Current articles vs original 2006 articles when apostilling

28 October 2026

“Articles” can mean the company’s current constitutional document or the articles adopted at incorporation under the Companies Act 2006. When an overseas recipient asks for apostilled articles, establish which version it means before ordering or certifying anything.

This Advice Centre guide is practical document information, not legal advice, an immigration opinion, a banking decision or a promise of foreign acceptance. Ask the named recipient for its current written checklist before ordering.

Short answer

Current articles show the constitution as amended or restated at the relevant point. Original 2006 articles show the document adopted at formation, which may no longer describe the company’s live rules. Neither version should be silently substituted for the other. Ask whether the recipient is checking current signing powers, historic formation or a specific clause, then confirm whether it accepts a Companies House copy, certified copy or solicitor-certified copy for legalisation.

Why the two versions differ

A company may amend articles after incorporation or adopt bespoke provisions. The original 2006 articles can therefore be useful for historical evidence but may be incomplete for a current transaction. Current articles may be an amended, restated or consolidated version. The document date and status should be clear in the pack.

Match the document to the question

If a bank wants to know who can sign now, it may need current articles plus a board resolution or other authority evidence. If a registrar is reconstructing formation, it may ask for original 2006 articles. Ask for the exact clause or purpose where possible. A COGS is not a replacement for either set of articles because it does not reproduce constitutional rules.

Certification before apostille

The legalisation route depends on how articles are issued and certified. An ordinary downloaded copy may not meet the recipient’s standard. The authority may require a Companies House certified copy or solicitor/notary certification before apostille. Never add a signature, stamp or certification yourself; use the route confirmed by the recipient.

Keep amendments visible

If current articles incorporate amendments, label them as current and retain relevant filing or adoption evidence if requested. Do not merge historic and current documents into one file without explaining the sequence. A clear index helps an overseas reviewer see which document answers which question.

Practical checklist

• Ask whether the recipient needs current or original 2006 articles.

• Identify the clause or purpose being checked.

• Confirm acceptable copy and certification format.

• Check apostille, translation and delivery requirements.

• Label historic and current documents separately.

• Keep a COGS separate as status evidence rather than constitutional evidence.

Official fees and sources

Check the live GOV.UK guidance on ordering certified copies and certificates from Companies House before ordering. The current working figures for this batch are £22 for a standard Companies House certificate and £65 for a same-day certificate. These are official charges, not an agent’s full service price. Where legalisation is needed, the live GOV.UK document legalisation guidance lists £45 for a paper apostille, £35 for an e-Apostille, £40 for Next-Day and £100 for Urgent/Restricted Urgent where the relevant conditions apply. Certification, translation, courier, postage and any later embassy stage can be separate. UKCOGS does not claim FCDO partner status; use current official terms when describing any service.

Freshness is a recipient rule

There is no universal 90-day legal expiry for every Certificate of Good Standing. About 90 days is a common recipient habit, but a bank, authority, registrar or clerk may specify 30, 60, 180 days or a document issued after a particular filing. An apostille authenticates the relevant signature, seal or status; it does not refresh company information. Check the recipient’s written rule and the live Companies House record before presentation.

Questions to settle before payment

Ask the receiving organisation to confirm the exact document title, the legal entity, the maximum document age and the accepted delivery format. Ask whether it wants an original, a Companies House certified copy, a solicitor-certified copy or an electronic file. If the document will be used outside the UK, ask whether an apostille is enough or whether translation, embassy legalisation or local filing follows. Put the reply in the order file; a short written answer is more useful than an assumption based on a similar transaction. Also check the practical hand-offs: who will receive the certificate, whether a portal accepts the original electronic file, whether paper will be requested later and whether the courier address differs from the registered office. Keep tracking information and delivery confirmation with the final pack.

Keep the scope clear

A company certificate is one piece of evidence. It should not be described as a guarantee of incorporation history, ownership, financial health, tax compliance, authority to sign or permission to trade unless the document and recipient specifically establish that point. If a reviewer asks a question the certificate cannot answer, add the separate evidence it requests or obtain professional advice. Clear wording protects the client from relying on a document for a purpose it was never designed to meet.

Frequently asked questions

Are original 2006 articles still valid?

They may be historically relevant, but later amendments may mean they are not the current constitution.

Can a COGS replace articles?

No. A COGS and articles serve different evidential purposes.

Do articles always need an apostille?

No. The recipient decides whether legalisation is needed.

Can I send a Companies House download?

Only if the recipient confirms that an uncertified copy is acceptable.

Should current articles include amendments?

Use the current or consolidated version requested and label historic documents clearly.

UKCOGS can help coordinate the relevant document route. See the Certificate of Good Standing service, apostille and legalisation information, order page or request a quote. Service prices and delivery times are separate from official fees, and the receiving organisation makes its own decision.