Quick facts
- Category: Business / Corporate
- Apostilled by the California Secretary of State (Sacramento or Los Angeles)
- Fee: $20 per document (mail) or $26 (walk-in) at the California Secretary of State
- Free document review before you pay any government fee
- Tracked outbound and return shipping included
What to know
Issuing office. California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division. Order channels: - Online: bizfileOnline.sos.ca.gov (Certificates of Status for corporations, LLCs, and LPs — typically fastest, often within minutes). - Mail: Secretary of State, Certification and Records, P.O. Box 944260, Sacramento, CA 94244-2600. - Drop-off (in person): 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 (priority over mail; special handling fee applies). Certified route (how to obtain the certificate): 1. Identify the entity exactly — name as registered and the SOS entity (file) number (search free at bizfileOnline.sos.ca.gov). 2. Order a CERTIFICATE OF STATUS — say “for apostille / international use.” 3. Pay the $5 fee. Confirm the SOS signature and State Seal are present before submitting for apostille. Who can request it. Anyone — Certificate of Status requests are available for registered entities; no.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as a Certificate of Good Standing?
Yes — in California it’s called the Certificate of Status. Order it whenever a destination asks for “good standing” or “existence.”
Can I just print the “Active” status from the state website?
No — a free status look-up isn’t the certificate. The apostille authenticates the SOS-issued, signed certificate.
How much is it?
$5 (Gov. Code §12183), issued certificate — no per-page fee.
How recent does it need to be?
Many destinations want it issued within the last 30–90 days; confirm the receiving party’s rule.
Common destinations
Countries this document is most often sent to (pulled from this page's own guidance). Every destination has its own rulebook — apostille (Hague) or full legalization (non-Hague).