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Certified Copies of Business Entity Documents in 50 States & DC

Updated: Sep 20, 2022

Certified copies of business entity documents


Business entities, companies, and corporations are usually required to provide certified copies of their company records. Certified Copies are true and correct copies of business filings, which can be obtained from the office where you filed the documents. Each state has different departments or offices to process the certified copy request.


Examples of certified copies of business entity documents that you might want on hand include:

  • Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Formation

  • Certificate of Incorporation

  • Certificate of Existence

  • Articles of Amendment

  • Good standing certificate

  • Annual report

  • Certificate of Authority

  • Other documents filed with the Secretary of State


Apostille and Authentication of Certified Copies


In case your business documents are requested by foreign countries, a certification process should be completed after you obtain your certified copies. There are two types of certificates: Apostille and Authentication. Apostilles are issued to documents intended for use in Hague Apostille countries. Certificates of Authentication are issued to countries that are Non-Hague Apostille countries.


🛎 For Hague Apostille countries, order the apostille service.


🛎 For Non-Hague Apostille countries, order the multi-step authentication service.


Obtain certified copies of business entity documents in 50 states & DC


FYI, below is the information about getting certified copies of business entities in 50 states and DC.


1. Alabama Certified Copies

Website: http://sos.alabama.gov/

Name Search: http://sos.alabama.gov/government-records/business-entity-records

Forms: https://www.sos.alabama.gov/business-entities/business-downloads

Online Filing: https://www.alabamainteractive.org/sos/welcome.action


2. Alaska Certified Copies

Website: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/corporations.aspx

Name Search: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/cbp/main/search/entities

Forms: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/Corporations/CorpFormsFees.aspx

Online Filing: https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/cbpl/Corporations/CorpFormsFees.aspx

Email: corporations@alaska.gov


3. Arizona Certified Copies

Website: https://www.azcc.gov/

Name Search: https://ecorp.azcc.gov/EntitySearch/Index

Forms: http://www.azcc.gov/Divisions/Corporations/forms/formsindex.asp

Online Filing: https://ecorp.azcc.gov/AzAccount?sessionExpired=False

Email: filings.corp@azcc.gov


4. Arkansas Certified Copies

Website: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/BCS/Pages/default.aspx

Name Search: http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/corps/search_all.php

Forms: https://www.ark.org/sos/ofs/docs/index.php

Online Filing: https://www.ark.org/sos/ofs/docs/index.php

Email: corprequest@sos.arkansas.gov


5. California Certified Copies

Website: http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/

Name Search: https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business

Forms: http://www.sos.ca.gov/business/be/forms.htm

Online Filing: https://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/bizfile/file-online/


6. Colorado Certified Copies

Website: https://www.coloradosos.gov/

Name Search: https://www.coloradosos.gov/biz/BusinessEntityCriteriaExt.do

Online Filing: https://www.coloradosos.gov/pubs/business/fileAForm.html

Email: business@sos.state.co.us


7. Connecticut Certified Copies

Website: https://portal.ct.gov/sots

Name Search: https://service.ct.gov/business/s/onlinebusinesssearch?language=en_US

Forms: https://business.ct.gov/manage/all-business-filings?language=en_US

Online Filing: https://business.ct.gov/

Email: crd@ct.gov


8. Delaware Certified Copies

Website: https://corp.delaware.gov/

Name Search: https://icis.corp.delaware.gov/Ecorp/EntitySearch/NameSearch.aspx

Forms: http://corp.delaware.gov/corpforms.shtml

Online Filing: https://onestop.delaware.gov/#

Email: corp@delaware.gov


9. District of Columbia Certified Copies

Website: https://dcra.dc.gov/page/corporation-services-0

Name Search: https://corponline.dcra.dc.gov/Account.aspx/LogOn?ReturnUrl=%2fHome.aspx

Forms: https://eservices.dcra.dc.gov/DocumentManagementSystem

Online Filing: https://corponline.dcra.dc.gov/Account.aspx/LogOn?ReturnUrl=%2f

Email: dcra@dc.gov


10. Florida Certified Copies

Website: http://www.sunbiz.org/index.html

Name Search: https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/search/

Forms: http://www.sunbiz.org/downloads.html

Online Filing: https://efile.sunbiz.org/onlmenu.html

Email: corphelp@dos.state.fl.us


11. Georgia Certified Copies

Website: http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/?section=corporations

Name Search: https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/BusinessSearch

Forms: http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/?section=corporations

Online Filing: https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/Account


