Companies House fees for a company certificate

Published 3 September 2026 · Last updated 4 October 2026 · Official fees checked on GOV.UK 4 October 2026 (Companies House, FCDO)

Companies House charges £22 for a company certificate or certified copy with standard dispatch and £65 for the express service, which dispatches the same working day if you order before 11am (GOV.UK, checked 4 October 2026). Those fees cover the certificate and Royal Mail post only. Any FCDO apostille (£45 paper, £35 e-Apostille), courier, translation or agent handling is extra.

This guide breaks down what each fee covers, how to compare a direct order with an agent, and how to avoid paying twice. UKCOGS is a private agent; our prices are separate from, and include, the official Companies House fee.

The official fees

GOV.UK lists separate, higher fees for orders of incorporation documents, so check the live page if you need the documents filed at formation rather than a company certificate. Companies House last updated its fees on 1 February 2026, according to the GOV.UK change log.

International orders are sent by Royal Mail International post on both services. Companies House is not responsible for courier or legalisation costs after you receive the document.

What the fee buys

The £22 or £65 fee buys one certificate, which can include additional certified facts at no extra charge on the same certificate:

• the summary statement (the “good standing” wording overseas recipients ask for)
• directors’ names, and details such as date of birth or nationality
• secretaries’ names
• the registered office address
• the company’s objects

It does not buy information Companies House cannot certify on a certificate: PSCs, shareholders, shareholdings or the statement of capital.

How to order directly

You can order from Companies House yourself:

1. Use the Find and update company information service, search for the company and order from the “More” tab.
2. Or call the Companies House contact centre on 0303 1234 500.

If the certificate does not arrive, GOV.UK says you must contact Companies House within 28 days of ordering; after that you need to place a new order.

When an agent makes sense

Ordering directly is the cheapest route if you are in the UK, know which certified facts you need and do not need an apostille. An agent adds value when:

• the certificate is for overseas use and needs an apostille or embassy legalisation
• you need a scan quickly while the paper travels
• you are ordering several documents for one recipient
• you want someone to check the register and the recipient’s checklist first

UKCOGS prices, all ex VAT and including the official fee: Certificate of Good Standing £79 standard or £129 express; certified Certificate of Incorporation £49; certified articles £49; company documents pack £249 to £299; filings check £15. Apostille and embassy work is quote-only.

Worked example: direct vs agent

A company needs one apostilled COGS for a bank in Germany.

• Direct: £22 to Companies House, then an FCDO paper apostille at £45 plus return postage or courier, applied for and posted by the director. Total official cost about £73 plus postage, plus the director’s time.
• Through UKCOGS: £79 ex VAT for the COGS (including the £22 fee), plus a quoted price for the apostille stage, which includes the £45 FCDO fee and handling. We scan and send the certificate, track the apostille and return the pack.

Our free cost estimator compares the two routes for your mix of documents.

Official fees for common bundles

Recipients often want more than one document. Because Companies House charges per certificate or certified copy, the official fees add up like this at standard dispatch:

Apostilles are charged per document too, so a three-document pack with separate paper apostilles carries three £45 FCDO fees. The pack builder totals any combination.

Common mistakes

• Paying twice for a missing statement. If accounts are overdue, the certificate will not carry the summary statement. Run the free filings checker first.
• Ordering the wrong facts. Adding directors later means a new certificate and a new fee. Read the checklist first.
• Missing the 11am cut-off. An express order after 11am is dispatched the next working day. See the 11am cut-off.
• Quoting stale apostille fees. The current FCDO e-Apostille fee is £35 per document. See FCDO apostille fees explained.
• Forgetting VAT. Agent prices, including ours, are usually shown ex VAT. Check the checkout total before comparing quotes.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a Certificate of Good Standing from Companies House?

£22 standard or £65 express (GOV.UK, checked 4 October 2026). It is a company certificate with the summary statement added.

Do additional certified facts cost extra?

Not when they are on the same certificate. Directors, secretaries, registered office, objects and the summary statement can all be included for the one fee.

Is express worth the extra £43?

Only when time matters. Express orders placed before 11am are dispatched the same working day; standard orders aim to dispatch within 10 working days.

Does the fee include an apostille?

No. The FCDO charges separately: £45 per document for a standard paper apostille, £35 for an e-Apostille, £40 for the business-only Next-Day service and £100 for Restricted Urgent.

Does the fee include courier?

No. Companies House posts by Royal Mail. Any courier for an apostille return is charged by the FCDO: £6 UK, £32 most of Europe and £42 the rest of the world, per 1.5kg.

Why do agents charge more than £22?

Agent prices include the official fee plus checking, ordering, scanning, tracking and support. UKCOGS shows the official fee inside each price so you can see the split.

Can I get a refund if the certificate is wrong?

Contact Companies House within 28 days if an order goes missing. If the certificate does not match what you asked for, raise it straight away so it can be corrected.