In Wisconsin the paper people mean by good standing is the Certificate of Status. The Department of Financial Institutions, the DFI, issues it, since Wisconsin has no Secretary of State business registry. The DFI says it is referred to in some states as a certificate of good standing.
This page covers that certificate only. Searching, formation and contacts are in the Wisconsin office guide.
What does a Wisconsin Certificate of Status cost?
The standard certificate is $10, and so is the long form. A certified copy of a single document is $10 too. Getting a document expedited is $25 per document.
| What the state calls it | Certificate of Status (dfi.wi.gov, checked ) |
|---|---|
| Fee | $10 (dfi.wi.gov, checked ) |
| Where to order | apps.dfi.wi.gov/apps/ccs (dfi.wi.gov, checked ) |
Orders go in through the DFI's online certificate request. You can also order certified or simple copies by mail with Form 48 or Form 50. The online form gives the full instructions.
Short form or long form?
The short certificate states the entity's name, the date it was incorporated, organized or qualified, its status, and whether it is domestic or foreign. For most banks and agencies, that is enough.
The long form carries the same information and then adds more from the record. Examples are previous names, a list of charter documents on file, and the name and address of the registered agent and office in Wisconsin. Ask for it when the other side wants the company's history.
Check the DFI record before you order
Look the company up in the CRIS search first. The record shows a status code. A company current with its reports shows as in good standing, and anything else tells you what to fix.
Every status word Wisconsin uses is explained in our Wisconsin office guide.
Delinquent is the common one. It means the annual report was not filed. If the status is Administratively Dissolved, the certificate will not show good standing until the company is restored.
How do you fix a Delinquent status?
File a current annual report and pay the back annual report fees. The online annual report fee is $25 and paper is $40. The DFI notes that there are no late fees or penalties in the dissolution process, so the back fees are the cost.
The DFI contacts delinquent entities each quarter. After several years without reports, it can publish a notice and dissolve the entity. Do not wait for that. Our guide to annual reports explains the steps.
When do people ask for it?
Banks, buyers, landlords and licensing offices often want a recent certificate. Another state may ask for one before it registers your Wisconsin company to work there. If a foreign party asks, order the version made for use abroad, which is $10, and see our apostille guide.
If you want help, you can ask our private filing service. State fees are separate, and you can order from the DFI yourself.
Sources
- dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/CertificatesAndCertCopyFees.aspx: good standing certificate, certificate fee, certificate ordering. Checked .