12. Hawaii Certified Copies

Website: http://cca.hawaii.gov/breg/

Name Search: https://hbe.ehawaii.gov/documents/search.html;jsessionid=8EF56F1402F4FEA97CA5FF46E7F5F99D.liona

Forms: http://cca.hawaii.gov/breg/registration/

Online Filing: https://hbe.ehawaii.gov/BizEx/home.eb

Email: breg@dcca.hawaii.gov


13. Idaho Certified Copies

Website: http://www.sos.idaho.gov/

Name Search: https://sosbiz.idaho.gov/search/business

Online Filing: https://sosbiz.idaho.gov/forms/business

Email: sosinfo@sos.idaho.gov


14. Illinois Certified Copies

Website: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/business_services/home.html

Name Search: http://www.ilsos.gov/corporatellc/

Forms: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/business_services/

Online Filing: https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/business_services/business_not-for-profit/home.html


15. Indiana Certified Copies

Website: http://www.in.gov/sos/business/index.htm

Name Search: https://bsd.sos.in.gov/publicbusinesssearch

Forms: http://www.in.gov/sos/business/2426.htm

Online Filing: https://inbiz.in.gov/BOS/Home/Index


16. Iowa Certified Copies

Website: http://sos.iowa.gov/

Name Search: http://sos.iowa.gov/search/business/(S(3llohx55fq4r02555yhyoveb))/search.aspx

Forms: http://sos.iowa.gov/business/FormsAndFees.html

Online Filing: https://sos.iowa.gov/file/origination/index.aspx

Email: sos@sos.iowa.gov


17. Kansas Certified Copies

Website: https://sos.ks.gov/

Name Search: https://www.kansas.gov/bess/flow/main;jsessionid=CA85ED554BD3D68D8977CE9F2A3D4272.aptcs03-inst1?execution=e1s1

Forms: https://sos.ks.gov/forms/forms_results.aspx?division=BS

Online Filing: https://sos.ks.gov/forms/forms_results.aspx?division=BS&orderby=online

Email: corp@sos.ks.gov


18. Kentucky Certified Copies

Website: https://www.sos.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Name Search: https://web.sos.ky.gov/ftsearch/

Forms: https://www.sos.ky.gov/bus/Forms/Pages/default.aspx

Online Filing: https://secure.kentucky.gov/sos/ftbr/welcome.aspx


19. Louisiana Certified Copies

Website: http://www.sos.la.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Name Search: https://coraweb.sos.la.gov/CommercialSearch/CommercialSearch.aspx

Forms: http://www.sos.la.gov/BusinessServices/FileBusinessDocuments/GetFormsAndFeeSchedule/Pages/default.aspx

Online Filing: http://www.sos.la.gov/BusinessServices/FileBusinessDocuments/Pages/default.aspx


20. Maine Certified Copies

Website: http://maine.gov/sos/cec/corp/index.html

Name Search: https://icrs.informe.org/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS?MainPage=x

Forms: http://maine.gov/sos/cec/corp/corp.html

Online Filing: https://icrs.informe.org/nei-sos-icrs/ICRS


21. Maryland Certified Copies

Website: https://dat.maryland.gov/pages/default.aspx

Name Search: https://egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress/EntitySearch

Forms: http://dat.maryland.gov/Pages/sdatforms.aspx#BNE

Online Filing: https://egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress

Email: SDAT.CharterHelp@Maryland.gov


22. Massachusetts Certified Copies

Website: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cor/coridx.htm

Name Search: http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corpweb/corpsearch/CorpSearch.aspx

Forms: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/cor/functionality/walkinmail.htm

Online Filing: https://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corp/loginsystem/login_form.asp?FilingMethod=I

Email: cis@sec.state.ma.us


23. Michigan Certified Copies

Website: http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-35299_61343_35413---,00.html

Name Search: https://cofs.lara.state.mi.us/SearchApi/Search/Search

Forms: http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-61343_35413_36736---,00.html

Online Filing: https://cofs.lara.state.mi.us/corpweb/LoginSystem/ExternalLogin.aspx

Email: corpsmail@michigan.gov


24. Minnesota Certified Copies

Website: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/

Name Search: http://mblsportal.sos.state.mn.us/

Forms: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/business-liens/business-forms-fees/

Online Filing: https://mblsportal.sos.state.mn.us/

Email: business.services@state.mn.us


25. Mississippi Certified Copies

Website: https://www.sos.ms.gov/

Name Search: https://corp.sos.ms.gov/corp/portal/c/page/corpbusinessidsearch/portal.aspx?#clear=1

