Alabama calls this document a Certificate of Existence (not Certificate of Good Standing, though both terms refer to the same thing). It's issued by the Alabama Secretary of State, confirms your LLC is active and in compliance, and costs $14 online or $28 by mail. Processing takes 1–2 business days online.
What is an Alabama Certificate of Existence?
A Certificate of Existence — Alabama's official name for what most states call a Certificate of Good Standing — is an official document from the Alabama Secretary of State confirming that your LLC is properly registered, currently active, and authorized to transact business in Alabama.
It is not something you file once and keep permanently. It's a snapshot in time — a document that says "as of this date, this LLC is in good standing with the state." Most requesting parties specify how recently the certificate must have been issued, typically within 60–90 days.
When you need one
The most common situations requiring an Alabama Certificate of Existence:
- Opening a business bank account — many banks require it before opening a business account, especially for newer LLCs
- Registering as a foreign LLC in another state — most states require a Certificate of Existence from your home state as part of the foreign qualification process
- Applying for business financing or SBA loans — lenders routinely require proof of good standing
- Entering major contracts — some vendors and partners require it before signing agreements
- Licensing applications — certain professional licenses and government contracts require current standing documentation
- Selling or transferring the business — due diligence in business sales typically includes verification of good standing
| Official Alabama name | Certificate of Existence |
| Issued by | Alabama Secretary of State |
| Online fee | $14 |
| Mail fee | $28 |
| Processing time (online) | 1–2 business days |
| Processing time (mail) | 7–10 business days |
| Where to order | sos.alabama.gov |
| Typical validity period | 60–90 days (varies by requesting party) |
How to get an Alabama Certificate of Existence
Confirm your LLC is in good standing first
Your LLC must be current on its Alabama Business Privilege Tax filing and have no outstanding compliance issues. You can verify your current status by searching the SOS business entity database at arc-sos.state.al.us. If your status shows anything other than "Active," resolve it before ordering.
Go to sos.alabama.gov
Navigate to the Secretary of State's website and look for the business entity filing portal. Log in or create an account — the same account used for other SOS filings works for certificate orders.
Search for your LLC and select Certificate of Existence
Find your LLC by name or entity ID number, then select the Certificate of Existence option from the available filings. Confirm the entity details are correct before proceeding.
Pay the $14 online fee
Pay by credit card. The certificate is typically available as a PDF download within 1–2 business days. Save and back up the PDF — you may need multiple copies for different requesting parties.
Order by mail if a certified paper copy is required
Some parties specifically require a certified paper copy rather than a PDF. Mail your request and $28 payment to the Alabama Secretary of State's office. Allow 7–10 business days. Include your LLC name, entity ID, return address, and check payable to the Secretary of State.
What can prevent you from getting one
Your LLC must be in active, compliant status to receive a Certificate of Existence. Common reasons an LLC cannot get one:
- Unpaid Alabama Business Privilege Tax — the most common cause. The privilege tax is due annually; failure to file or pay results in a delinquent status that blocks certificate issuance.
- Administrative dissolution — Alabama can dissolve LLCs that fail to maintain compliance. A dissolved LLC cannot get a Certificate of Existence without first being reinstated.
- Outstanding annual report or fee — any open compliance items must be resolved first.
If your LLC is delinquent: File and pay the Alabama Business Privilege Tax immediately at MyAlabamaTaxes (MAT) — the Alabama Department of Revenue's online portal. Once the filing is processed and the account is current, your LLC status should update to Active within a few business days, at which point you can order the Certificate of Existence.