Alaska has ongoing compliance requirements for registered businesses. This helps ensure that information on file with the state is up to date and businesses are making an active effort to comply with regulations. Alaska businesses in good standing who are current with required filings may order a certificate of compliance, known as a certificate of good standing in other states.
Here's what the certificate of compliance means, how to order one, what it costs, why you might need one, and what to do if your business isn't currently eligible.
What is a certificate of good standing?
A certificate of good standing is a document that certifies that your company is correctly registered with the state, is up to date on all state registration fees and filings, and is legally permitted to engage in business activities. In some states, including Alaska, this document is called a certificate of compliance, but other states may use the name certificate of status or certificate of existence.
What information appears on an Alaska certificate of compliance?
The Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing (DCBPL) issues the certificate. It typically includes the following information:
- Entity name. The exact legal name on file with the DCBPL.
- Entity type. Whether your entity is an LLC, corporation, limited partnership, or other registered structure.
- Formation date. The date the business entity's formation document was filed.
- Biennial report compliance status. Verification that all biennial reports have been filed as of the date of issuance.
- State seal. Official authentication from the Commissioner of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
Note: The certificate only certifies that a business is up to date on filings. It does not convey any information about a business’ financial circumstances.
How to get a certificate of compliance in Alaska
There are two ways to get a certificate of compliance: Order it online through the DCBPL's portal for immediate results, or submit a request by mail.
Ordering online through the Alaska DCBPL portal
To order your certificate online, carefully read the instructions on the DCBPL’s website. Then, proceed to the certificate of compliance ordering page and enter your business entity name and number. You’ll be prompted to pay the $10 fee, and your certificate will be available for immediate download.
Because the certificate reflects your standing status at the moment it's issued, request it as closely as possible to the date you’ll need it.
Requesting an Alaska certificate of compliance by mail
To request by mail, submit a copy request form, which you can download from the forms page. Note that the form can be used to request copies of a variety of business documents on file with the state, so be sure to check off the exact document(s) you need.
The certificate of good standing costs $10. The form includes a second page for writing out your credit card information. When you’ve finished filling everything out, you can mail or fax the form to the address listed at the top of the document.
For security reasons, do not email filings, payment, or other confidential information.
Allow 10 to 15 business days for processing from March to September, and 3+ weeks for processing from October to February.\
How to check whether your Alaska business is in good standing
You can check your entity's status for free, with no account required, through the DCBPL’s online database.
If a biennial report is due or your entity shows any status other than "Active/Good Standing," resolve that first before ordering anything. You’ll only be issued a certificate of compliance if your business is confirmed to be in good standing with the state.
Common reasons an Alaska LLC or corporation is not in good standing
Loss of your business’ good standing status in Alaska means the DCBPL can't issue a certificate of compliance. Left unresolved, the underlying issues could lead to fees, legal liability, or the involuntary dissolution of your business. Most businesses end up in this situation for entirely preventable reasons:
- Failure to file an initial biennial report after formation. Newly formed Alaska LLCs must file their first biennial report within six months of formation.
- Failure to file biennial reports on time. Alaska requires most business entities to continue to file a biennial report every two years.
- Failure to maintain a registered agent. Every Alaska business entity must keep a valid registered agent with a physical street address in Alaska on file with the DCBPL at all times.
- Failure to update registered agent or office information. Businesses must notify the state of registered agent and registered office changes using a statement of change form within 30 days of the change. This information can't be updated through biennial reports.
- Failure to report changes in officers, directors, or significant shareholders. A corporation could be administratively dissolved if it is more than 90 days delinquent in filing notice of a change of an officer, director, alien affiliate, or five percent shareholder.
Loss of good standing compounds quickly. Any of the above could lead to administrative dissolution, which formally ends your entity's authority to operate in Alaska. It’s better, easier, and cheaper to stay compliant.
How to restore good standing with the Alaska DCBPL
The path forward depends on where things stand with the DCBPL and whether your business is delinquent or has already been dissolved.
For example, if your business is delinquent due to an overdue biennial report, you can file the report and pay the late fee. Once all reports are filed and fees paid, check the corporations database to confirm your status returns to "Active/Good Standing," then order your certificate of compliance.
If your business was involuntarily dissolved less than two years ago, reinstatement may be possible. You can send a brief reinstatement request to the department by email. The required forms and instructions may vary depending on your situation, but typically this involves filing any missing documents and paying a reinstatement fee. You may also need to check that your business name is still available.
For more information about reinstatement, review our guide to reinstating an LLC in Alaska.
Get your Alaska certificate of compliance with LegalZoom
If you'd rather not deal with the paperwork yourself, LegalZoom can handle everything on your behalf. We’ve helped millions of businesses with formation and compliance filings, and our certificate of good standing service is specifically designed as a simple way to easily request this document. If you need to resolve bad standing or reinstate your business before you can get your certificate, consider consulting our reinstatement and compliance management service and leaving your ongoing compliance filings to one of our experienced business managers.
Alaska certificate of compliance FAQs
What is the difference between a domestic and foreign entity certificate of compliance in Alaska?
The certificate of compliance is the same document for both domestic entities (formed in Alaska) and foreign entities (formed elsewhere and registered to do business in Alaska). Both confirm compliance with Alaska's biennial report requirements.
Note that the certificate of compliance only confirms good standing in Alaska. It does not confer any information about the business’ standing in other states, including a foreign entity’s home state.
How long is an Alaska certificate of compliance valid?
An Alaska certificate of compliance doesn't carry a printed expiration date. That said, most lenders and state filing offices treat it as current only for 30 to 90 days from the date of issuance. Request yours as close as possible to the date you need it.
Does the Alaska Bar Association certificate of good standing apply to my business?
No. The Alaska Bar Association's certificate applies only to licensed attorneys. If a bank, lender, or another state's filing office has asked for an Alaska good standing certificate for your LLC or corporation, order a certificate of compliance from the DCBPL.
Is a certificate of compliance the same as a certificate of good standing in Alaska?
Yes. If a bank, lender, investor, or another state's filing office asks for a "certificate of good standing" for your Alaska business, a certificate of compliance from the DCBPL is the correct document to provide.
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