or bring it to the Division of Corporations at One Commerce Plaza, 99 Washington Avenue, Albany.
Active is not the whole story
New York status words are few. The Active label stays on a domestic company right up to dissolution, so it can read Active and still be behind. The flag that matters for a certificate is Past Due on the biennial statement.
Every status word New York uses is explained in our New York office guide.
The biennial statement and your certificate
Corporations and LLCs report to the Department of State only every second year, in the month their original papers went in. The statement costs $9 and the system will not take it early. There is no late fee. The cost of missing it is the past due mark, which appears on the record and is printed on the certificate itself.
So if a statement is overdue, file it first, then send your certificate request. A bank reading a certificate that says past due may ask questions you would rather avoid.
Yearly franchise tax reports for corporations go to the tax department, a different agency, so the certificate says nothing about them.
Who asks for New York proof
Banks opening an account, lenders, buyers in a sale and other states where the company plans to register often ask for a recent Certificate of Status. Since New York orders go by mail or in person, start early when you have a closing date. For other states' names and fees, see our certificate of good standing guide.
Sources
- dos.ny.gov/certificate-status: good standing certificate, certificate ordering. Checked .
- dos.ny.gov/fee-schedules: certificate fee. Checked .