Updated September 29, 2026
If a bank, lender, or business partner asks for a Texas certificate of good standing, first confirm which document it needs. An SOS Certificate of Fact–Status provides official evidence of an entity’s existence or authority to transact business in Texas. A Comptroller certificate of account status concerns franchise tax matters. They are different documents, even when someone informally calls either one a certificate of good standing. The Secretary of State explains the distinction here.
For an SOS Certificate of Fact–Status, online ordering now takes place in SOSPortal, which replaced SOSDirect and SOSUpload on September 29, 2026.
How to order a Certificate of Fact–Status in SOSPortal
Have the entity’s legal name and, if available, its Secretary of State file number ready. Confirm the requesting institution’s document and date requirements before paying.
- Open the official SOSPortal entry page. Sign in with an SOSPortal account. If you only used SOSDirect before, follow the state’s account setup guide.
- Choose Search & Order Records, then New Search. Review and pay the search charge when prompted.
- Select Business Filings, search for the entity, and open the correct record using its file number.
- Select Order Copies & Certificates. Choose Certificate of Fact and the applicable fact type for the status certificate you need. Review the order carefully; a plain copy of a formation document is a different item.
- Complete checkout and retain the confirmation.
- To download an issued document, open its Order Number in the orders list, then use the file icon.
The state’s Business Filings Guide illustrates the ordering and download workflow. If you are stuck at login, see our SOSPortal access and troubleshooting guide.
What does it cost?
The state’s portal guide displays $15 for each Certificate of Fact fact type. The business filings page separately lists a $1 search fee. Additional items and applicable payment charges can change the checkout total. Review that total before paying rather than assuming $15 covers the entire transaction.
Can I order without using the portal?
The Secretary of State’s Copies and Certificates page also lists these options:
- Email corpcert@sos.texas.gov for certificate requests.
- Mail the Certifying Team, Secretary of State, P.O. Box 13697, Austin, Texas 78711-3697.
Ask the office about payment and delivery arrangements for your request. Do not assume a mailed or emailed request will meet a transaction deadline without confirming the timing.
SOS status versus franchise tax account status
The SOS certificate identifies the entity’s status, current legal name, and formation or registration date. The Comptroller’s Franchise Tax Account Status Search addresses a different set of records. A certificate from one agency should not be treated as a substitute for whatever the other agency or the requesting institution requires.
When a request simply says “good standing,” ask: Which issuing agency? Which document? How recently must it have been issued? Is an electronic copy acceptable? Answering those questions can avoid ordering the wrong item.
What if there is a problem with my business’s status?
Ordering a certificate does not correct an entity’s record. If a search reveals a status problem, identify its cause before submitting additional filings or paying for repeat orders. Check the relevant agency’s records and notices, and confirm what the requesting institution needs.
The steps to address a franchise tax issue, an SOS filing deficiency, or a terminated entity can differ. For a pending loan, contract, or closing, tell your attorney both the reported status and the deadline so the legal work can be assessed.
Common certificate questions
Is this the same as a Certificate of Formation?
No. A formation document and a certificate reporting an entity’s status serve different purposes. Confirm which document was requested before selecting an order.
Does buying a certificate keep my business in good standing?
No. A certificate reports information; purchasing one does not satisfy outstanding compliance obligations or change the underlying record.
Can I use an older certificate?
Ask the recipient. A lender or transaction partner may require a certificate issued within a particular period. Do not assume a prior copy satisfies its requirements.
What if I cannot find the order or download?
Check the orders list and your payment confirmation. If the problem continues, contact the state using the certificate contact above. Keep the order information available and avoid placing a duplicate order until you know what happened to the first one.
Help with a filing or compliance issue
If your certificate request reveals a legal or compliance problem, request a business consultation with Massingill. Tell us which document was requested, the entity involved, and the deadline. We can assess the work needed and explain the proposed scope and fee.
For a new entity, see our business formation services. For portal access alone, start with the state’s account resources linked above.
Joshua Massingill
Joshua Massingill is an attorney practicing in Austin, Texas. He serves on the Texas State Bar’s Law Practice Management Committee, the Leander Educational Excellence Foundation (LEEF) Board of Directors, and the Success-Werx Board of Advisors. He mentors young entrepreneurs in Leander ISD’s INCubatorEDU program and is active in his church.