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Order Certified Copies of Business Documents

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Certified copies of original business documents, such as articles or annual reports, may be required from time to time as you grow and expand your company. Check out the guide below to learn more about the processes and fees required to order certified copies in each state.

Certified Copies for Business Documents

1

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, if you filed your articles with your state’s Secretary of State, this office (or another agency the office authorizes) would issue any certified copies.

Because they are issued by authorities, certified copies are commonly accepted in lieu of originals for many different filings and submissions. While original documents can be used in most situations, this is not always practical. There’s a risk for damage or loss when submitting original documents, particularly via mail. Original documents may not always be easily accessible either, making certified copies a convenient alternative.

Looking for the issuing agency in your state? Click the name of your state in the table near the bottom of this page. Or, hire us to get your certified copy for you for $50 plus state fees. Place your order from inside your free client account.

2

When do I need a certified copy?

There are many different reasons why you might need a certified copy of your business documents. For instance, if you need an apostille (an authentication for documents submitted in certain other countries), you’ll need either the original or a certified copy of your document. Also, if you are registering to expand business operations into a different state, you may need a certified copy of your articles to complete the foreign qualification. Common business documents that may need to be certified include Articles of Incorporation, Articles of Organization, amendments and annual reports.

3

Certified copy or notarized copy?

Sometimes there is confusion about certified copies and other notarized copies. A certified copy is issued by an agency of authority, like a Secretary of State office. A notarized copy is simply a photocopy of an original document that has been verified by a notary public or similar person. Uncertified, notarized copies are not typically accepted for business filings or authentication requests such as apostilles.

If you need a notarized copy, however, you can often find notary services at banks or private companies that offer common business services such as copying and mailing. Notary requirements vary state to state, but notaries generally compare the original document and the photocopy to verify the copy is true and then add appropriate stamps, seals and signatures.

4

What are the certified copy requirements in each state?

To get a business document, you’ll need to submit a request and pay a filing fee (which may include a per page fee). Processing times vary widely, and some states have multiple submission and expediting options.

Below, you’ll find the filing fees and processing times for requesting certified copies of business documents from the appropriate agency in every state. Click on the state name to see step-by-step instructions and options for ordering certified copies.

State Cost State Processing Time
Alabama $10 + $2.00-$3.50 per page 1-2 days
Alaska $5 + $10 copy request fee 1-2 business weeks
Arizona $5.00 Corps + 50 cents per page
$15.00 LLCs + 50 cents per page
2 weeks
Arkansas $5.00 24-48 business hours
California $6.00 first page and 50 cents each additional page 4 weeks
Colorado Free Immediate (online)
Connecticut $55.00 3-5 business days
Delaware $50.00 2-3 business weeks
DC $50 10 business days
Florida $8.75 Corps
$30.00 LLCs
7 business days
Georgia $10.00 Immediate (online) but 5 days for colored ink
Hawaii $13 5 business days
Idaho $10.00 3 business days
Illinois $25.00 3-5 business days
Indiana Free (online)
$15.00 + $1.00 per page (by mail)
Immediate (online)
5-7 business days (by mail)
Iowa $5.00 + $1.00 per page 2 days
Kansas $15.00 + $1.00 per page 2-3 days
Kentucky $10.00 3 days
Louisiana $15.00 2-3 days
Maine $8.00 (online)
$5.00 + $2.00 per page (mailed)
Immediate (online)
7 business days (mailed)
Maryland $20.00 + $1.00 per page 7 business days
Massachusetts $15.00 1-2 days
Michigan $16.00 10 business days
Minnesota $8 (mailed/in person)
$18 (online)
2-5 days (mailed/in person)
1 day (online)
Mississippi $10.00 + $1.00 per page Immediate (online)
Missouri $10.00 Immediate (online)
Montana $10.00 5 business days
Nebraska $10.00 + $1.00 per page 4 days
Nevada $30.00 + $2.00 per page 13-15 business days
New Hampshire $5.00 + $1.00 per page 5-7 business days
New Jersey $25.00 Corps + 10 cents per page
$50.00 LLCs + 10 cents per page
2-3 business weeks
New Mexico $25.00 2-5 business days
New York $10.00 4-5 business days
North Carolina $12.00 Immediate (online)
North Dakota $15.00 + $5.00 search of records + 50 cents per page 1-2 business days
Counter service: while you wait
Ohio $5.00 1-2 business days
Oklahoma $10.00 online + $1.00 per page + 4% credit card processing fee 1 hour (online)
Oregon $15.00 3-7 business days
Counter service: while you wait
Pennsylvania $55.00 + $3.00 per page
$40.00 + $3.00 per document (online)
1-2 days
Immediate (online)
Rhode Island $10.00 + 15 cents per page (all other entities) 5-7 business days
Counter service: while you wait
South Carolina $3.00 first page + 50 cents each additional page 2-3 business days
Counter service: while you wait
South Dakota $15.00 + $2.00 per page 1-2 business days
Tennessee $20.00 1-2 business days
Counter service: while you wait
Texas $15.00 + $1.00 per page 1-2 business hours online
Utah $12.00 + $.30 per page
$12.00 (online)
7-10 business days
Immediate (online)
Vermont $25.00 + $1.00 per page 3-5 business days.
Virginia $6.00 2-3 business days
Washington $20.00 5-7 business days
West Virginia $15.00 + $5.00 per amendment or additional document filing 24-48 business hours online
Counter service: while you wait
Wisconsin $10.00 5-7 business days
Wyoming  $3.00 + 50 cents per page 2 business days
Counter service: while you wait

 

Need more resources or services?

We can do more than order certified copies on behalf of your business. We offer LLC and corporation formation and registered agent services in every state, as well as a wide variety of other services, from annual report filings to free business forms.

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