There are plenty of reasons a business might lose its good standing. For instance, it can be involuntarily dissolved for failing to file the required reports and taxes, it can be voluntarily dissolved by the owner themselves or it can simply become inactive.
If your business was involuntarily dissolved, though, you probably only have one question on your mind: "How do I reopen a closed business?" Fortunately, the answer is often a lot more straightforward than you may think.
Here's how to reinstate your business in all 50 states, complete with links to all the resources you need to get started. From reinstating your LLC in Florida and Wyoming to reinstating in California and everywhere in between, we've got you covered.
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Alabama
Form
Domestic LLC Certificate of Reinstatement (reinstatement is not available for corporations)
Agency
Fee
$100
Time to get reinstated
Effective immediately on the date filed with the Secretary of State as per Section 10A-5A-7.10 of the Alabama Code
Also see
Certificate of Compliance via the Alabama Department of Revenue
Alaska
Form
For businesses dissolved less than two years ago, email all required information to Alaska's Corporation Section as per the state's instructions; if your business was dissolved more than two years ago, you'll need to create a new entity
Agency
Fee
Reinstatement fee not stated; $250 to form a new entity
Time to get reinstated
Varies (standard processing time for all filings is 10 to 15 days)
Also see
Arizona
Form
For businesses dissolved within the last six years, contact Arizona's Corporations Division to receive an Application for Reinstatement; if your business was dissolved more than six years ago, you'll need to apply for a new formation
Agency
Fee
$100 to reinstate; $60 to form a for-profit corporation; $50 to form an LLC
Time to get reinstated
Varies (standard processing time for all filings is typically 14 to 16 days)
Also see
Arkansas
Form
Contact the Arkansas Secretary of State's Business and Commercial Services Division to begin the reinstatement process
Agency
Fee
Not stated
Time to get reinstated
Varies (standard processing time for most filings is typically two business days)
Also see
California
Form
Statement of Information and/or Application for Certificate of Revivor and/or Limited Partnership Certificate of Revival
Agency
California Secretary of State (for failure to file a Statement of Information) and/or California Franchise Tax Board (for failure to meet tax requirements)
Fee
$20 to $25 to file a Statement of Information; not stated for Application for Certificate of Revivor; $30 for Limited Partnership Certificate of Revival
Time to get reinstated
Varies (see the Secretary of State's current processing dates and the Franchise Tax Board's timeframes for more information)
Also see
Certificate of Good Standing via the California Secretary of State
Colorado
Form
Articles of Reinstatement (to file online, search for your business' record)
Agency
Fee
$100
Time to get reinstated
Varies (online documents begin processing immediately, while paper documents generally take between seven and 10 days)
Also see
Connecticut
Form
Certificate of Reinstatement; call (860) 509-6003 to request a reinstatement package
Agency
Fee
$120 for LLCs; $160 for nonstock corporations; $300 for stock corporations
Time to get reinstated
Varies (expedited service is only available for online filings)
Also see
Delaware
Form
Agency
Fee
$200 for LLCs and limited partnerships; $169 for corporations; $125 for foreign corporations; $5 for exempt corporations
Time to get reinstated
Varies (contact the office for current wait times)
Also see
Florida
Form
Agency
Fee
$100 for LLCs; $175 for nonprofits; $500 for limited partnerships; $600 for for-profit corporations
Time to get reinstated
Reinstatements paid for digitally are posted in three business days or fewer, while those paid for via check or money order are processed in the order of receipt
Also see
Georgia
Form
Agency
Fee
$250 to file online; $260 to file in paper format
Time to get reinstated
Reinstatements filed online are generally processed within seven to 10 business days; those filed in paper format are generally processed within 15 days of receipt
Also see
Hawaii
Form
Agency
Fee
$10 for partnerships and nonprofits; $25 for LLCs or for-profit corporations
Time to get reinstated
Not stated
Also see
Idaho
Form
Reinstatement Form (only available in paper format)
Agency
Fee
$20 manual processing fee plus any other applicable fees
Time to get reinstated
Not stated; contact the Idaho Secretary of State's Business Services Division for more information
Also see
Illinois
Form
Agency
Fee
$200 for LLCs, corporations and partnerships; $25 for nonprofits
Time to get reinstated
10 business days or fewer
Also see
Indiana
Form
If your business was dissolved within the last five years, you can apply for reinstatement by submitting several forms, including the Affidavit for Reinstatement, Application for Reinstatement and Business Entity Report. If your business was dissolved more than five years ago, you cannot reinstate and must form a new business.
