How to check if your LLC is in good standing
Updated March 2026
If you're reading this, something probably triggered a concern. Maybe a bank asked for a certificate of good standing and you're not sure you have one. Maybe you realized you haven't filed an annual report in a while. Maybe a partner or client mentioned checking your business status and you felt a knot in your stomach.
The good news is that checking your business status takes about two minutes and is free in every state. Here's exactly how to do it, what the results mean, and what to do if the news isn't great.
Step 1: Find your state's business entity search
Every Secretary of State office (or equivalent agency) maintains a public database of registered businesses. You can search it for free, no account required. Go to your state's Secretary of State website and look for a link labeled "Business Search," "Business Entity Search," "Corporation Search," or something similar. It's usually on the homepage.
Search by your exact business name or your entity number (the number assigned when you formed your LLC or corporation). Your entity record will show your current status.
Step 2: Understand what your status means
The terminology varies by state, but most use some version of these statuses:
Active / Good Standing / Current — your business is compliant with all filing requirements. This is where you want to be. You can obtain a certificate of good standing, enter contracts, expand to other states, and your liability protection is intact.
Delinquent / Not in Good Standing / Past Due — you've missed a filing or payment but your business hasn't been dissolved yet. This is your warning window. You can usually fix this by filing the overdue report and paying any late fees. The longer you wait, the more fees accumulate and the closer you get to dissolution.
Suspended / Inactive — some states suspend your business rights before fully dissolving you. During suspension, you may not be able to file lawsuits, enter new contracts, or legally transact business. Your liability protection may be compromised. This requires immediate action.
Administratively Dissolved / Revoked / Forfeited — the state has terminated your business entity. This is the worst-case scenario. You are no longer authorized to conduct business under that entity name. Any business you conduct after dissolution may expose you to personal liability. Reinstatement is possible in most states but requires filing all past-due reports, paying all accumulated fees and penalties, and submitting a formal reinstatement application.
What to do if you're not in good standing
Don't panic, but do act quickly. The fix depends on how far behind you are.
If you're delinquent (missed a filing): File the overdue report immediately. Most states let you do this online through the same Secretary of State portal where you checked your status. Pay the filing fee plus any late penalties. Your status should update to "Active" or "Good Standing" within a few days to a few weeks depending on the state.
If you've been suspended: Same process as delinquent, but you may have additional requirements depending on your state. Some states require a separate reinstatement form in addition to the overdue filings. Check your state's specific procedures.
If you've been administratively dissolved: This is more complex. You'll need to file all past-due reports (sometimes going back several years), pay all accumulated fees, penalties, and interest, submit a formal reinstatement application with the Secretary of State, and verify that your business name hasn't been claimed by another entity during the dissolution period. Reinstatement fees and timelines vary significantly by state. Some states allow reinstatement within a specific window (often 2-5 years after dissolution) while others have no time limit. In some states, like Florida, if your business name was claimed by another entity during dissolution, you may need to register under a new name.
How to avoid this situation going forward
The most reliable prevention is knowing exactly what your state requires and when. Annual report deadlines, tax filing dates, registered agent requirements, and license renewals all vary by state — and missing any one of them can start the cascade toward lost good standing.
This is exactly why we created comprehensive compliance guides for every state. Each guide lists every filing requirement, every deadline, every fee, and every penalty specific to your state, organized with a calendar and step-by-step instructions so nothing slips through the cracks.
Find your state's compliance guide here — and make sure you never get caught off guard by a missed filing again.