You’ve owned a Missouri business for a while now, and things have been going smoothly. But now, you’re thinking of making big moves, and with those come additional administrative work.
This is why it’s best to learn about what potential issues may come up before you get started. That way, you’ll know what’s expected of you and you’ll be ready.
One paper that may be asked of you is a certificate of good standing in Missouri. Read on to find out what this certificate is, as well as when, why, and how you can get one.
What’s a Certificate of Good Standing?
In this case, the certificate of good standing is a document issued by the Missouri Secretary of State. It’s also known as a certificate of existence or status certificate.
This certificate is basically the Secretary of State vouching that your business is legally registered and authorized to do business in Missouri. This proves that you’ve met all statutory requirements and are in compliance with state laws. So this means that you’ve filed all annual reports and paid all necessary state taxes and fees, for example.
As you can see, it’s an excellent document to have since it shows that you’re a trustworthy company. But in what situations will you need a certificate of good standing?
Banking
If you haven’t opened a business banking account yet, or you’re planning on getting another one, then it’s likely that the financial institution will ask you for this paper. Since it shows that you’re a responsible business owner, they’ll have peace of mind knowing that you won’t make irresponsible financial decisions.
Licensing
There’s not much incentive to comply with state laws and regulations if you can acquire and renew licenses and permits without being proactive. This is why many local and state governments will require you to produce a certificate of good standing before they approve any licenses or permits for your company.
Business Transactions
As you may already know, those who you do business with can make or break your experience. So it’s reasonable that when you enter into contracts or partnerships, the other parties will want to do their due diligence. If you have a certificate of good standing, then this can make them feel more confident about working with you.
Foreign Qualification
If you want to register and operate your company in another state, then this is considered foreign qualification. To make sure that you’re not bringing any unscrupulous business or running from compliance issues in Missouri, the state will want a certificate of good standing to prove that you’ve got all your ducks in a row.
How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Missouri
Have you read the above and realized that you’ll need a State of Missouri certificate of good standing in the near future? Then you’ll want to learn about the process now rather than later.
One of the first things you should do is double-check that your business is actually in good standing. This should be easy to find out, especially if you’ve been diligent and kept up with your annual filings, taxes, and fees.
If you haven’t even started your company yet, then use our free business registration service. All you’ll have to pay is the state fees, as well as any additional services you may wish to use. We’ll take care of all the paperwork so you don’t have to stress out.
Once your company’s up and running, you can then apply for this document by taking the following steps.
Get Your Missouri Certificate of Good Standing Online
As we’ve mentioned above, the Secretary of State handles these certificates, so you’ll go to their business services page. Under “General services & filings” and “Topics,” click on “Order certificate of good standing.” This will put you on the relevant page section, and you can click on “order online.”
The next page is the business registration online portal. Use the “Business search” function to find your company (you can try by name, charter number, or registered agent). You’ll find your business on the results page; you’ll be able to click on it and if it’s indeed in good standing, you can order a certificate of good standing.
You’ll have to pay $10 and it’ll take up to five days to process. Unfortunately, there’s no expedited service, so make sure to order your document with plenty of time to spare.
Get Your Missouri Certificate of Good Standing by Other Methods
If you’d like an alternative to ordering your certificate online, then we have good news. You can contact the Secretary of State directly to place your order.
Here’s the mailing address:
Corporations Unit
James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center
P.O. Box 778
Jefferson City, MO 65102
You can also call (573) 751-4153. If you need a toll-free number, it’s 1-866-223-6535. In addition, you can reach out to [email protected].
Do you want to visit the office in person? Then their business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (except for legal holidays), and you’ll have to go to the main office in Jefferson City.
If you’d like to get your certificate fast, then going in person is the best option. This is because they’ll process and file your paperwork while you wait. Otherwise, if you mail your application, it’ll be processed in the order received.
Does a MI Certificate of Good Standing Expire?
A MI certificate of good standing doesn’t technically expire, as long as your business stays in good standing and its information doesn’t change. However, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who accepts older documents.
The purpose of having a certificate of good standing is to get reassurance that a recent check has been done regarding a company’s compliance. For this reason, most requestors will want certificates issued no more than 60-90 days ago. Of course, you should communicate with your requestors to ensure your paper’s acceptable.
Request a Certificate of Good Standing in Missouri
The good news is that a certificate of good standing in Missouri isn’t required for you to start a business. However, if you’re ambitious, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll be asked for one later on.
So if you know what to do now, you can handle future requests with ease. You may even impress potential stakeholders when you show them you’re knowledgeable and prepared.
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