NOTIFICATION: Online payment acceptance will be unavailable in CCFS from 5:00pm July 15th to 8:00pm PDT. If you experience any issues during this timeframe, please try back later. [POSTED 07/11/2025]
Certificates & Certified Copies
Not all record services are available online.
All nonprofits governed under RCW 24 can order an Express Certificate PDF online.
Nonprofits governed by RCW 24.06 have access to all online record services.
For all other nonprofit-related services, as well as records requests for certified copies or certified copies with apostilles, follow our paper submission process below:
Certificate and Certified Copy - Paper Form Submission:
- Email the form (WITHOUT payment information) to [email protected].
- Or print and mail it along with a check to PO Box 40234, Olympia, WA 98504.
Our office offers an electronic PDF Certificate of Existence with our state seal. Certified Copies are physical documents and will be mailed to the address provided on the order form. Certified copies may be requested by another Country, Government Agency, Territory, Tribe, Bank, or State.
Certificate & Certified Copy Forms
Business Records Request
This form is used to order Certificates and/or certified copies for entities registered with the Washington Secretary of State's Office.
| Can you File this Online? | Online Filing Instructions | Mail-In Forms | Filing Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | See Below | Business Records - Request Form (Fillable Form) |
$20 per certified copy or certificate $15 per Apostille $100 per UBI No to expedite filing |
Domestic Partnership / Trademark Records Request
This request Form is used to order a Certified Trademark Copy, Trademark certificate, Domestic Partnership registration copy, certified copy or wallet card replacement.
Specify the transaction requested. If the document requested includes an Apostille certificate for use in another country fill out the Apostille information section of the form
| Can you File this Online? | Online Filing Instructions | Mail-In Forms | Filing Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | See Below | Domestic Partnership / Trademark Records - Request Form (Fillable Form) |
$15 per Apostille *See form for additional filing fees based on the type of request. |
Records Request - Online Instructions
PLEASE NOTE: The “Save” feature is not currently working. Please do not select this option.
The Corporations and Charities Filing System (CCFS) supports both Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers. We recommend using these browsers on a desktop computer or laptop for the best experience. Begin by visiting: https://ccfs.sos.wa.gov/#/
After reaching the page above, login. If you do not already have one, create a free User Account by following the instructions here.
1. Once the account is created and activated, log in to your account.
2. Once logged in, look to the left and find the green vertical navigation bar. Look toward the top to locate the "Order Certificates/Certified Copies" option and click to expand the list of Options. Select the appropriate option depending on your business needs.
- Express PDF Certificate of Existence (Short Form) - $20 – this option provides an electronic Certificate of Existence for the UBI entered on the order form. The PDF will be sent by email to the email address provided on the order form, and a copy will be available in the user’s “Notices and Filed Documents” folder on the account’s Dashboard.
- Certified Copies/Certificates – Cost varies depending on the request – through this option you can order certificates such as the Certificate of Existence, or a duplicate Certificate of Formation, and certified copies of filed records. PDF certificates are sent by email to the email address provided on the order form. Certified copies are physical documents and will be mailed to the address provided on the order form.
3. Enter in your UBI or business name, then click “Search Business”
4. Select the bubble to the left of your business name, then click “Continue”.
5. The RETURN ADDRESS FOR THIS REQUEST is a required field.
6. If “Certified Copies/Certificates” option is selected, select the desired type and number of copies.
7. Once you have made all desired selections click “Continue” and complete the payment process to submit.
Order Type Information
Apostille Certified Copies: If apostille is selected above this section is required to be completed.
Apostille certificates are not valid for use within the Unites States of America, its territories or possessions.
This service is not online, please complete at request form
Certificate of Existence (short form): Also known as a Certificate of Good Standing / Status Certificate.
Certificate of Existence (long form): A certificate of the entity’s entire filing history showing the expiration date.
Certified Copies: A photocopy of the record with a certification stamp on the back of the last page.
Certificate of Fact: Issued by the Washington Secretary of State, this certificate verifies specific facts about domestic or foreign entities. When requesting one, specify the information you need verified. Common examples include:
- Administrative Dissolution or Termination
- Name Change
- Conversion Outside of Washington State
- Delinquency
- Intent to Dissolve
- Merger
For assistance before submitting your request, visit our contact page for contact options for the Records program staff.
Records FAQs & Information
- Certificates VS Certified Copies
-
Certificates are original PDFs issued by our office to highlight a portion of your filing history that may not exist in a single record.
Certified Copies are a physical copy of a record filed with the Office of the Secretary of State that are certified with a wet ink stamp that attests “…the foregoing is a true and accurate copy…”.
- What is an Express Certificate of Existence (COE)?
-
Express PDF Option: If you only need a Good Standing Certificate, the Express PDF option is the best choice. It is instantly available for download from your dashboard, and no additional processing fee applies since the system generates it automatically. The total cost is $20 with no extra charges, as the order does not require manual processing by a staff member.
You also have the option to order a Certificate of Existence through the "Certified Copies/Certificates" section. This service includes an additional $20 processing fee and will be delivered via email within 1–3 business days.
Express PDF Certificates of Existence (Short Form) can only be issued when an entity is in Active status.
If your entity status is terminated, dissolved, or delinquent, please visit our Administrative Dissolution/Termination page for instructions for the business to reactivate before requesting a COE.
All certificates are digitally generated as a PDF, which can be forwarded and printed as needed. There is no type of Certificate of Existence that will be physically issued. As of November 2017, this is the only certificates we issue.
If you need or prefer a physical copy, you may print or forward as needed.