In Short: How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing in South Dakota
South Dakota issues a Certificate of Good Standing / Existence through the South Dakota Secretary of State, Business Services Division. You order it online only, through the Secretary of State’s business services portal: search your LLC or corporation, request the certificate and pay $20 by Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. The state does not publish a processing time. Your entity must be current on its annual report to qualify.
- Official name: Certificate of Good Standing / Existence
- Issued by: South Dakota Secretary of State, Business Services Division
- Fee: $20 for LLCs and corporations
- How to order: Online only, through the SOS certificate of existence page
- Turnaround: Not published by the state
- Free status check: The South Dakota business filing search
- What keeps you in good standing: Filing the annual report ($55 online) on time and keeping a registered agent
South Dakota names its good standing document the Certificate of Good Standing / Existence. The Secretary of State issues it online only, for $20, to LLCs and corporations that are current on their annual reports. This guide covers ordering, fees, the free status search, the annual report change coming in 2027 and the tax clearance step required for reinstatement. For other states, see our guide on how to get a certificate of good standing.
What a South Dakota Certificate of Good Standing Is
The South Dakota Certificate of Good Standing / Existence is the Secretary of State’s official confirmation that your entity is registered in South Dakota and is in good standing on the state’s records.
The certificate proves that the LLC or corporation exists, has not been administratively dissolved and has filed the annual reports the Secretary of State requires. A delinquent annual report is the most direct way to lose eligibility.
South Dakota businesses use the certificate for:
- Banks: opening a business account or updating account records.
- Other states: registering the South Dakota entity as a foreign entity.
- Lenders: approving loans and credit lines.
- Payment processors: approving or re-verifying merchant accounts.
- Buyers and investors: confirming the company’s status before a transaction.
- Licensing agencies: issuing or renewing licenses.
How to Order a Certificate of Good Standing / Existence in South Dakota
The order page states that you may only file electronically. There is no mail or in-person option. Follow these steps:
- Open the Secretary of State’s certificate of existence instructions page and start the request.
- Search for your entity by business name or business ID.
- Select your LLC or corporation and confirm the status shown.
- Request the Certificate of Good Standing / Existence.
- Pay the $20 fee by Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.
- Follow the delivery instructions on the confirmation screen and save the certificate.
Because South Dakota accepts certificate orders online only, you need a card from one of the four accepted networks.
South Dakota Certificate of Good Standing Fees and Processing Time
| Method | Fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Online, LLC | $20 | Not published by the state |
| Online, corporation | $20 | Not published by the state |
South Dakota charges the same $20 fee for every entity type. The full list of Secretary of State charges is on the South Dakota filing fees page.
How to Check South Dakota Good Standing Status for Free
The South Dakota business filing search is free. Search by business name or ID and open the record to see the entity’s current status.
Check the record before you pay. If an annual report is delinquent, file it first, then order the certificate. Our South Dakota business entity search guide explains how to read the results.
How a South Dakota LLC Stays in Good Standing
South Dakota LLCs and corporations file an annual report with the Secretary of State. The fees:
- Domestic LLC or corporation, online: $55
- Domestic LLC or corporation, paper: $70
- Delinquent reports: a late fee applies, listed on the Secretary of State’s annual report instructions page
The due date is set by SDCL 59-11-25. The rule changes on January 1, 2027: from that date, each entity chooses either its formation anniversary month or January 31 as its annual due date. Confirm your entity’s current due date with the Secretary of State before it passes.
Under SDCL 47-34A-809, the Secretary of State can begin administrative dissolution of an LLC once the annual report or fees are more than two months past due.
Every South Dakota entity also keeps a registered agent on file. Annual report reminders and legal papers go to that agent, so a lapsed agent leads straight to a missed report. Compare South Dakota with other states in our list of annual report filing requirements by state.
What to Do If Your South Dakota Business Is Not in Good Standing
A dissolved South Dakota LLC or corporation reinstates through the Secretary of State, but only after the Department of Revenue approves a tax clearance. The steps:
- Search the entity in the business filing search and confirm its status.
- Request a Tax Clearance Certificate from the South Dakota Department of Revenue using its tax clearance request form.
- Wait until the Secretary of State receives the approved Tax Clearance Certificate.
- File the reinstatement through the Secretary of State’s reinstatement page, with every delinquent annual report.
- Pay the reinstatement fee: $150 for an LLC or $300 for a business corporation, plus the delinquent report fees.
- Once the record shows good standing, order your certificate.
Our guide on how to reinstate an administratively dissolved LLC covers the process in more detail.
South Dakota Tax Good Standing vs Secretary of State Certificate
The Certificate of Good Standing / Existence from the Secretary of State covers your entity’s registration and annual reports. The Department of Revenue issues a separate Tax Clearance Certificate, which confirms your South Dakota tax accounts are clear.
The two documents connect at reinstatement: the Secretary of State does not reinstate a dissolved entity until it receives an approved Tax Clearance Certificate. Request one with the Department of Revenue’s tax clearance request form. For a bank account or a foreign registration, the Secretary of State certificate is the document to order.
Using a South Dakota Certificate in Another State
When your South Dakota LLC or corporation expands into another state, that state requires a recent South Dakota Certificate of Good Standing / Existence with the foreign registration application. Order it online right before you file. The second state then issues its own registration. Read our guide to certificate of good standing vs certificate of authority to see how they differ.
$0 formation fee plus the state filing fee. Registered agent free for the first year.
South Dakota Certificate of Good Standing FAQs
How much does a South Dakota Certificate of Good Standing cost?
The South Dakota Secretary of State charges $20 for a Certificate of Good Standing / Existence. The fee is the same for LLCs and corporations. You pay by Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.
Can I order a South Dakota Certificate of Good Standing by mail?
No. The Secretary of State’s order page states that you may only file electronically. Order the certificate online through the business services portal.
How much is the South Dakota annual report fee?
The annual report costs $55 online or $70 on paper for domestic LLCs and corporations. A late fee applies to delinquent reports. An LLC more than two months past due faces administrative dissolution.
When is the South Dakota annual report due?
The due date is set by SDCL 59-11-25. Starting January 1, 2027, each entity chooses either its formation anniversary month or January 31 as its annual due date. Confirm your current due date with the Secretary of State.
What does it cost to reinstate a South Dakota LLC?
Reinstatement costs $150 for an LLC and $300 for a business corporation, plus all delinquent annual reports. The Secretary of State must first receive an approved Tax Clearance Certificate from the Department of Revenue.
Fees verified against official South Dakota sources in October 2026. State fees change; confirm the current amount on the South Dakota Secretary of State site before you order.
