Guide

Illinois certificate of good standing: what it is and when you need it

Banks, lenders and other states sometimes ask an LLC to prove it is in good standing. Here is what that means and how owners usually get it.

What it is

A certificate of good standing is an official document from the Illinois Secretary of State. It says your LLC was in compliance with that office as of the date it was issued. It is not a review of your finances, and it does not prove you have paid every tax or hold every license.

When someone may ask for one

• Opening a business bank account. Some banks ask for it along with your Articles of Organization and EIN letter. Not all do. See opening a business bank account.
• Applying for a loan or line of credit.
• Applying for or renewing a license or permit, especially in regulated businesses. Ask the licensing office whether it wants one.
• Registering your LLC to do business in another state. That state commonly wants a recent certificate from Illinois, and may set its own limit on how old it can be.
• Selling, merging or restructuring the business.

The party asking sets the rules. Ask them how recent the certificate must be, because Illinois does not set a general expiration date, but many requesters want one issued within 30 to 90 days.

What it takes to qualify

Your LLC must be active on the Secretary of State’s records. In practice, that means annual reports filed and fees paid. If you are behind, the certificate may not be available until you catch up. See the annual report and reinstatement guide for due dates and what happens when an LLC goes delinquent.

How owners usually get it

1. Go to the Illinois Secretary of State’s Business Services website and search for your LLC by name or file number.
2. Open the entity record and check that the status shows active.
3. Choose the option to purchase a certificate of good standing and pay the fee.
4. Download or print the certificate right away. Online orders are reported to be quick, often within minutes.

The Secretary of State also accepts orders by mail and in person, with slower processing and an extra charge for faster handling. Anyone can order one for any active LLC, not only the owner.

What it costs

The fee is commonly reported as about $25 for an LLC, with extra charges for expedited service or paying by card. Published fee tables vary, so check the amount on the Secretary of State’s site before you pay. This is a state fee paid directly to the state.

Related names

You may see it called a certificate of existence or a letter of good standing. Some entity types receive a “certificate of existence” instead. If someone asks for a different document, ask them exactly what they need.

I am not a CPA or an attorney

This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Fees, forms and processing times change, so confirm with the Illinois Secretary of State and with whoever is asking for the certificate. Flipfiled helps with filing paperwork from information you provide; you decide what your business needs.

Sources: LegalZoom, Illinois certificate of good standing; Northwest Registered Agent, Illinois certificate of good standing; Illinois Secretary of State, Business Services. Checked Oct 27, 2026.