Michigan Form CSCL/CD-560 is the Certificate of Restoration of Good Standing that a Michigan corporation, nonprofit corporation, or limited liability company files with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau, to bring an entity that has lost good standing back into active status. The current version of the form carries a (Rev. 09/15) revision date in the lower-left corner, and you should confirm you have that version before filing by downloading the official CSCL/CD-560 PDF directly from LARA.
If your entity has been automatically dissolved, administratively dissolved, or had its certificate of authority revoked, you cannot legally enter into contracts, sue in Michigan courts, or operate in your business name until the restoration is approved. According to LARA’s published filing volumes, more than 18,000 Michigan business entities lose good standing each year for failing to file annual statements or reports, and the bureau processes thousands of CSCL/CD-560 restoration filings annually to bring those entities back to life.
In this guide, you will learn:
- 📋 What CSCL/CD-560 is, who must file it, and which statute controls each entity type
- 🗂️ Every document, ID number, and back-filing you must gather before you start
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of every box on the form with named-person examples
- 💵 The exact fees, penalties, and back-filings that must accompany the form
- ⚠️ The 10 most common mistakes filers make and how to avoid losing your business name
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Michigan Form CSCL/CD-560 is the single restoration form used across three different acts. A domestic profit corporation uses it to renew its corporate existence under MCL 450.1925 of the Business Corporation Act. A domestic nonprofit corporation uses it under MCL 450.2925 of the Nonprofit Corporation Act. A domestic limited liability company uses it under MCL 450.4925 of the Limited Liability Company Act.
You must file CSCL/CD-560 if your entity was automatically dissolved for failing to file annual statements (LLCs) or annual reports (corporations) for two or more years. You must also file it if LARA administratively dissolved the entity for failing to maintain a resident agent, or if the Michigan Department of Treasury notified LARA that taxes were unpaid and triggered dissolution.
Foreign entities (those formed in another state but registered in Michigan) do not use CSCL/CD-560. They use Form CSCL/CD-572 to restore a revoked certificate of authority instead. If you are unsure of your status, run a free entity search through the LARA Business Entity Search tool and check the line that reads “Status.”
The agency that receives the form is the LARA Corporations Division. The deadline to restore is generous, because Michigan allows restoration “at any time” for LLCs and corporations, but waiting more than 5 years loses your exclusive right to your entity name, and the consequence is that another filer can take it.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Restoration filings get rejected more often than almost any other Michigan filing because the back-paperwork is incomplete. Build a clean checklist before you open the form. Every item below has a reason and a real consequence if you skip it.
- Your LARA-assigned ID number. This is the 6-digit identification number printed on every prior filing, not your federal EIN. Without it, the bureau cannot match the restoration to your entity record and will return the filing.
- Your exact entity name as registered. Punctuation, spacing, and the designator (LLC, L.L.C., Inc., Corp.) must match the original articles. A mismatch causes a “name not found” rejection.
- Every missing annual statement or annual report. LLCs file CSCL/CD-2700; profit corporations file CSCL/CD-2000; nonprofits file CSCL/CD-2000. Missing even one stops the restoration.
- All back fees and late penalties. LARA tallies $25 per missed LLC annual statement, $25 per missed profit corporate report, and a $10 penalty per missed nonprofit report. Underpaying by even one dollar voids the filing.
- The restoration fee itself. $50 for LLCs, $25 for nonprofits, $25 for profit corporations. Pay this separately from the back-filing fees.
- Tax clearance, if dissolved by Treasury. If the Michigan Department of Treasury caused the dissolution, you must obtain a Tax Clearance Request (Form 5156) before LARA will process the restoration.
- Name availability confirmation. If more than 5 years have passed since dissolution, run the LARA name search and, if your name is taken, plan to amend to a new name as part of the restoration.
- Resident agent name and current Michigan street address. A P.O. Box alone is not allowed. The agent must accept service at a physical Michigan address.
- Signature authority. A current officer, member, manager, or authorized agent must sign. A former owner who already sold their interest cannot sign.
- Payment method. Check or money order payable to “State of Michigan,” or a credit card if filing through the Corporations Online Filing System (COFS).
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
Download the official CSCL/CD-560 directly from LARA’s Corporations Forms page so you know you have the most recent revision. The form is a single page, fillable PDF that can also be printed and completed by hand in black ink.
You can also obtain a hard copy by visiting LARA in person at 2501 Woodlake Circle, Okemos, MI 48864, the operational mailing address for Corporations Division, although the legal filing address remains the Lansing P.O. Box listed on the form. Many county business assistance centers and the Michigan SBDC keep printed copies on hand for walk-in clients.
