LANSING – The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs on Wednesday issued a statement warning Michigan corporations of a non-governmental entity trying to collect a $59.99 fee to obtain a certificate of good standing, implying such is required to comply with state business formation requirements, but that’s not true.
“Michigan corporations and limited liability companies are not required by law to receive a certificate of good standing from LARA’s Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau to comply with the state requirements for entity formation,” department Director Steve Arwood said. “Our customers should disregard these deceptive notices as they are not from the State of Michigan.”
Currently, there are no confirmed cases of Michigan businesses affected by this scheme, though the department noted some businesses in Arizona have been. But, the department insists, businesses should continue to be on the alert.
“Unfortunately, these misleading mailings offering assistance for non-required services continue to go out and create confusion,” Arwood said. “Michigan businesses are not legally required to obtain a Certificate of Good Standing to comply with state law.”
If such notices are received, LARA urges businesses to disregard them for all intents and purposes, but keep the notice, mailing envelope and return envelope, and contact the United States Postal Inspections Service to report mail fraud at 877-876-2455. They may also contact the Michigan Office off the Attorney General at P.O. Box 30212, Lansing, MI 48909.
And if a business needs a certificate of good standing, they may contact the Corporations Division directly at (517) 241-6470. Requests for certificates of good standing may also be faxed to (517) 241-0538 using form, CSCL/CD 274. The cost for a certificate of good standing for a corporation or limited liability company is only $10.00.
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