How to Get A Certified Copy
A certified copy is a state-issued duplicate of an original filing.
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State-Certified Copies
A certified copy of a state business document, such as your articles or annual report, may be required to do business in another state, for certain financial activities, or to provide legal proof of your business records.
Check out our guide to getting a certified copy below or one of our state-specific guides to learn how to easily get a certified copy for your business.
Find out how to get a certified copy in your state
What is a Certified Copy?
A certified copy is a copy of an original document issued by the same authority as the original document. In other words, it’s an official duplicate of your filing. Certified copies usually have a raised, embossed, or stamped seal from the issuing agency that marks them as authentic.
How do you get a certified copy?
You typically get certified copies from the same state agency that provided you with your original documents. So, if you filed your articles with the Secretary of State’s office, you’ll also get your certified copies from the SOS.
Some agencies only allow you to order copies online, while others also provide mail or walk-in service. Check with the appropriate agency in your state (or one of our state-specific guides) for the exact process in your state.
What documents can you get certified copies of?
You can generally get a copy of any business filing you’ve submitted to the state. This includes:
- Articles of Incorporation or Organization
- Amendments
- Annual reports
- DBA or trade name
- Certificates of authority, dissolution, or reinstatement
Certified Copy Versus Notarized Copy
A certified copy is different from a notarized copy. Notary requirements vary state to state, but notaries generally compare the original document to the photocopy to verify the copy is true and then add appropriate stamps, seals, and signatures.
If a notarized copy is what you need, you can often find notary services at banks or private companies that offer common business services such as copying and mailing.
- Issued by an agency of authority, like the Secretary of State's office
- Provides verification that the original document is authentic
- Includes a raised or embossed seal or stamp from the issuing agency
- A photocopy of an original document verified by a notary public or notary service
- Provides verification that the copy is exact, not that the original is authentic
- Includes the notary's signature, stamp, and a notarial certificate
Reasons To Get A Certified Copy
Why might you need a certified copy?
- To get an apostille, a form of authentication for documents submitted in certain other countries
- To register to expand business operations into a different state as part of foreign qualification
- To apply for bank accounts, loans, grants, or insurance
- To provide legal evidence or prevent fraud
- To keep your own records complete
- To use in place of original documents to prevent them from getting damaged or misplaced
- To replace lost documents
Get your certified copy quickly & easily. Log in or sign up for a free account and place an order inside the portal ($50 + state fees).
How Much Does a Certified Copy Cost?
State |
State Agency |
State Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Secretary of State | $10 + $2/page |
| Alaska | Division of Corporations | $15 |
| Arizona | Corporation Commission | $5 + $.50/page |
| Arkansas | Secretary of State | $25 |
| California | Secretary of State | $5 |
| Colorado | Secretary of State | Free |
| Connecticut | Secretary of State | $55 |
| Delaware | Division of Corporations | $50 |
| DC | Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection | $50 |
| Florida | Division of Corporations | $8.75 (corporations) $30 (LLCs) |
| Georgia | Secretary of State | $20 |
| Hawaii | Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs | $13 |
| Idaho | Secretary of State | $10 +$.25/page |
| Illinois | Secretary of State | $25 |
| Indiana | Secretary of State | Free (online) $15 + $1/page (by mail) |
| Iowa | Secretary of State | $5 + $1/page |
| Kansas | Secretary of State | $15 + $1/page |
| Kentucky | Secretary of State | $5 + $.50/page (over 5 pages) |
| Louisiana | Secretary of State | $15 |
| Maine | Secretary of State | $5 + $2/page |
| Maryland | Maryland Business Express | $20 + $1/page |
| Massachusetts | Secretary of State | $12 (Articles) $7 + $2/page (other documents) |
| Michigan | Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs | $16 |
| Minnesota | Secretary of State | $8 |
| Mississippi | Secretary of State | $11 |
| Missouri | Secretary of State | $10 + $.50/page |
| Montana | Secretary of State | $10 |
| Nebraska | Secretary of State | $11 |
| Nevada | Secretary of State | $30 + $2/page |
| New Hampshire | Secretary of State | $5 + $1/page |
| New Jersey | Department of Revenue and Enterprise Services | $25-$50 |
| New Mexico | Secretary of State | $25 |
| New York | Department of State | $10 |
| North Carolina | Secretary of State | $12 + $1/page |
| North Dakota | Secretary of State | $20 + $.50/page |
| Ohio | Secretary of State | $5 |
| Oklahoma | Secretary of State | $10 + $1/page |
| Oregon | Secretary of State | $15 |
| Pennsylvania | Department of State | $40 +$3/page |
| Rhode Island | State Business Services Division | $10 + $.15/page |
| South Carolina | Secretary of State | $3 + $.50/page |
| South Dakota | Secretary of State | $15 + $2/page |
| Tennessee | Secretary of State | $20 |
| Texas | Secretary of State | $15 + $1/page |
| Utah | Division of Corporations and Commercial Code | $12 + $.30/page |
| Vermont | Secretary of State | $25 + $1/page |
| Virginia | State Corporation Commission | $6 |
| Washington | Secretary of State | $10-$20 |
| West Virginia | Secretary of State | $15 |
| Wisconsin | Department of Financial Institutions | $10 |
| Wyoming | Secretary of State | $10 (10 pages or fewer) $15 + $.15/page (more than 10 pages) |
Certified Copies Made Easy
We take the guesswork out of getting certified copies for your business. Log in to an existing account or create a free account, and order from inside the portal today.