If you plan to file online, you do not download a PDF at all. Instead, log in to COFS using your customer ID and PIN. The system will walk you through the same fields as the paper form, but in a guided online format. First-time users must request a PIN from LARA, which arrives by mail and can take 5 to 7 business days.
A quick note on the revision: LARA periodically updates form revision dates without changing the substance. The (Rev. 09/15) version remains the current accepted form as of this writing. Filing on an older revision triggers a return-for-correction letter that costs you 7 to 10 days.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out CSCL/CD-560 Line by Line
The form has a header block, a body with five numbered items, a signature block, and a preparer/return-to box at the bottom. Walk through each in the order printed on the form.
Header: Identification Number Box (Top Right)
What it asks in plain English. This box wants your LARA-assigned 6-digit ID, not your federal tax ID.
How to answer it. Pull your last filed annual statement, original articles, or a LARA search result. Enter the 6-digit number, with no dashes, no spaces, and no leading letters.
Example. Maria Lopez, member of Lopez Family Bakery LLC, enters 802345678 in the ID box because that is the number printed on her 2019 annual statement.
Nuance or edge case. If your entity was formed before 1972 and the number is shorter, left-pad with zeros so it reads as 6 digits.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers enter their FEIN (a 9-digit IRS number) by habit. The bureau cannot match a FEIN to your record, and the filing is returned within a week.
Misconception. Many filers think the ID number changes when an entity is dissolved. It does not. Your original LARA ID is permanent and follows you through restoration.
Item 1: Entity Name
What it asks in plain English. Print the exact name of your entity as it last appeared in good standing.
How to answer it. Type or print the name in all capital letters or mixed case, exactly as registered, including the designator. Do not abbreviate “Limited Liability Company” if the original articles spelled it out.
Example. Marcus Reed, owner of “Reed Construction, L.L.C.,” writes the name with the commas and periods exactly as filed in 2014.
Nuance or edge case. If your name has been administratively changed (for example, after a merger), use the most recent registered name, not the original one.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers drop the comma before “LLC” or substitute “Inc.” for “Corp.” This is a name mismatch and stops processing.
Misconception. Filers think LARA will “fix” small typos. It will not. Anything but an exact match is treated as a separate entity.
Item 2: Type of Entity (Check the Correct Box)
What it asks in plain English. Tell LARA whether you are a profit corporation, nonprofit corporation, or LLC.
How to answer it. Check exactly one of the three boxes. If your entity is a professional corporation or professional LLC, still check the regular profit or LLC box; the form does not have a separate professional checkbox.
Example. Dr. Aisha Patel, owner of Patel Pediatric Dentistry, P.C., checks the “profit corporation” box because a P.C. is a subtype of profit corporation under the BCA.
Nuance or edge case. A low-profit LLC (L3C) checks the LLC box because the L3C is a Michigan LLC subtype.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers check two boxes “to be safe.” LARA reads two checks as ambiguous and returns the form.
Misconception. Filers believe nonprofit means tax-exempt. It does not. Nonprofit on this form refers only to the Michigan corporate form, regardless of IRS 501(c)(3) status.
Item 3: Date of Automatic or Administrative Dissolution
What it asks in plain English. Enter the date your entity lost good standing, as shown in LARA’s records.
How to answer it. Use MM/DD/YYYY format. Pull the date from your LARA online status page or the dissolution notice mailed to your last-known resident agent address.
Example. Janet Brooks, manager of Brooks Marketing LLC, enters 07/15/2023 because LARA’s records show automatic dissolution on that date.
Nuance or edge case. If you do not know the date, leave it blank and call LARA at (517) 241-6470; do not guess. A wrong date is treated as a false statement.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers enter the date they stopped operating rather than the date LARA dissolved the entity. The dates are usually different by 6 to 24 months.
Misconception. Filers think the dissolution date triggers tax obligations. It does not change your federal or state tax timeline; it only marks the date Michigan stopped recognizing the entity.
Item 4: Statement of Cause Cured
What it asks in plain English. This box asks you to confirm that whatever caused the dissolution has been fixed.
How to answer it. Read the pre-printed statement on the form. By signing the form later, you certify the cause has been cured. Make sure every missing annual statement is attached and every fee is paid in full before signing.
Example. Carlos Mendoza, sole member of Mendoza Auto Repair LLC, attaches three missing annual statements (2022, 2023, 2024) plus the matching $75 in back fees so the cause is truly cured before signing.
