Pennsylvania Certificate of Good Standing

How to get a Certificate of Good Standing from the Pennsylvania Department of State

A certificate of good standing in the State of Pennsylvania is also called a Certificate of Subsistence. You can order by fax, mail, in person, or online, but we recommend online. Online processing costs $40.00 and is immediate. Normal processing takes up to 2 days, plus additional time for mailing, and costs $40.00. Expedited service is available for $70.00 more and should take less than 1 day, plus additional time for mailing.

You can order

Go to their website and follow the instructions provided to sign up, search and print a certificate. You will be able to authenticate, view and print the certificate yourself right away. You will want to have your credit card handy.

Requests by mail will be expedited only if paying the additional fee and requesting expedite service. You will want to provide the business name, payment, return address information, specific request and a daytime phone number for any questions.

Prepaid account with this office is required for fax orders. Requests by fax will be expedited only if requesting expedite service. You will want to provide the business name, specific request and a daytime phone number for any questions on a normal fax cover sheet.

Requested documents can usually be provided the same day at no additional charge. You will want to have your payment handy.

How much does a Pennsylvania Certificate of Good Standing cost?

$40.00 online processing.
$40.00 for counter service and normal processing.
$110.00 for expedited processing.

Is expedited processing available?

Yes. An expedited service fee of $70.00 is required, in addition to the regular $40.00 fee. However, online orders are processed and returned immediately.

Payment options?

Check or Money Order.
Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover (online only).
Make check or money order payable to: Department of State.

How long does it take to get a Certificate of Good Standing?

Online processing: immediate.
Normal processing: 1-2 business days, plus additional time for mailing.
Expedited processing: same business day only if received by 1:00 pm, plus additional time for mailing.
Counter Service: within 3-4 hours, if received by 1:00 pm it will be ready by 5:00 pm (in person only).

How will the Certificate of Good Standing come back after I order from the Pennsylvania Department of State?

It will be returned by regular mail only.

Order a Pennsylvania Certificate of Good Standing or Existence Online:

Contact Info:

Pennsylvania Department of State
Corporation Bureau
206 North Office Building
PO Box 8722
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8721
Phone: (717)787-1057 option 5 or (888)659-9962
Fax: (717)783-2244
Email: