This is a well-established document in the case of companies registered in America and the UK and its former territories. It is usually issued by the company registrar in the given jurisdiction. This is the document which confirms that the company has not been struck off, and does not owe any tax or duties. The content varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, depending on the information which is available to the public in the jurisdiction of incorporation. The banks generally ask for proof of existence of the company when the formation documents are not fresh, which means that the company was formed 1, 3, 6 or 12 months earlier. Obviously a company which has not paid its annual fees, fees for its registered office and agent and its annual tax/duty cannot receive a Certificate of Good Standing.