Nuance or edge case. If dissolution was caused by Treasury (unpaid taxes), the cure also requires a tax clearance certificate from the Michigan Department of Treasury, which you attach to the CSCL/CD-560.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers sign the cure statement before paying back fees, hoping LARA will invoice them. LARA does not invoice; the filing is returned without action.
Misconception. Filers think a payment plan is allowed for back fees. It is not. All back fees must be paid in a single transaction with the restoration.
Item 5: Effective Date Election (Optional)
What it asks in plain English. This box lets you delay the effective date of restoration up to 90 days after filing.
How to answer it. Most filers leave this blank, which makes the restoration effective immediately on filing. If you have a contract that needs to start on a specific day, enter that future date in MM/DD/YYYY format.
Example. Reed Construction, L.L.C. leaves Item 5 blank because Marcus Reed wants to bid on a city project the moment LARA approves the restoration.
Nuance or edge case. If you enter a date more than 90 days out, LARA will reject the form. Ninety days is the statutory ceiling under MCL 450.4104.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers enter a past date, hoping to backdate the restoration. Michigan does not allow backdating; the filing is returned.
Misconception. Filers believe the restoration retroactively cures contracts signed during dissolution. It does not. Any contract signed while dissolved may be voidable by the other party.
Signature Block: Authorized Person
What it asks in plain English. A current officer, member, manager, or authorized agent signs on behalf of the entity.
How to answer it. Sign in ink (paper filing) or apply your e-signature (COFS). Print your name and title beneath the signature line. The capacity must match a role the entity recognized at the time of dissolution or after restoration.
Example. Maria Lopez signs as “Member” of Lopez Family Bakery LLC because she has been a member since formation in 2018.
Nuance or edge case. A former shareholder who sold all shares before dissolution cannot sign. The signer must hold a current authorizing role.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers have an attorney sign without listing “as authorized agent.” Without the capacity label, LARA cannot verify authority and rejects the filing.
Misconception. Filers think notarization is required. It is not. Michigan does not require notarization on CSCL/CD-560.
Preparer / Return-To Box (Bottom of Form)
What it asks in plain English. Tell LARA where to mail the stamped, approved certificate.
How to answer it. Enter the name and full street address of the person who should receive the approved restoration. This can be the resident agent, the filer, or a law firm.
Example. Janet Brooks lists her own home address because she wants the approved certificate mailed directly to her, not to her registered agent service.
Nuance or edge case. If you file online through COFS, the approved certificate is delivered as a PDF download, and this box is repurposed for an email address.
Common mistake and consequence. Filers leave this blank. LARA then mails the certificate to the resident agent address on file, which may be outdated, and the certificate is lost in the mail.
Misconception. Filers think the return-to box changes their resident agent address. It does not. Use Form CSCL/CD-520 to change a resident agent.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three of the most common restoration fact patterns. Each follows one named filer through the form.
Scenario 1 — Maria Lopez restores Lopez Family Bakery LLC after missing two annual statements.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Identification Number | 802345678 |
| Item 1 — Entity Name | Lopez Family Bakery LLC |
| Item 2 — Type of Entity | Checks the LLC box |
| Item 3 — Date of Dissolution | 05/15/2024 |
| Item 4 — Cause Cured | Attaches 2023 and 2024 annual statements plus $50 in back fees |
| Item 5 — Effective Date | Left blank (immediate) |
| Restoration Fee | $50 check payable to State of Michigan |
| Signature Block | Maria Lopez, Member |
| Return-To Box | Maria Lopez, 414 Elm Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
Scenario 2 — Marcus Reed restores Reed Construction, Inc. after a 6-year lapse where another company has reserved his name.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Identification Number | 651112233 |
| Item 1 — Entity Name | Reed Construction Services, Inc. (new name after amendment) |
| Item 2 — Type of Entity | Checks the profit corporation box |
| Item 3 — Date of Dissolution | 07/01/2019 |
| Item 4 — Cause Cured | Attaches 6 missing annual reports, $150 in back fees, and a CSCL/CD-510 amendment |
| Item 5 — Effective Date | 09/01/2026 (future date for new contract start) |
| Restoration Fee | $25 plus $10 amendment fee |
| Signature Block | Marcus Reed, President |
| Return-To Box | Reed Law Group, 100 Monroe Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
Scenario 3 — Dr. Aisha Patel restores Patel Family Foundation, a nonprofit dissolved by Treasury for unpaid use tax.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Identification Number | 733445566 |
| Item 1 — Entity Name | Patel Family Foundation |
| Item 2 — Type of Entity | Checks the nonprofit corporation box |
| Item 3 — Date of Dissolution | 11/30/2022 |
| Item 4 — Cause Cured | Attaches Tax Clearance Certificate (Form 5156) and 3 missing annual reports |
| Item 5 — Effective Date | Left blank (immediate) |
| Restoration Fee | $25 plus $30 in back report fees |
| Signature Block | Aisha Patel, MD, President |
| Return-To Box | Patel Family Foundation, 222 Lake Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 |
How to File the Completed Form
LARA accepts CSCL/CD-560 through four channels. Choose the one that matches your timeline and comfort with online systems.
