How to Get a Good Standing Certificate in New Hampshire

How to check whether your business is currently in good standing

You can quickly view your entity’s status by using the Secretary of State’s business search tool:

1. Enter your business name or business ID. Click “Search.”
2. In the results, navigate to your business.
3. On the right-hand side of the results, you’ll see a column labeled “Status.” If the record shows “Good Standing,” proceed with your certificate request. If it shows “Not in Good Standing” or “Administratively Dissolved,” you’ll need to resolve any outstanding issues first.

What to do if your New Hampshire business is not in good standing

If the business search tool shows that your business is not in good standing or is administratively dissolved, resolve the underlying issue before requesting a certificate of existence. Here’s what to do:

1. Identify exactly what's out of compliance. On the results page of the business search tool, click on your business name. This will bring up your business information. First, check if your registered agent information is up to date. Then, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and click “Filing History.” You’ll be able to see if there are any outstanding annual report filings or when the Secretary of State administratively dissolved your business.
2. File any overdue annual reports. If you've missed one or more years, file each overdue report through the NH QuickStart portal.
3. Pay all outstanding fees. In the NH QuickStart portal, review your business record for any unpaid fees and clear them before requesting the certificate.
4. Restore your registered agent appointment (if it has lapsed). If your registered agent has resigned or is no longer valid, identify a replacement who meets New Hampshire's requirements, file a form called “Statement of Change of Registered Agent or Registered Office, or Both,” pay the filing fee, and confirm that the new agent is reflected in your record.
5. Address administrative dissolution. If your record shows your business has been administratively dissolved, you must complete reinstatement before requesting a certificate. Under New Hampshire law, a dissolved business may apply for reinstatement within three years of the dissolution date. Reach out to the Corporations Division to inquire about how to reinstate your business.
6. Confirm that your business is back in good standing. After resolving each issue, return to the business search tool, and verify that your status reflects “Good Standing” before you request a certificate. The Corporations Division will reject the request if any outstanding obligation remains.

When you need a New Hampshire good standing certificate

A certificate of existence, or good standing, typically comes up because another party has asked for it. Here are some situations in which you might need this type of certificate:

• Registering your business in another state. The receiving state's filing office almost always requires a good standing certificate as part of the foreign qualification application.
• Securing business financing or opening a business bank account. Lenders and financial institutions routinely ask for a good standing certificate before funding a loan, extending a line of credit, or opening a new business bank account.
• Applying for state or professional licenses and permits. Many licensing applications require proof that your business is in good standing with the state before a license will be approved or renewed. Learn more in our comprehensive guide to New Hampshire business licenses and permits.
• Completing a merger, acquisition, or business sale. Buyers or their legal counsel will typically require a certificate of existence from all entities involved before a deal closes.
• Satisfying contract requirements. Commercial contracts often require proof of good standing at signing or at specific intervals during the contract term.

If your situation involves tax compliance documentation (for example, during dissolution or withdrawal), that's handled separately through the Department of Revenue Administration.

How to get a certificate of existence from the New Hampshire Secretary of State

Follow these simple steps to obtain a good standing certificate (certificate of existence) from the Secretary of State.

1. Confirm that your business is currently in good standing. Search for your business using the Secretary of State’s business search tool. Confirm that your entity status shows “Good Standing.”
2. Log in to your NH QuickStart account. Navigate to the NH QuickStart portal. If you don't already have an account, create one by selecting a user ID and password. If you've filed through NH QuickStart before, use those same credentials to log in.
3. Find the certificate request option. In your account profile, navigate to the side menu. Click “Business Services.” Then, select “Certificate of Good Standing.”
4. Verify your business details. Confirm that your business name, entity type, and entity number are accurate.
5. Pay the state fee. Online requests can be paid by credit or debit card and may carry a credit card processing fee.
6. Print or download your certificate. Once your certificate is available to download, save a digital copy and print a physical copy, as some requesting parties may require a hard copy.

How LegalZoom can help

LegalZoom’s compliance services can take a number of tasks off of your hands, from filing annual reports to serving as your registered agent. Our certificate of good standing service can help you get a certificate without putting yet another administrative task on your plate.

If you need to get your business back into good standing first, our reinstatement management service will help you draw up a roadmap and manage ongoing compliance deadlines so you don’t fall out of good standing again.

New Hampshire good standing certificate FAQs

What is a good standing certificate?

In New Hampshire, a certificate of existence and a good standing certificate, issued by the Secretary of State's Corporations Division, are the same document. It confirms that your business is legally registered and current on its compliance obligations.

A statement of good standing issued by the New Hampshire Department of Revenue Administration confirms that your business is up to date with tax returns and doesn’t have any outstanding tax liabilities.

What is the difference between a certificate of existence and a good standing certificate in New Hampshire?

There's no functional difference. "Certificate of good standing" is what you’ll see on the Secretary of State’s website, while state law also calls it a “certificate of existence.”