Agency
Fee
$30
Time to get reinstated
Not stated
Also see
Iowa
Form
Agency
Fee
$5
Time to get reinstated
Also see
Kansas
Form
Certificate of Reinstatement (cannot be submitted online; see these additional instructions for more information)
Agency
Fee
$25 for nonprofits; $35 for all other entity types (an $85 penalty fee may also apply if the reason for forfeiture was failure to file an annual report)
Time to get reinstated
Not stated
Also see
Kentucky
Form
Agency
Fee
$100 penalty plus any applicable filing fees
Time to get reinstated
Varies; most documents take between one and three business days to process
Also see
Letter of Good Standing (necessary for reinstatement)
Louisiana
Form
Articles of Reinstatement (search for Louisiana Business Filings and select your business to begin the reinstatement process); if your business was dissolved more than five years ago, you'll need to start a new business entirely.
Agency
Fee
$75 for reinstatement filing, $30 for the most current Annual Report and $30 for each Annual Report between the last Annual Report and reinstatement
Time to get reinstated
Not stated; expedited filing is available
Also see
Maine
Form
Application for Certificate of Revival (separate form for Maine LLCs, corporations and nonprofits); see Maine Legislature Title 13-C, §1426 for instructions
Agency
Fee
$25 for nonprofits; $150 for LLCs and corporations
Time to get reinstated
About 10 to 18 days
Also see
Maryland
Form
Articles of Revival, Articles of Reinstatement or Certificate of Reinstatement, depending on your business entity type; see the Business Entity Status Form for more information and instructions
Agency
Fee
$100
Time to get reinstated
Up to six weeks (faster processing is available for an additional fee)
Also see
Massachusetts
Form
Application for Reinstatement (separate forms for corporations, LLCs and corporations dissolved before July 1, 2004)
Agency
Fee
$100
Time to get reinstated
Up to 90 days from the date and time of official filing
Also see
Certificate of Good Standing-Tax Compliance via the Massachusetts Department of Revenue
Michigan
Form
Certificate of Restoration of Good Standing (LLCs), past due Annual Reports (corporations)
Agency
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau, Corporations Division
Fee
$50 for LLCs; $75 per past due report for corporations; $5 per past due report for nonprofits; additional filing fees may apply
Time to get reinstated
Up to 10 days for document to be reviewed; expedited processing is available
Also see
Minnesota
Form
Annual renewal and reinstatement (see "How to renew or amend your business filing" for detailed instructions)
Agency
Fee
$25 for most entity types; see the fee schedule for exceptions
Time to get reinstated
If filed online, your reinstatement documents can be processed and returned in three to five business days.
Also see
Mississippi
Form
Varies by entity type; see the fee schedule to determine which form you need to file, and perform a business search to begin the reinstatement process
Agency
Fee
$50 for domestic corporations and LLCs; $100 for foreign corporations and LLCs
Time to get reinstated
Not stated
Also see
Missouri
Form
Application for rescission of dissolution (must request a reinstatement package to receive all forms)
Agency
Fee
$55
Time to get reinstated
Not stated
Also see
Montana
Form
Reinstatement forms can be obtained via Montana's ePass system; see the state's instructions for more information
Agency
Fee
Varies by entity type; see the fee schedule for details
Time to get reinstated
Varies (standard processing time for corporate filing documents is two to five days)
Also see
Nebraska
Form
Reinstatement application (available only by request)
Agency
Fee
$30 for domestic LLCs, corporations and nonprofits; see the fee schedule for all other entity types
Time to get reinstated
Not stated
Also see
Nevada
Form
Certificate of Reinstatement (to file online, perform an entity search for your business)
Agency
Fee
$100 for nonprofits; $300 for LLCs and corporations; see the fee schedules for all other entity types
Time to get reinstated
Most online filings will be processed in one day; for paper filings, see the current processing dates
Also see
New Hampshire
Form
Reinstatement application (perform a search for your business to begin the reinstatement process)
Agency
Fee
Varies by entity type; contact the Corporation Division for more information
Time to get reinstated
Varies (the standard processing time for all paper filings is two to three business days)
Also see
New Jersey
Form
Agency
Fee
$75 for LLCs and partnerships; $95 for corporations; $150 for domestic nonprofits; see the reinstatement fee chart for all associated fees
Time to get reinstated
Not stated
Also see
New Mexico
Form
Use the Secretary of State's Online Business Portal to see available reinstatement forms
Agency
Fee
Not stated; contact the Business Services Division for more information
