A Florida Certificate of Status costs $8.75 for the standard version or $24.25 for a certified one, and you can download it from Sunbiz right after you pay. It’s the state’s official confirmation that your LLC or corporation is in good standing, and banks, lenders and other states often ask for it before they’ll do business with you. If your annual reports are current, the whole thing takes a few minutes.
What is a Florida Certificate of Status?
It’s an official document from the Florida Division of Corporations confirming that your business is registered with the state, has filed its required annual reports, has paid all fees due and is authorized to do business in Florida. You’ll also hear it called a Certificate of Good Standing or a Certificate of Existence. In Florida, those all mean the same document.
It’s a snapshot. The certificate shows your status on the day it’s issued, not a permanent record.
How much does a certificate of status cost in Florida?
The price is the same for every entity type.
| Entity Type | Standard | Certified |
|---|---|---|
| Florida LLC | $8.75 | $24.25 |
| Florida Corporation | $8.75 | $24.25 |
| Foreign LLC or Corporation | $8.75 | $24.25 |
| Limited Partnership (LP) | $8.75 | $24.25 |
| Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | $8.75 | $24.25 |
| Nonprofit Corporation | $8.75 | $24.25 |
The standard certificate is a PDF with no seal. The certified one carries the Division of Corporations’ official seal and is meant for legal and official use. These prices are set by Florida statute and rarely change.
Do you need the standard or the certified version?
The standard certificate is usually enough for internal records, informal verification, vendor applications and most bank account openings. It may not be accepted for legal proceedings, and some institutions insist on the certified version.
Pay for certified when the requesting party specifically asks for a “certified” or “official” copy, when you’re using it for a legal or regulatory purpose, or when you’re registering your company as a foreign entity in another state. Court proceedings, government contracts, loan applications that need official documentation, real estate transactions and international business verification usually fall in this group.
Our advice: ask before you pay. If the bank or title company says standard is fine, you’ve saved $15.50. If they want certified and you bring standard, you’ll be ordering a second one anyway.
How do you get a certificate of status from Sunbiz?
Online is the fastest way, and the certificate is available as soon as you’ve paid.
- Go to sunbiz.org and click “Search Records.”
- Choose your entity type (corporation, LLC and so on) and search by name or document number.
- Click your entity name in the results and confirm it’s the right business.
- Find the “Certificate of Status” link and choose Standard ($8.75) or Certified ($24.25).
- Create an account or log in, pay by credit card, and download the certificate.
Searching by document number is the safer bet. Plenty of Florida companies have similar names, and you don’t want to pay for a certificate for someone else’s business.
Ordering by mail
Write a request letter with the entity name exactly as registered, the document number, which certificate you want (standard or certified), your contact information and a return address. Include a check or money order payable to “Florida Department of State” for $8.75 or $24.25, and mail it to:
Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Certification Section, P.O. Box 6327, Tallahassee, FL 32314
Expect 5-10 business days of processing plus mail time.
Ordering in person
The Division of Corporations office is at the Clifton Building, 2661 Executive Center Circle, Tallahassee, FL 32301. It’s open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except state holidays, and processing is usually same day, often within an hour.
Unless you’re already in Tallahassee, there’s no reason to choose mail or a visit over the online order.
What does the certificate show?
The certificate lists your entity’s official name, its document number, its date of formation or registration, its status (active, inactive or dissolved), the date the certificate was issued, and a statement confirming the entity is current on its filings. The statement reads something like this:
“This is to certify that [ENTITY NAME], a Florida Limited Liability Company, is an active entity and has paid all fees due this office through December 31, [YEAR].”
When will someone ask you for one?
Foreign qualification. Registering your Florida LLC or corporation in another state requires a Certificate of Status. Most states require it to be issued within 30-90 days of your application.
Banks. Some banks ask for one to open business accounts, approve business loans or set up credit lines. Ask whether standard is acceptable. Many banks don’t require certified.
Real estate. Title companies and lenders often want one for commercial property purchases, business property refinancing and closings involving LLCs.
Contracts and deals. Government contracts and large corporate clients may ask for proof of good standing before awarding work. Buyers in a merger or acquisition will request one during due diligence.
Lawsuits. To bring a lawsuit in Florida courts, your entity must be in good standing.
What if your entity isn’t in good standing?
You’ll get a notice instead of a certificate. So check your status on Sunbiz before you order, rather than paying to find out.
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Missed annual report | File delinquent annual report + $400 late fee |
| Failed to pay fees | Pay outstanding balance |
| Administrative dissolution | File reinstatement + all back reports |
| Revoked status | Address specific issue with Division |
The usual cause is a missed annual report. File the missing reports with their late fees, pay anything outstanding, and order the certificate once Sunbiz shows your status as “Active.” Most problems can be fixed online the same day. Reinstatement after a dissolution takes 1-2 business days.
How long is a certificate valid?
It doesn’t expire, but it only reflects your status on the date it was issued, so the people asking for it set their own limits.
| Purpose | Usually Accepted If Issued Within |
|---|---|
| Bank account opening | 30-90 days |
| Foreign qualification | 30-90 days |
| Real estate closing | 30 days |
| Court filing | 30 days |
| Contract requirement | Varies by contract |
Order it close to when you need it, not months ahead. An older certificate may be rejected, and at $8.75 there’s no point stockpiling them. Save the PDF for your own records after you hand it over.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a certificate if my annual report is due soon?
Yes, as long as your entity is currently in good standing. The certificate reflects your status at the moment it’s issued.
Does the certificate have to be mailed to me?
No. Online orders come as an immediate PDF download that you can print yourself.
Can someone else request my certificate?
Yes. Certificates are public records, and anyone can request a Certificate of Status for any Florida entity.
Do I need a certificate to do business in Florida?
No. You need to be in good standing, but you only need the certificate itself when someone asks for one. There’s no requirement to keep a current certificate on file.
Keep your status clean before anyone asks
The certificate is only as good as your standing, and the thing that usually breaks it is a forgotten annual report. File yours on time and the certificate is a quick $8.75 or $24.25 download whenever a bank or another state asks for it.
IncCraft helps Florida businesses stay compliant. We provide annual report reminders and filing services so you’re never caught off guard when you need to prove your good standing.