Copies and Certificates
Ordering Plain Copies of Records
The records of the Business Division are public information. Occasionally, a paper record must be retrieved from archived files to complete the record on older companies.
Plain copies are available at a charge of $1 for the first page, and $.50 for each additional page, providing a search of 15 minutes or less is required, and providing the records do not have to be retrieved from archives. Search charges are additional.
Records which are available include:
- Screen prints of current data, including type, formation date, addresses, status, officers & directors, and summaries of amendments, mergers and other details
- Original articles, registrations or applications for certificate of authority
- Amendments, including name changes
- Mergers
- Trade name registrations
- Dissolutions & withdrawals
By-laws and other internal documents are not ordinarily filed with the Secretary of State, and are usually available only through the company.
Ordering Certified Copies of Records
Any of the records listed above can be certified upon request. The charge for certified copies is a flat $15 for the company formation documents plus $5 for each amendment or addition.
How to Order Copies
Order online using the
Online Order Center. You will enter and submit your request, then our staff will determine the price and you will be notified by email of the price. Then you can return to the Online Order Center to pay by credit card.
For certified copies, our staff can determine the price from the data available on screen. Orders can then be placed by telephone using a credit card or by mail using a check.
For plain or certified copies, send your request by e-mail to the Business Division and specify exactly which documents you want. Our staff will return the number of pages and the copy or certification charge, which you can then pay by check or credit card. See Ordering & Payment for more information.
Ordering Certificates
The Secretary of State can issue certificates of existence or certificates of authorization (depending on the type of company) on companies which are registered, active and have filed annual reports. A "good standing" certificate does not imply that the company has met all its obligations to the state, such as payments for unemployment compensation or workers compensation, or that it is financially sound. Certificates cannot be issued for a company solely under a trade name. The fee for each certificate is $10.00.
The Secretary of State issues certificates of existence or certificates of authorization for:
- Domestic and Foreign Corporations
- Domestic and Foreign Limited Liability Companies
- Limited Partnerships
- Limited Liability Partnerships
- Business Trusts
- Voluntary Associations
How to Order Certificates
A certificate of existence or a certificate of authorization for a company may be requested:
- Online, through the Online Order Center, with payment by credit card.
- In person, with payment by cash, check or credit card.
- By mail, with payment by check.
- By telephone, fax or e-mail, with payment by credit card.
You may want to call for an informal status to make sure you know the correct company name, and to be sure a certificate can be issued.