Certified Copies & Certificates

  1. How do I order copies or certificates from the secretary of state?

    Copies of filed documents or certificates issued by the secretary of state regarding filings, including certificates of status (certificates of existence) may be ordered by any of the following methods.  Remember to include payment with your request.

    • Online: SOSDirect
    • Phone: (512) 463-5578
    • Fax: (512) 463-2512*
    • Email
    • Mail: Public Information Response Team
      Corporations Section
      P. O. Box 13697
      Austin, Texas 78711-369

      *Requests for copies or certificates received by fax are given expedited handling and charged the $10 expedited handling fee.

  2. How do I obtain a certificate of good standing?

    A “certificate of good standing” is a certificate issued by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts regarding an entity’s tax account status.  Certificates of good standing are often confused with certificates of status.  A “certificate of status” is a certificate issued by the secretary of state that serves as official evidence of an entity’s existence or authority to transact business in Texas.  A certificate of status provides a statement of an entity’s status, as well as the entity’s current legal name and date of formation or registration.

  3. When will I receive my order?

    Orders for certificates of status are generally processed within one business day of receipt. Orders for copies typically take 4 to 5 business days, but can be expedited at the time of placing the order for an additional $10.  Expedited copy orders are completed within 1 to 3 business days after the receipt. All faxed orders for copies or certificates are treated as expedited requests and are charged accordingly. SOSDirect is usually a quick alternative to a request for expedited handling.