Online Filing: https://corp.sos.ms.gov/corp/portal/c/page/login/portal.aspx


26. Missouri Certified Copies

Website: http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/

Name Search: https://bsd.sos.mo.gov/BusinessEntity/BESearch.aspx?SearchType=0

Forms: http://www.sos.mo.gov/business/corporations/forms.asp

Online Filing: https://bsd.sos.mo.gov/loginwelcome.aspx?lobID=1

Email: info@sos.mo.gov


27. Montana Certified Copies

Website: http://sos.mt.gov/Business/index.asp

Name Search: https://biz.sosmt.gov/search/business

Online Filing: https://biz.sosmt.gov/

Email: sosbusiness@mt.gov


28. Nebraska Certified Copies

Website: https://sos.nebraska.gov/

Name Search: https://www.nebraska.gov/sos/corp/corpsearch.cgi?nav=search

Forms: https://sos.nebraska.gov/business-services/forms-and-fee-information

Online Filing: https://www.nebraska.gov/apps-sos-edocs/

Email: sos.corp@nebraska.gov


29. Nevada Certified Copies

Website: https://www.nvsos.gov/sos/home

Name Search: https://esos.nv.gov/EntitySearch/OnlineEntitySearch/

Forms: https://www.nvsos.gov/sos/businesses/commercial-recordings/forms-fees/all-business-forms

Online Filing: https://www.nvsilverflume.gov/home

Email: sosfilings@sos.nv.gov


30. New Hampshire Certified Copies

Website: https://sos.nh.gov/corporation-ucc-securities/corporation/corporation-ucc-and-securities/

Name Search: https://quickstart.sos.nh.gov/online/BusinessInquire

Forms: https://sos.nh.gov/corporation-ucc-securities/corporation/forms-and-fees/

Online Filing: https://quickstart.sos.nh.gov/online/Account/LandingPage

Email: corporate@sos.nh.gov


31. New Jersey Certified Copies

Website: http://www.state.nj.us/treasury

Name Search: https://www.njportal.com/DOR/BusinessNameSearch/Search/BusinessName

Online Filing: https://www.state.nj.us/treasury/revenue/index.shtml


32. New Mexico Certified Copies

Website: https://www.sos.state.nm.us/business-services/

Name Search: https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/BFS/online/corporationbusinesssearch

Online Filing: https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/BFS/online/Account

Email: Business.Services@state.nm.us


33. New York Certified Copies

Website: https://dos.ny.gov/division-corporations-state-records-and-uniform-commercial-code

Name Search: https://apps.dos.ny.gov/publicInquiry/#search

Forms: https://dos.ny.gov/existing-corporations-and-businesses

Online Filing: https://appext20.dos.ny.gov/ecorp_public/f?p=201:17

Email: corporations@dos.ny.gov


34. North Carolina Certified Copies

Website: https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/Business_Registration

Name Search: https://www.sosnc.gov/online_services/search/by_title/_Business_Registration

Forms: https://www.sosnc.gov/forms/by_title/_Business_Registration_Business_Entities_Common

Online Filing: https://www.sosnc.gov/divisions/business_registration/online_business_services


35. North Dakota Certified Copies

Website: http://www.nd.gov/sos/

Name Search: https://firststop.sos.nd.gov/search/business

Forms: http://sos.nd.gov/business/business-services

Online Filing: https://firststop.sos.nd.gov/

Email: sosbir@nd.gov


36. Ohio Certified Copies

Website: https://www.sos.state.oh.us/

Name Search: https://businesssearch.ohiosos.gov/

Forms: https://www.sos.state.oh.us/businesses/filing-forms--fee-schedule/

Online Filing: https://bsportal.ohiosos.gov/(S(2arso2uqrjmc5mfchaooknzj))/default.aspx


37. Oklahoma Certified Copies

Website: https://www.sos.ok.gov/business/default.aspx

Name Search: https://www.sos.ok.gov/corp/corpInquiryFind.aspx

Forms: https://www.sos.ok.gov/business/forms.aspx

Online Filing: https://www.sos.ok.gov/corp/filing.aspx

Email: webmaster@sos.ok.gov


38. Oregon Certified Copies

Website: http://sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/default.aspx

Name Search: https://egov.sos.state.or.us/br/pkg_web_name_srch_inq.login

Forms: http://sos.oregon.gov/business/Pages/business-registration-forms.aspx

Online Filing: https://secure.sos.state.or.us/cbrmanager/index.action#stay

Email: CorporationDivision.SOS@sos.oregon.gov


39. Pennsylvania Certified Copies

Website: http://www.dos.pa.gov/BusinessCharities/Pages/default.aspx

Name Search: https://www.corporations.pa.gov/search/corpsearch

Forms: http://www.dos.pa.gov/BusinessCharities/Business/RegistrationForms/Pages/default.aspx

