How to Order a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing Online
Need a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing? Learn how to order one online or by mail, what it costs ($50 or $175), and how fast you can get it.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Introduction
You can order a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing through the Delaware Division of Corporations' Document Filing and Certificate Request Service online, or by mailing a written request to the Division. The short-form certificate costs $50 and the long-form costs $175. Expedited options are available if you need it faster.
What is a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing?
A Delaware Certificate of Good Standing — also called a Certificate of Status or Certificate of Existence — is an official document issued by the Delaware Secretary of State that confirms your business exists and is in good standing with the state. It shows that your entity has been properly formed, is currently active, and is up to date on required filings and state taxes.
Banks, lenders, investors, and government agencies commonly ask for this document when you're opening a business bank account, applying for financing, registering to do business in another state, or entering into certain contracts. It's one of those documents that doesn't come up every day — but when someone asks for it, they usually need it quickly.
To be in good standing in Delaware, your business needs to be current on its franchise taxes, annual reports, and any other state-required filings. If any of those are overdue, the state won't issue the certificate until you're caught up.
Short form vs. long form: which one do you need?
Delaware issues 2 types of good standing certificates. Most requestors only need the short form, but some situations — particularly legal proceedings or foreign qualification in certain states — call for the long form. Knowing which one you need before you order saves you from paying for the wrong certificate.
Short form Certificate of Good Standing (Certificate of Status)
The short form — officially called a Certificate of Status — confirms your entity's name and its current standing with the state. It doesn't include historical filing data. This is the standard certificate for most business purposes: bank account openings, loan applications, and basic proof of existence. It costs $50.
Long form Certificate of Good Standing
The long form includes more detailed information about your entity's filing history and status over time. It's typically required when another state's foreign qualification process asks for it, or when a legal matter demands a more complete record. It costs $175. If you're not sure which one the requesting party needs, ask them before you order.
How to order a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing
There are 2 ways to order: online through the Delaware Division of Corporations' Document Filing and Certificate Request Service, or by mailing a written request to the Division. Online is faster. One thing worth knowing: the Division's online status check tool shows your entity's current status, but it does not generate an official certificate — you need to go through the Document Filing and Certificate Request Service for that.
Order online
Go to the Delaware Division of Corporations' Document Filing and Certificate Request Service at corp.delaware.gov/directweb. You'll search for your entity by name or file number, select the certificate type (short form at $50 or long form at $175), choose your processing speed, and pay by credit card. The Division will mail the certificate to the address you provide — certificates can't be returned by fax or email.
Order by mail
Send a written request to the Delaware Division of Corporations at 401 Federal Street, Suite 4, Dover, DE 19901. You can use the Division's Certification Request Memo or submit the request on corporate letterhead. Include your business's legal name, entity file number if you have it, the certificate type you need, whether you want expedited processing, and your name, mailing address, and phone number. Payment must accompany the request.
How long does it take to get a Delaware Certificate of Good Standing?
Processing time depends on whether you pay for expedited service. Standard processing through a registered agent typically runs 1 to 3 weeks, though the Division's actual turnaround varies with office volume and can be longer during busy filing seasons. If you need it faster, Delaware offers multiple expedited tiers for an additional fee.
The Division offers a 24-hour expedited tier and a same-day tier. For same-day service, your request needs to reach the Division by that day's cutoff time. Same-day expedite fees typically range from $100 to $200 on top of the base certificate fee, depending on the filing type. For the 24-hour tier, requests must be received by 7:00 PM ET to guarantee same-day evidence.
If your business has overdue franchise taxes or unfiled annual reports, the Division won't issue the certificate until those are resolved. Getting your filings current before you order is the step people most often overlook when they're in a hurry.
What you need to include in your request
Whether you order online or by mail, the Division needs specific information to process your request. Missing any of these details can delay your certificate, so it's worth double-checking before you submit.
Your business's legal name as registered with the state
Your entity file number (if available — this speeds up the search)
The certificate type: short form ($50) or long form ($175)
Whether you need expedited processing and which tier
Your name and mailing address (certificates are returned by mail only — not by fax or email)
Your phone number and email address if available
Payment for the certificate fee plus any expedite fees
FAQ
Yes. You can order one through the Delaware Division of Corporations' Document Filing and Certificate Request Service at corp.delaware.gov/directweb. Keep in mind that the Division's online status check tool — at corp.delaware.gov/onlinestatus — shows your entity's current status but does not generate an official certificate. You need to go through the Document Filing and Certificate Request Service to get the actual certificate.
The short-form Certificate of Good Standing (Certificate of Status) costs $50. The long-form Certificate of Good Standing costs $175. If you need expedited processing, additional fees apply on top of the base certificate fee — same-day expedite fees typically range from $100 to $200 depending on the filing type.
It depends on the processing speed you choose. Standard processing typically takes 1 to 3 weeks, though the Division's turnaround varies with office volume. Delaware offers a 24-hour expedited tier and a same-day tier for an additional fee. For same-day service, your request needs to reach the Division by the day's cutoff time. Requests for the 24-hour tier must be received by 7:00 PM ET.
The state doesn't set a formal expiration date on the certificate itself, but the party requesting it — a bank, lender, or government agency — often has its own freshness requirement. Many institutions want a certificate issued within the last 30 to 90 days. Check with the requesting party before you order so you don't end up with a certificate that's too old to use.
The Division won't issue a certificate until your business is current on all required filings and state taxes. If your franchise taxes are overdue or your annual report hasn't been filed, you'll need to resolve those first. Once you're caught up, you can submit your certificate request. A compliance platform or registered agent can help you figure out what's outstanding and get it filed.
The short form ($50) confirms your entity's name and current standing — no historical data. The long form ($175) includes more detailed information about your entity's filing history over time. Most banks and lenders accept the short form. The long form is typically required for foreign qualification in certain states or for specific legal proceedings. If you're not sure which one you need, ask the requesting party before you order.
Yes, but you need to pay for same-day expedited service and submit your request before the Division's cutoff time for that day. Same-day expedite fees typically range from $100 to $200 on top of the base certificate fee. If you miss the cutoff, the next available option is the 24-hour tier, which requires your request to be received by 7:00 PM ET.
