A certificate reporting your LLC’s recorded status and a certified copy of its formation filing answer different questions. The first reports the entity’s status on the state’s records; the second certifies a copy of a specific filed document. A requester may need either or both. California’s official records guidance illustrates that distinction.
Before ordering, ask the receiving bank, state agency or other recipient to identify the exact document it accepts. Document names and scope vary by state, so use its requirements to choose the record.
California: status certificates, certified copies and plain copies
California calls its status document a Certificate of Status. It states the entity’s current recorded status, which can include active, suspended, dissolved or cancelled. Ordering a status certificate therefore does not mean the document will report an active entity.
A certified copy confirms that a particular filed document is a true and complete copy of the record. A plain downloadable copy lacks that certification. These distinctions appear in the California Secretary of State’s certificates, copies and status reports guidance.
Match the document to the question: “What is the recorded status?” differs from “What did the LLC file?” Do not treat a status certificate as proof of solvency or satisfaction of every legal obligation. For recurring compliance questions, see our annual report and good-standing guide.
Delaware: an online status result is not an official certificate
Delaware’s web status inquiry does not generate an official certificate. Its official corporate-information page distinguishes the online inquiry from obtaining an official certificate and identifies short- and long-form options.
If a recipient asks for a Delaware certificate, confirm which form it requires before selecting one. Do not assume a saved online status result satisfies that request. Also ask how recently the certificate must have been issued; avoid treating a 30-, 60- or 90-day window as a rule for every recipient.
Keep operating agreements and EIN proof separate
A certified copy of articles is not a copy of an operating agreement. California explains that operating agreements are kept by the entity rather than filed with the Secretary of State. The same official guidance states that the California Secretary of State does not issue or disclose EINs.
If a requester needs an operating agreement, start with the LLC’s own records. If it needs EIN proof, clarify that requirement separately instead of ordering a state status certificate or certified articles copy to fill the gap. Our EIN-document guide addresses that separate task.
Checklist: confirm the requirement before ordering
Use this sequence to turn a vague request for “LLC paperwork” into a specific order:
- Get the exact document name. Ask whether the recipient needs a status certificate, a certified copy of a named filing, or multiple documents. Request its written requirements if available.
- Confirm the jurisdiction. Identify which state’s record is required. For a request connected with operating in another state, use our foreign-qualification checklist for broader context, then confirm the receiving state’s document requirements.
- Ask about document age and form. Confirm acceptable issuance dates, whether a copy must be certified, and short- or long-form requirements where applicable. Ask whether any authentication is required.
- Find the official registry. For these examples, start with California’s records page or Delaware’s information page. Match the entity name and number before selecting the record.
- Check the selection and keep the receipt. Confirm that the order matches the requested document and, for a copy, the particular filing needed.
- Transmit securely. Follow the recipient’s submission instructions and retain your records. The receiving bank or state determines whether the document meets its requirements.
Short FAQ
Is a plain download a certified copy?
No. California distinguishes plain copies from copies certified as true and complete copies of a filed record. See its records guidance.
Does Delaware’s online status result count as an official certificate?
No. Delaware states that its web status inquiry does not generate an official certificate.
Do certificates universally expire after 30, 60 or 90 days?
Do not assume a universal cutoff. Ask the recipient how recently the document must have been issued and follow its stated acceptance requirements.
Sources checked November 5, 2026.