Online Filing: https://www.corporations.pa.gov/

Email: RA-CORPS@pa.gov


40. Rhode Island Certified Copies

Website: http://sos.ri.gov/business/

Name Search: http://business.sos.ri.gov/CorpWeb/CorpSearch/CorpSearch.aspx

Forms: http://sos.ri.gov/business/filings/corporateforms/

Online Filing: http://sos.ri.gov/divisions/Business-Portal/file-online

Email: corporations@sos.ri.gov


41. South Carolina Certified Copies

Website: https://sos.sc.gov/online-filings/business-entities

Name Search: https://businessfilings.sc.gov/BusinessFiling/Entity/Search

Forms: https://businessfilings.sc.gov/businessfiling/Home/CategorizedForms

Online Filing: https://businessfilings.sc.gov/businessfiling/Home


42. South Dakota Certified Copies

Website: https://sdsos.gov/default.aspx

Name Search: https://sosenterprise.sd.gov/BusinessServices/Business/FilingSearch.aspx

Forms: https://sdsos.gov/business-services/corporations/corporate-forms/default.aspx

Online Filing: https://sosenterprise.sd.gov/BusinessServices/Default.aspx

Email: openforbiz@state.sd.us


43. Tennessee Certified Copies

Website: https://sos.tn.gov/business-services

Name Search: https://tnbear.tn.gov/ECommerce/FilingSearch.aspx

Online Filing: https://tnbear.tn.gov/ecommerce/default.aspx

Email: business.services@tn.gov


44. Texas Certified Copies

Website: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/index.shtml

Name Search: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/sosda/index.shtml

Forms: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/forms_boc.shtml

Online Filing: http://www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/sosda/index.shtml

Email: sosdirect@sos.state.tx.us


45. Utah Certified Copies

Website: https://corporations.utah.gov/index.html

Name Search: https://secure.utah.gov/bes/action/index

Forms: http://corporations.utah.gov/business/dp.html

Online Filing: https://corporations.utah.gov/online_bus_reg.html

Email: corpucc@utah.gov


46. Vermont Certified Copies

Website: https://sos.vermont.gov/corporations/

Name Search: https://bizfilings.vermont.gov/online/BusinessInquire

Forms: https://sos.vermont.gov/corporations/fees/

Online Filing: https://www.vtsosonline.com/online/Account?referrer=AR

Email: SOS.CorporationsSupport@vermont.gov


47. Virginia Certified Copies

Website: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/clk/index.aspx

Name Search: https://cis.scc.virginia.gov/EntitySearch/Index

Forms: http://www.scc.virginia.gov/clk/formfee.aspx

Online Filing: https://cis.scc.virginia.gov/

Email: sccinfo@scc.virginia.gov


48. Washington Certified Copies

Website: http://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/

Name Search: http://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/corps_search.aspx

Forms: http://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/Forms.aspx

Online Filing: http://www.sos.wa.gov/corps/


49. West Virginia Certified Copies

Website: https://sos.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Name Search: https://apps.wv.gov/SOS/BusinessEntitySearch/

Forms: https://sos.wv.gov/Forms/Pages/default.aspx

Online Filing: https://business4.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Email: business@wvsos.com


50. Wisconsin Certified Copies

Website: http://www.wdfi.org/corporations/

Name Search: https://www.wdfi.org/apps/CorpSearch/Search.aspx?

Forms: http://www.wdfi.org/corporations/forms/

Online Filing: https://www.wdfi.org/apps/CorpFormation/

Email: DFICorporations@dfi.wisconsin.gov


51. Wyoming Certified Copies

Website: http://soswy.state.wy.us/Business/Business.aspx

Name Search: https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingSearch.aspx

Forms: http://soswy.state.wy.us/Forms/Default.aspx

Online Filing: https://sos.wyo.gov/Business/OnlineBusinessServices.aspx

Email: business@wyo.gov



 

American Notary Service Center Inc. provides fair, fast, confidential, and professional document notarization and certification services for our clients. We also provide various assistance services to small businesses led by socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Our service helps small businesses obtain federal government contracts, gain a foothold in the market, and boost their sales. For more information, please visit our website at www.usnotarycenter.com, and contact us by calling 202-599-0777 or by email at info@usnotarycenter.com.

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