How to Get a DC Certificate of Good Standing, Step by Step
A Certificate of Good Standing confirms your business entity is properly registered with the DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) and is current on its filings. You order it through the CorpOnline portal, and it is a routine attachment on grant and contract submissions.
Funders and contracting officers want proof your entity legally exists and is in good standing before they award money. A lapsed biennial report is the usual reason an entity falls out of good standing, and you cannot order the certificate until that is fixed.
How to order your Certificate of Good Standing
- 1Sign in to CorpOnline
Log in to the DLCP CorpOnline portal with the account that holds your registered entity. Create an account and link the entity if you have not before.
- 2Confirm your biennial report is current
Good standing depends on your two-year (biennial) report being filed. Check the entity’s status first, if the report is overdue, the certificate will be blocked.
- 3File the biennial report if it is overdue
If needed, file (and pay for) the outstanding biennial report inside CorpOnline, then wait for the status to update to active/current.
- 4Order the certificate
From the entity record, choose to order a Certificate of Good Standing, pay the fee, and download the PDF.
Document checklist
- A CorpOnline account with your registered entity
- Biennial report filed and current
Common mistakes that get applications bounced
- ×A lapsed biennial report quietly knocking the entity out of good standing.
- ×Ordering for the wrong entity name or an old trade name.
- ×Leaving it to the last day, filing a late biennial report first takes time to post.
FAQ
Most often an unfiled biennial report. File it in CorpOnline, let the status update, then order the certificate.
If your entity is already current, the certificate is available right away in CorpOnline. If you have to file a late biennial report first, allow time for it to post.
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Browse opportunitiesThis guide is educational and explains the process in plain English, it is not legal advice. Forms and requirements change; always download the current version and confirm requirements at the official source.