Time to get reinstated
Not stated
Also see
New York
Form
For LLCs, simply file your past due biennial report; for corporations, follow the state's reinstatement instructions
Agency
Fee
$9 to file a past due biennial report; $50 to reinstate a corporation
Time to get reinstated
Varies; expedited handling may be available
Also see
North Carolina
Form
Application for reinstatement (different entities must file different forms; see the state's instructions to find the right one for you)
Agency
Fee
$100, plus any applicable fees for past due annual reports
Time to get reinstated
Five to seven days after receipt
Also see
Letter of Good Standing via the North Carolina Department of Revenue
North Dakota
Form
Reinstatement application (available for one year after involuntary dissolution; see the state's instructions for corporations and LLCs for details)
Agency
Fee
Not stated; contact the Secretary of State's office for more information
Time to get reinstated
Varies; contact the office for current processing times
Also see
Ohio
Form
Agency
Fee
$25 for most entity types; see the fee schedule for a complete list of fees
Time to get reinstated
Varies based on daily production load; expedited filing is available
Also see
Oklahoma
Form
Application for Reinstatement (for LLCs and LPs only)
Agency
Fee
None
Time to get reinstated
Varies depending on filing method; when filed in person after 4:30 PM CST, documents will be processed the following business day
Also see
Oregon
Form
Agency
Fee
$100 for reinstatement, plus any other applicable fees for past due annual reports
Time to get reinstated
Visit the Secretary of State's business services page for current filing waiting times
Also see
Pennsylvania
Form
Statement of Revival (for business and nonprofit corporations only)
Agency
Fee
$70
Time to get reinstated
Varies; most documents are processed in 15 days or less
Also see
Rhode Island
Form
Letter of Good Standing Application for reinstatement purposes (see the state's reinstatement instructions for details)
Agency
Fee
$50
Time to get reinstated
About four weeks
Also see
Certificate of Good Standing (not to be confused with a Letter of Good Standing)
South Carolina
Form
Agency
Fee
$25
Time to get reinstated
Varies; online filings are typically processed in 24 hours, while paper filings are typically processed within two to three business days of receipt
Also see
South Dakota
Form
Application for Reinstatement (not available for foreign entities); all for-profit entities must request a Tax Clearance Certificate prior to reinstatement
Agency
South Dakota Secretary of State, Division of Business Services and South Dakota Department of Revenue
Fee
$30 for nonprofits; $150 for LLCs; $300 for corporations
Time to get reinstated
Not stated
Also see
Tennessee
Form
Agency
Fee
$70 (an additional service fee may apply if filed online)
Time to get reinstated
Not stated
Also see
Texas
Form
Agency
Fee
$75 if your business was terminated involuntarily; $15 if your business was terminated voluntarily; $5 for nonprofits or cooperative associations
Time to get reinstated
Varies; see the Secretary of State's FAQ for current processing times
Also see
Certificate of Account Status via the Comptroller of Public Accounts
Utah
Form
Application for Reinstatement (can be filed either online or by mail); for-profit corporations must also submit a Letter of Good Standing from the Utah State Tax Commission
Agency
Utah Department of Commerce, Division of Corporations and Commercial Code and Utah State Tax Commission
Fee
Time to get reinstated
Varies; the standard processing time for all information requests is three to ten business days
Also see
Vermont
Form
Reinstatement (must be filed online, but can be paid for by mail)
Agency
Fee
$25; see the fee schedule for more information about the fee for each entity type
Time to get reinstated
Not stated
Also see
Virginia
Form
Reinstatement (must be filed within five years of dissolution)
Agency
Fee
$100
Time to get reinstated
Varies; online expedited service available
Also see
Washington
Form
Reinstatement application (must be filed within five years of dissolution)
Agency
Fee
$140 for corporations, LLCs and LPs; $35 for nonprofits
Time to get reinstated
Not stated; expedited filings are typically processed in two business days
Also see
Washington DC
Form
Reinstatement of Domestic Filing Entity (available to file online; see the state's FAQ for more information about the reinstatement process)
Agency
Fee
$300
Time to get reinstated
Varies; in general, online and mail-in filings are processed within 15 days of receipt
Also see
West Virginia
Form
Application for Reinstatement (non-LLC entities must file a separate form) and a Letter of Good Standing from the West Virginia State Tax Department
Agency
Fee
$200 for most entity types
Time to get reinstated
Varies; the standard processing time for all filings is five to 10 business days.
