What Is a Certified Copy of Articles?
Plain-language explainer. For the official state fee in every U.S. jurisdiction, see the Certified Copy of Articles Fees by State matrix. Not legal advice.
Short answer
A certified copy of articles is an official, state-certified reproduction of your entity's formation document. The state confirms in writing that the copy matches what is on file, which is what makes it acceptable to banks, lenders, and other states.
What it is used for
Typical requesters include banks opening accounts, lenders and investors performing due diligence, and other states during foreign qualification, which often want a certified copy of the home-state formation document. It proves not just that the entity exists, but exactly what was filed to create it.
Certified copy vs. Certificate of Good Standing
They are often confused. A certified copy reproduces the underlying filed document; a Certificate of Good Standing is a brief statement that the entity is active and compliant. A requester may ask for either or both.
What it costs
States price certified copies differently — many use a base fee plus a per-page charge, so cost scales with document length. The per-state fee and any per-page structure are in the certified-copy fee matrix.
Not legal advice
Whether a requester needs a certified copy, a Certificate of Good Standing, or both is situation-specific. Confirm with the requesting party and the state.
See also: Certified Copy of Articles Fees (matrix) · What is a Certificate of Good Standing?
Frequently asked questions
What is a certified copy of articles?
It is an official copy of your entity's formation document (articles of organization or incorporation), stamped or certified by the state as a true and exact copy of what is on file.
How is it different from a Certificate of Good Standing?
A certified copy reproduces the actual filed document; a Certificate of Good Standing is a short statement that the entity exists and is compliant. Requesters sometimes want both.
Why do some states charge per page?
Many states set a base certification fee plus a per-page charge, so a longer document costs more. The per-page structure is noted per state in the fee matrix where it applies.
Who asks for one?
Commonly banks, lenders, investors during due diligence, and other states during foreign qualification.
Go deeper with source-backed research
Explore methodology, datasets, and related matrices cited on this page.