Pennsylvania has its own word for good standing proof. The Department of State issues a subsistence certificate for a domestic entity, and a Certificate of Registration for a foreign entity registered in the state. Each one states the registered name and whether the entity still exists on the department's records.
This page explains how to get one and what can stand in the way. The Pennsylvania office guide covers search, fees and contacts.
Pennsylvania certificate fee and ordering
The fee is $40 online for either certificate. Orders go through Business Filing Services, the department's online portal.
| What the state calls it | Subsistence certificate (domestic) / Certificate of Registration (foreign) (pa.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| Fee | $40 online (subsistence or registration certificate); record search listing $15 (pa.gov, checked ) |
| Where to order | file.dos.pa.gov (pa.gov, checked ) |
- Search the company in Business Filing Services by exact name or entity number.
- Check the status on the record.
- Choose the subsistence certificate for a Pennsylvania entity, or the Certificate of Registration for a foreign one.
- Pay the $40 fee and keep the certificate.
Do not mix this up with the $15 record search listing. That product lists records. It is not a certificate of subsistence.
What good standing means in Pennsylvania
The department defines good standing by what has not happened. An entity is in good standing when it has not been dissolved, canceled, merged, withdrawn, name changed or expired. In other words, the certificate is mainly about existence.
Every status word Pennsylvania uses is explained in our Pennsylvania office guide.
Active means the entity must file annual reports. Inactive means it has ended in some way, for example dissolved, terminated, merged out or withdrawn, and no reports are due. Administratively Dissolved means a domestic entity may only wind up or apply for reinstatement, and it is not currently subsisting.
The annual report and the 2027 change
Pennsylvania now requires an annual report from most entities, at $7 for business corporations and LLCs and free for nonprofits. Corporations file from January 1 to June 30 and LLCs from January 1 to September 30. Reports filed online are processed right away.
No penalty applies for a missed report before 2027. From then on, a domestic entity that does not file can be administratively dissolved six months after its deadline, and a foreign entity administratively terminated. It also loses protection of its name. That is the point where a missed report starts to block a subsistence certificate.
If your record is not subsisting
A company that has been dissolved, canceled or terminated cannot get a clean certificate. An administratively dissolved company can apply for reinstatement. The fee for that was not in our sources, so check Business Filing Services before you file.
Who asks for Pennsylvania proof
Banks, lenders and buyers often ask for a recent subsistence certificate. Other states may want one when a Pennsylvania company registers with them. Pennsylvania itself does not ask foreign companies for a home state certificate when they register here.
Sources
- www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/dos/programs/business/guides/Business-Guide.pdf: good standing certificate, certificate fee, certificate ordering. Checked .