Also see
Wisconsin
Form
Application for reinstatement (only available by request)
Agency
Fee
$100 for most entity types; see the fee schedule for details
Time to get reinstated
Varies; in general, filings are acted on within five business days of receipt
Also see
Wyoming
Form
Reinstatement Form (see the state's video tutorial for help)
Agency
Fee
Time to get reinstated
Varies depending on filing method; documents received via mail are processed within 15 business days; no expedited service is available
Also see
What Does Reinstating a Business Mean?
If you're not entirely sure what business reinstatement is all about, don't worry — it's as simple as taking a business that's been dissolved (in other words, closed) and making it become active again.
But the exact steps you need to take in order to do so vary by state, which is where most entrepreneurs' confusion stems from.
For example, in most states, you need to reinstate an LLC by going through the Secretary of State, but in some, you'll need to reinstate via the Department of Revenue or another government office.
Similarly, some states require a reinstatement fee, while others simply ask that you file all past due documents.
But in most cases, the entire reinstatement process can be boiled down to these steps:
- Fill out the required forms. These can be found on the website of your state's Secretary of State, Division of Corporations, Business Registration Division or other government body.
- File the forms with your state. The names of these forms vary by state and are sometimes called Application for Reinstatement, Certificate of Restoration of Good Standing, Certificate of Reinstatement, etc.
- Pay any necessary fees. Fees can range from $10 all the way up to $300, depending on your state.
- Sit back and wait for your business to be officially reinstated. It could be as quick as 2 days or as long as 90 days.
And if your business is reinstated, but you still need to prove that it's all caught up on its taxes, fees and paperwork, you can do that too. You'll just need a Certificate of Good Standing from your state — in most cases, you can request one online in a matter of minutes.
What Does It Mean to Be In Good Standing?
If a business is in good standing, that means it's fulfilled all its legal obligations — i.e., filed all the necessary paperwork and paid all owed taxes and fees.
In many states, a business can prove it's in good standing by obtaining a Certificate of Good Standing. But in others, that same document may go by a different name, such as Certificate of Status, Certificate of Compliance or Certificate of Existence.
So if you're looking to order a Certificate of Good Standing, be sure you know what it's called in your state to avoid any future confusion.
Why Would a Company Be Dissolved?
Wondering why a company would be dissolved in the first place? There are a number of possible reasons for involuntary dissolution, including if the business:
- Failed to file required reports and forms, such as its annual report
- Failed to pay its taxes and/or file tax returns
- Failed to keep a Registered Agent
A business can also be voluntarily dissolved by its owner. For example, a company owner may choose to dissolve if the business becomes unprofitable, they decide to pursue another venture, there's conflict between co-owners or they're entering retirement.
If you have a business that's been dissolved, either voluntarily or not, that doesn't mean you can't ever open it again. With the reinstatement options explained here, you can get your business back up and running in no time.
Want the most stress-free reinstatement experience possible? Leave the nitty-gritty details to us. Our Reinstatement service is available in most states, and it's beyond convenient. All you need to do is provide some information about you and your business — we'll handle the rest.
Carrie Buchholz-Powers
Carrie Buchholz-Powers is a Colorado-based writer who’s been creating content since 2013. From digital marketing to ecommerce to land conservation, she has experience in a wide range of fields and loves learning about them all. Carrie is fond of history, animals and beauty in equal measure. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, playing video games and exploring Colorado's prairies and mountains with her husband.
