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How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Massachusetts

Massachusetts calls it the Certificate of Good Standing (Corporations Division) and charges $25. Here is how to order it and what must be current first.

At a glance

Document name
Certificate of Good Standing (Corporations Division)
State fee
$25
Online ordering
Yes
Typical turnaround
Same-day email delivery for online orders
Issuing office
Massachusetts SOS ↗

How to order it

  1. Clear any past-due filings first. The Massachusetts SOS will not issue a certificate while you have unpaid tax or an unfiled report. The state-specific requirements are in the points below.
  2. Order it online. Search your LLC in the Massachusetts portal, request the certificate, and download it. Link in the table above.
  3. Pay the $25 fee. Pay by card at checkout. A small card surcharge usually applies.
  4. Use it inside the recipient's window. The certificate has no state expiration, but banks and other states usually want one dated within the last 30 to 90 days. Order it close to when you need it.
Full ordering details for Massachusetts

Massachusetts issues TWO different good standing certificates depending on the purpose. The Secretary of the Commonwealth Corporations Division issues a Certificate of Good Standing / Legal Existence at $25 for LLCs ($12 for corporations) - ordered at corp.sec.state.ma.us. This confirms the entity is registered and has filed its annual reports. The Department of Revenue (DOR) issues a separate Certificate of Good Standing and/or Tax Compliance via MassTaxConnect - this confirms tax compliance and is often required for licensing, loans, or selling the business. For most foreign qualification purposes, the Corporations Division certificate is sufficient. Massachusetts LLC annual reports are $500 per year (one of the highest in the country).

Processing and expedited tiers: Same-day email delivery for online orders; 5-7 business days by mail

Important to know about Massachusetts

  • Massachusetts has TWO separate Good Standing certificates: one from the Secretary of the Commonwealth (Corporations Division, $25 for LLCs, confirms entity exists and annual reports filed) and one from the Department of Revenue (tax compliance, free via MassTaxConnect). Know which one the receiving party requires.
  • The Massachusetts LLC annual report is $500 per year - the highest in the country. Missing the anniversary deadline leads to administrative dissolution. All annual reports must be current before a Certificate of Good Standing will issue.
  • Request electronic delivery by email when placing the order - Massachusetts offers this at no additional cost. Otherwise the certificate is mailed (5-7 business days).
  • The DOR Certificate of Good Standing (tax compliance) is issued by mail within 24-48 hours of approval through MassTaxConnect. All Massachusetts taxes must be filed and fully paid under Chapter 62C.
  • Common confusion: the corporate fee is $12 but the LLC fee is $25. Some third-party guides quote only the corporate fee.

Ordering this to register in another state?

A certificate of good standing is what a new state asks for when you register your Massachusetts LLC to do business there. Start with the guide for where you are expanding.

Massachusetts foreign LLC guide · Foreign qualification by state

Related guides

This page provides general information based on publicly available Massachusetts Secretary of State requirements. It is not legal advice. Names, fees, and procedures can change. Verify with the Massachusetts SOS before ordering.