Companies House vs FCDO explained

Published 25 March 2026 · Last updated 4 October 2026 · Official fees checked on GOV.UK 4 October 2026 (Companies House, FCDO)

Companies House is the UK registrar of companies. It issues company certificates, including the Certificate of Good Standing, and certified copies of filed documents. The FCDO Legalisation Office (part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) does not issue company documents. It checks the signature or seal on a UK public document and, if it matches its records, attaches an apostille so the document can be used abroad. You go to Companies House first, then the FCDO.

This guide explains the two roles, their fees and the order in which to use them. UKCOGS is a private agent; we are neither Companies House nor the FCDO, and we do not claim FCDO partner status.

What Companies House does

Companies House keeps the public register for UK companies and LLPs. For document orders it:

• issues company certificates, which can include the summary statement (the “good standing” wording), directors, secretaries, registered office and objects
• issues certified copies of documents on the register, such as the Certificate of Incorporation, articles of association or a confirmation statement
• charges £22 for standard dispatch (aims to send within 10 working days) and £65 for express (same-day dispatch if ordered before 11am)

Companies House cannot certify PSCs, shareholders, shareholdings or the statement of capital on a certificate. It also does not legalise documents for overseas use.

What the FCDO does

The FCDO Legalisation Office confirms that the signature, stamp or seal on a UK document is genuine. GOV.UK lists company certificates issued by Companies House among the documents it can legalise. Its options are:

Fees checked on GOV.UK on 4 October 2026. If a document cannot be legalised, the FCDO does not refund the fee.

An apostille authenticates the signature. It says nothing about whether the company is solvent, who owns it or whether the content is correct.

Why the order matters

GOV.UK says that to get a Companies House document legalised, it must carry the original signature of a British public official. That means you need a certified certificate or certified copy from Companies House, not a free download from the register. So the sequence is:

1. Companies House issues the certified certificate or copy.
2. FCDO attaches the apostille.
3. Embassy legalisation, only for countries outside the Hague Apostille Convention whose recipients require it.
4. Translation, if the recipient needs it, at the point in the chain the recipient specifies.

When you need each one

Always follow the recipient’s written list, which may differ from these patterns. Our guide to the Hague Apostille Convention explains which countries accept apostilles.

Worked example

A UK company is registering a subsidiary in Germany. The German notary asks for a Certificate of Good Standing and certified articles, both apostilled.

The director orders the company documents pack from UKCOGS, which collects certified documents from Companies House (two documents at £22 each in official fees, included in the pack price). When the certified documents arrive, UKCOGS quotes for two paper apostilles: two FCDO fees of £45 each, plus return courier and handling. Germany is a Hague country, so no embassy step is needed. The notary then arranges any German translation it requires.

Common mistakes

• Sending a downloaded PDF to the FCDO. It has no original official signature, so it cannot be apostilled.
• Expecting Companies House to apostille. Companies House does not legalise documents; that is the FCDO’s role.
• Assuming an apostille proves the facts. It authenticates the signature only.
• Trusting “FCDO approved” claims. Check any such claim against official GOV.UK sources. UKCOGS makes no FCDO partner or listing claim.
• Using stale fees. The current e-Apostille fee is £35 per document.

Where UKCOGS fits

We order the Companies House stage on a buy-now basis: COGS £79 standard or £129 express, certified incorporation £49, certified articles £49 and packs £249 to £299, all ex VAT and including the official fee. Apostille and embassy stages are quote-only, so we can confirm we can fulfil them before you pay. Not sure what you need? Try Which document do I need? or start on the Certificate of Good Standing page.

Frequently asked questions

Does Companies House issue apostilles?

No. Companies House issues certificates and certified copies. The FCDO Legalisation Office issues apostilles.

Can the FCDO apostille a Companies House PDF download?

No. GOV.UK says a Companies House document must carry the original signature of a British public official, so you need a certified certificate or copy.

What is the difference in fees?

Companies House charges £22 standard or £65 express per certificate. The FCDO charges £45 per paper apostille or £35 per e-Apostille, plus courier for paper returns.

Do I always need both?

No. UK recipients usually need only the Companies House document. Overseas recipients often need the apostille as well.

Is the FCDO part of Companies House?

No. They are separate government bodies with separate roles and fees.

Can UKCOGS submit to the FCDO for me?

We handle apostille requests on a quote-only basis and confirm what we can fulfil before you pay. We are not the FCDO and do not claim partner status.

What comes after the apostille for non-Hague countries?

Usually embassy or consular legalisation by the destination country’s mission in the UK, sometimes followed by a ministry step abroad. We quote those stages separately.