Which UK company document do I need?
Most overseas banks and registries asking for “good standing” want a Companies House company certificate with the summary statement (UKCOGS £79 ex VAT, official fee £22). Formation proof is a certified Certificate of Incorporation; a constitution request means certified articles. Answer two questions below to match the recipient’s wording, then share or order the result.
Private agent tool · Not Companies House or the FCDO · Not legal advice. Match the recipient’s written list before you pay.
1. What does the recipient mainly ask for?
2. Any extra context?
How to use this helper
- Have the recipient’s written document list in front of you. The exact words matter more than what anyone said on the phone.
- Pick what the list mainly asks for: proof the company is active, proof of formation, the constitution, several documents, or a foreign apostille stage. If you are not sure the company’s filings are up to date, pick the filings option first.
- Add context: an overseas bank or registry, UK use only, a tight deadline, or papers you already hold that may be too old.
- Read the recommendation, the UKCOGS price and the official Companies House or FCDO fee shown next to it.
- Use Copy link to this result to send the same answer to a colleague, accountant or overseas counsel, or Copy summary to paste it into an email. The order button opens checkout with the matching product selected.
The documents compared
Official fees were checked on GOV.UK the week of 8 October 2026 (Companies House fees list; FCDO “Get your document legalised”). UKCOGS prices are ex VAT and include the official Companies House fee. Apostille and embassy work is never added to a buy-now price.
| Document | What it proves | Official fee | UKCOGS ex VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Good Standing (company certificate with summary statement) Open this result | The company exists, its status, and (where eligible) that it has been in continuous existence with no current strike-off action. Optional facts: directors, secretaries, registered office, objects. | £22 / £65 same day | £79 / £129 express |
| Certified Certificate of Incorporation Open this result | Formation only: name, number, incorporation date. Says nothing about current standing. | £22 / £65 same day | £49 |
| Certified articles of association Open this result | The company’s constitution as filed at Companies House. | £22 / £65 same day | £49 |
| Company documents pack Open this result | Company certificate, certified incorporation and certified articles on one invoice. | £66 standard (3 × £22) | £249–£299 |
| Filings check Open this result | Whether accounts or the confirmation statement are overdue before you order. | Free on the public register | Free tool, or £15 manual check |
| Apostille / e-Apostille / embassy legalisation Open this result | FCDO authenticates the signature or seal on a UK document so it can be used abroad. It does not change the company facts. | £45 paper / £35 e-Apostille per document (FCDO) | Quote-only |
Common situations and what usually fits
These are typical patterns, not rules. The receiving bank, registry or lawyer decides what it accepts, so always match their written list.
| Who is asking | Typical wording | Usual match |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai or Abu Dhabi bank opening an account for a UK Ltd | “Certificate of good standing, certificate of incorporation and memorandum and articles, apostilled.” | Documents pack, then an apostille quote for each document. That is three FCDO fees if all three must be apostilled. Open result |
| Supplier or tender portal in the EU | “Recent certificate of good standing issued by the registry.” | Company certificate with summary statement, standard unless the deadline is close. Open result |
| Notary preparing a power of attorney abroad | “Proof of incorporation and the company’s constitution.” | Certified Certificate of Incorporation plus certified articles; the pack is usually better value if a status certificate is also needed. Open result |
| UK landlord, lender or insurer | “Confirmation the company is active.” | Often the free Companies House record is enough. Ask whether they accept a printout before ordering a certified certificate. Open result |
| Overseas counsel says your certificate is too old | “Certificate must be issued within the last 90 days.” | A fresh company certificate. The freshness helper tells you how many days you have left on the one you hold. Open result |
| Accounts are late and the bank still wants good standing | “Certificate of good standing.” | Run a filings check first. Companies House can refuse the summary statement while filings are overdue, so file first, then order. Open result |
Wording that trips people up
- “Certificate of good standing” from a solicitor or barrister. The SRA and the Bar Standards Board issue their own certificates of good standing for individual lawyers. That is a different document. UKCOGS only orders Companies House company documents.
- Shareholders, PSCs or share capital. Companies House has not put shareholders, Persons with Significant Control or a statement of capital on the company certificate since 2016. If a recipient needs ownership facts, ask which certified filing they will accept, such as a confirmation statement. See PSC and the certificate of good standing.
