A legal document known as an Alabama Certificate of Existence attests to a company’s existence in the state of Alabama. As a Certificate of Good Standing, it is also known. This document serves as evidence that the company has the necessary tax and regulatory files on file and is qualified to do business in the state.
The Alabama Secretary of State’s office is responsible for issuing Alabama Certificates of Existence. It is necessary for a variety of commercial dealings, including getting loans, starting bank accounts, and renewing permits. Without this certification, a company risked financial and legal repercussions.
A business must register with the Alabama Secretary of State’s office in order to get an Alabama Certificate of Existence. Typically, this entails registering a corporate or limited liability company (LLC) as a commercial entity. Once registered, the company must continue to operate in good standing by submitting yearly reports and paying any necessary taxes.
A company may apply for a “doing business as” (DBA) name if it wishes to conduct business under a name other than the one that is listed as its registered name. This also has a trade name in Alabama. The business must first determine whether the name is available by running a name search through the Alabama Secretary of State’s office before registering a DBA under an LLC.
The company must submit a Certificate of Formation for the LLC and include the DBA name as soon as the name is available. The company must also submit a Statement of Trade Name or a Certificate of Name Reservation to the Alabama Secretary of State’s office. A DBA in Alabama must be filed for $70.
An Alabama Certificate of Existence costs $35 for paper submissions and $28 for internet filings. On the website of the Alabama Secretary of State, the certificate can be acquired online or by mail. While traditional filings can take up to 10 business days to process, internet filings normally take 1-2 business days.
An Alabama Certificate of Existence, in summary, is a significant legal document that attests to a company’s good standing within the state of Alabama. It must be obtained by businesses registered with the Alabama Secretary of State’s office and is necessary for many business activities. A certificate can be purchased for a reasonable price and sent in the mail or online.