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How to Get a Certificate of Good Standing in Texas

Texas calls it the Certificate of Fact - Status and charges $15. Here is how to order it and what must be current first.

At a glance

Document name
Certificate of Fact - Status
State fee
$15
Online ordering
Yes
Typical turnaround
Emailed within ~2 hours via SOSDirect
Issuing office
Texas SOS ↗

How to order it

  1. Clear any past-due filings first. The Texas 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 Texas portal, request the certificate, and download it. Link in the table above.
  3. Pay the $15 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 Texas

Texas issues a "Certificate of Fact - Status" through the Secretary of State at $15 (plus a $1 SOSDirect search fee). Order online via SOSDirect at sos.state.tx.us/corp/sosda/index.shtml (24/7 access, no expedite fee for online), by mail to Certifying Team, Secretary of State, P.O. Box 13697, Austin TX 78711-3697, by fax (512) 463-5709, by email, by phone, or in-person. Online orders are typically emailed back within 2 hours. SOSDirect adds a small statutorily authorized $1 fee per search and a ~2.7% credit card convenience fee.

Processing and expedited tiers: Emailed within ~2 hours via SOSDirect; 1 business day for mail/email/phone orders; 6-8 business days for routine mail

Important to know about Texas

  • Texas has TWO different "good standing" documents - the SOS-issued Certificate of Fact - Status (proves entity existence) and the Comptroller-issued Certificate of Account Status (proves franchise tax compliance). Some out-of-state filings require BOTH. The Comptroller document is at comptroller.texas.gov.
  • The franchise tax must be current. Texas LLCs file an annual Public Information Report and franchise tax report by May 15. LLCs with revenue under $1.23M file a "No Tax Due" report but must still file.
  • Mail/phone/in-person orders are processed within 1 business day. Routine mail (no expedite) can take 6-8 business days. SOSDirect online orders are typically returned within 2 hours and have no expedite fee.
  • Original Texas certificates are electronically generated - no gold or raised seals. They contain the electronic signature of the Secretary of State and look black and white. Some out-of-state agencies have rejected these citing "lack of seal" - have a backup explanation ready.
  • In-person counter service charges $10 above the base fee. Fax expedite charges $10 plus $2 per page.

Ordering this to register in another state?

A certificate of good standing from Texas is what the new state asks for when your Texas LLC registers to do business there. Pick the state you are expanding into to see its exact filing, fee, and process.

Find your state-to-state guide · Registering an out-of-state LLC into Texas instead?

Related guides

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