- “Certificate of incumbency.” Companies House does not issue a document with that name. Many recipients accept a company certificate listing the directors and secretary instead; some want a notarised document. Ask before ordering, and request a quote if a notary stage is needed.
- “Valid for 90 days.” A company certificate has no expiry date in law. The 30, 60 or 90-day windows are the recipient’s own rule. Check yours with the freshness helper.
- “Certified copy” from a solicitor. A Companies House certified copy and a solicitor-certified photocopy are not the same thing. See certified copy vs solicitor-certified.
- “Objects” or “corporate purpose.” Most modern UK companies have unrestricted objects. See company objects and corporate purpose for how to answer that request.
Once you know the document, price the whole order with the cost estimator or build a bundle in the pack builder.
How to read common checklist wording
- Certificate of Good Standing / company certificate / status certificate — usually a Companies House company certificate (summary statement where eligible). Buy-now from £79 ex VAT (express £129). Official CH fee £22 standard / £65 express (confirm on GOV.UK).
- Certificate of Incorporation — formation proof only. Does not prove current good standing.
- Certified copies / company documents pack — several named filings certified by Companies House in one order.
- Apostille / legalisation / embassy — separate FCDO or embassy stage. Quote-only here; official FCDO fees should be confirmed on GOV.UK.
Official sources
- Order certified copies and certificates from Companies House — GOV.UK
- Companies House fees — GOV.UK fees list
- Get your document legalised — FCDO apostille guidance
- Find and update company information — live Companies House record
Page last updated 8 October 2026. Official fees rechecked against GOV.UK the week of publish.
Frequently asked questions
What is a UK Certificate of Good Standing?
In practice, buyers mean a Companies House company certificate that can include a summary statement confirming the company is in good standing (where eligible). It reflects the register at the issue date — not a permanent “valid until” stamp. Banks and overseas recipients often set their own freshness windows.
When do I need a Certificate of Incorporation instead?
When the recipient only wants proof that the company was formed — company number, name and incorporation date. Incorporation alone does not prove current good standing or that filings are up to date.
What is in a company documents pack?
A pack typically bundles certified Companies House copies such as the certificate of incorporation, current articles, and other named filings the bank or counsel listed. Use a pack when the checklist asks for several certified copies, not only a good-standing style certificate.
Should I check filings before I order?
Yes. Overdue accounts or confirmation statements can affect a summary statement (good-standing) route. Review the live Companies House record before you pay.
Is apostille buy-now or quote-only?
Companies House certificates, certified copies, packs and filings-related CH products are buy-now. Apostille, embassy, e-apostille and translation stages are quote-only until the route is confirmed. An apostille authenticates a signature or seal — it does not refresh company facts.
What does each document cost?
Through UKCOGS, ex VAT: Certificate of Good Standing £79 standard or £129 express, certified Certificate of Incorporation £49, certified articles £49, documents pack £249–£299, filings check £15. Official Companies House fees (£22 standard, £65 express) are included and were checked on GOV.UK the week of 8 October 2026.
Can the certificate show shareholders or PSCs?
No. Since 2016 Companies House has not offered shareholders, Persons with Significant Control or a statement of capital as facts on the company certificate. You can add directors, secretaries, registered office and objects. If a recipient needs ownership details, ask which certified filing they will accept instead.
Is this the same as an SRA certificate of good standing?
No. The Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board issue certificates of good standing for individual lawyers. UKCOGS orders Companies House company documents for UK companies only.
Does Companies House issue a certificate of incumbency?
No document with that name is issued by Companies House. Many recipients accept a company certificate that lists the directors and secretary. If they want a notarised certificate, request a quote, because notary and legalisation stages are quote-only.
Can I share my result?
Yes. The result is written into the page address (for example ?need=pack&ctx=bank). Use “Copy link to this result” to send the same recommendation to a colleague or overseas counsel, or “Copy summary” to paste the recommendation, prices and official fees into an email.
Ready to order Companies House documents?
Buy-now for COGS, certified copies and packs. Apostille and embassy stages stay quote-only until we confirm the route.