Mail. Send the signed original, all back annual statements, and a single check covering all fees to Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations, Securities & Commercial Licensing Bureau, Corporations Division, P.O. Box 30054, Lansing, MI 48909. Standard processing runs 10 to 15 business days. Keep a copy of the form and a copy of the cashed check as proof of filing.
In Person. Walk in to 2501 Woodlake Circle, Okemos, MI 48864, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Pay an additional $50 expedited fee for 24-hour processing or $100 for same-day processing. Cash, check, money order, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are all accepted. Walk out with a date-stamped receipt as proof of filing.
Fax via MICH-ELF. If you have a MICH-ELF account, fax the signed form to (517) 241-0538. The fee is charged to the MICH-ELF account on file. Processing matches mail timing of 10 to 15 business days. Your fax confirmation page is the proof of filing.
Online via COFS. Log in to the Corporations Online Filing System, select your entity, and choose “File Restoration.” Upload missing annual statements as PDFs and pay by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. Processing is typically 2 to 5 business days, and the approved certificate downloads as a PDF. The PDF receipt is your proof of filing.
What Happens After You File
Once LARA processes the restoration, the bureau issues a stamped Certificate of Restoration of Good Standing. Your entity status updates in the LARA database from “automatically dissolved” or “administratively dissolved” back to “active.” Banks, vendors, and licensing boards can verify this online within 24 hours of approval.
The restoration relates back to the date of dissolution for some purposes, meaning the entity is treated as if it never lost good standing for limited liability and tax-continuity purposes. However, third-party rights that vested during dissolution (such as a creditor’s right to pierce or another filer’s name reservation) generally survive the restoration.
You should immediately update your IRS records, your bank, your insurance carrier, and any licensing agency that may have suspended privileges during dissolution. Some agencies, like the Michigan Department of Treasury and the Unemployment Insurance Agency, do not automatically receive LARA’s restoration data and need a copy of the certificate.
If you do not receive the stamped certificate within 20 business days of mail filing, call LARA at (517) 241-6470 with your ID number and date of filing. Filings sometimes get held for missing items, and the bureau usually mails a deficiency letter, but those letters can be lost.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Entering your FEIN instead of your LARA ID. The bureau cannot match a federal number, and the filing is returned within a week.
- Misspelling the entity name. Even one missing comma triggers a “name mismatch” rejection.
- Checking two entity-type boxes. LARA reads it as ambiguous and rejects the form.
- Guessing the dissolution date. A wrong date is treated as a false statement and can void the filing.
- Forgetting to attach back annual statements. The restoration cannot be approved without them.
- Underpaying back fees by $1 or more. Any shortfall voids the entire submission.
- Skipping the Treasury tax clearance. If Treasury caused the dissolution, restoration without clearance is impossible.
- Backdating Item 5. Michigan never allows backdated effective dates.
- Letting a former owner sign. A signer without current authority is rejected.
- Leaving the return-to box blank. Your approved certificate may be lost in the mail.
- Filing on an outdated form revision. LARA rejects superseded versions.
- Using a P.O. Box for the resident agent. Michigan requires a physical street address for service of process.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do download the latest CSCL/CD-560 PDF right before you file, because revisions happen.
- Do use black ink on paper filings, because LARA scans documents and other colors do not scan cleanly.
- Do run the LARA name search before signing, because a taken name forces an amendment.
- Do pay all fees in one check or one card transaction, because partial payments are rejected.
- Do keep a copy of every page you submit, because LARA does not return originals.
- Do request expedited service if you have a contract or loan deadline, because standard processing can stretch to three weeks.
Don’ts
- Don’t assume your registered agent will sign for you; they have no statutory authority to do so.
- Don’t file during the last week of December, because LARA’s holiday backlog adds 5 to 7 days.
- Don’t mix back-fee checks with the restoration check; one combined check is cleaner.
- Don’t forget to update your IRS records after restoration, because the IRS does not see LARA data.
- Don’t sign before you confirm every missing annual statement is attached.
- Don’t file by mail if your deadline is fewer than 15 business days away; use COFS or in-person expedited.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Filing Pro Se (On Your Own)
Pros: – Saves $300 to $1,500 in attorney or filing-service fees – Forces you to learn your entity’s compliance calendar – Faster start time because you do not wait for an engagement letter – Direct control over signature timing and payment method – Builds a relationship with LARA’s customer service line
Cons: – Higher rejection rate for first-time filers – Easy to miss the Treasury clearance step – No professional review of the back-filing math – Mistakes can cost you your entity name if 5 years have passed – No malpractice insurance if a missed filing causes liability gaps
Filing With Help (Attorney or Service)
Pros: – Professional review of every back-filing – Faster turnaround through e-filing accounts – Liability coverage if a mistake harms your business – Coordinated handling of name reservation and amendment – Direct lines into LARA from registered agent services
Cons: – Costs $300 to $1,500 on top of LARA fees – Some services upsell unnecessary products – You still must gather and provide all source documents – Less personal familiarity with your compliance history – Adds an intermediary that can slow communication
Filing by Mail vs. Filing Online
| Filing Channel | Key Differences |
|---|---|
| By Mail | Slower (10–15 business days), check or money order only, original signature required, paper proof of filing |
| Online via COFS | Faster (2–5 business days), credit card payment, e-signature accepted, PDF certificate delivered, requires LARA-issued PIN |
Key Entities That Interact With CSCL/CD-560
The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs houses the Corporations Division and is the primary recipient of the form. The Michigan Department of Treasury issues the tax clearance certificate when dissolution is tax-driven. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency often suspends employer accounts during dissolution and needs a copy of the certificate to reinstate them. The Internal Revenue Service does not automatically learn of state restorations and may need a written notice. Finally, the Michigan Legislature maintains the controlling statutes — the Business Corporation Act, the Nonprofit Corporation Act, and the Limited Liability Company Act — that authorize this form.
FAQs
Can I file CSCL/CD-560 if my LLC has been dissolved for more than 5 years?
Yes. Michigan allows restoration at any time, but if the 5-year window has passed, your name may no longer be available, and you may need to amend to a new name during restoration.
Do I need a tax clearance certificate to restore my entity?
No. A tax clearance is only required when the Michigan Department of Treasury caused the dissolution; routine annual-report dissolutions do not need one.
Can I file Form CSCL/CD-560 online?
Yes. You can file through the Corporations Online Filing System (COFS), and processing typically completes within 2 to 5 business days, faster than mail filings.
Do I write my LARA ID number or my FEIN in the identification box?
No. Never use your FEIN. The identification box on CSCL/CD-560 wants only the 6-digit LARA-assigned ID printed on prior filings and search results.
Should I check both the LLC box and the corporation box if I’m a PLLC?
No. A PLLC checks only the LLC box because under Michigan law a professional limited liability company is a subtype of LLC, not a separate category.
Can I leave Item 5 (effective date) blank?
Yes. Leaving it blank makes the restoration effective immediately upon filing, which is what most filers want and the most common entry on the form.
Does my registered agent have to sign Form CSCL/CD-560?
No. A registered agent has no signing authority. Only a current officer, member, manager, or authorized agent of the entity may sign the restoration form.
Will LARA accept a payment plan for back annual statement fees?
No. All back fees, penalties, and the restoration fee must be paid in full as a single transaction; LARA does not invoice or accept installments.
Is notarization required on CSCL/CD-560?
No. Michigan does not require notarization on the restoration form, although the signature must be the original (or e-signature on COFS) of an authorized person.
Can I backdate Item 5 to cover contracts signed during dissolution?
No. Michigan never allows backdated effective dates, and contracts signed during dissolution remain potentially voidable regardless of restoration.
What happens if I write the wrong dissolution date in Item 3?
No. A wrong date is treated as a false statement under penalty of perjury and can void the filing or expose the signer to liability under Michigan law.
Do I file CSCL/CD-560 if my entity is a foreign LLC registered in Michigan?
No. Foreign entities use Form CSCL/CD-572 to restore a revoked certificate of authority; CSCL/CD-560 is only for domestic Michigan entities.
Can my attorney sign as “authorized agent” on the signature line?
Yes. An attorney with written authority can sign as authorized agent, but the capacity label “Authorized Agent” must appear next to the printed name.
Does restoration automatically reinstate my Michigan sales-tax license?
No. The Michigan Department of Treasury maintains tax licenses separately, and you must contact Treasury to reinstate any suspended sales, use, or withholding licenses.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-2000 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-2700 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-500 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-502 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-541 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form CSCL/CD-700 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Michigan Form PC 570 (w/Examples) + FAQs