Certificate of incorporation: what it is and when you need an apostille
A Certificate of Incorporation is official proof that your company is registered with Companies House. Discover when apostille certification and legalisation may be required for overseas business activities.
A Certificate of Incorporation is one of the most important documents a UK company can possess. It serves as official proof that a business has been legally registered with Companies House and exists as a separate legal entity.
Whether you are opening a business bank account, entering commercial contracts or expanding overseas, your Certificate of Incorporation is often one of the first documents you will be asked to provide.
If your company intends to operate internationally, you may also need to have the document apostilled or legalised.
What is a Certificate of Incorporation?
A Certificate of Incorporation is issued by Companies House when a company is successfully registered in the United Kingdom.
The certificate confirms:
- The company name
- Company registration number
- Date of incorporation
- Jurisdiction of registration
- Type of company
- Official registration with Companies House
Once issued, the company becomes a separate legal entity from its owners and directors.
Why is a Certificate of Incorporation important?
The document is frequently required when dealing with banks, government bodies, investors and overseas authorities.
Common uses include:
- Opening business bank accounts
- Applying for finance
- Entering commercial agreements
- Registering overseas branches
- Obtaining licences and permits
- Verifying company ownership
- International trade and investment
Many foreign authorities will request a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation before allowing a UK company to operate within their jurisdiction.
How do you obtain a Certificate of Incorporation?
When a company is formed through Companies House, a Certificate of Incorporation is automatically issued.
If you require additional copies, they can normally be obtained through Companies House.
Certified copies are often required when the document is being used for legal or international purposes.
When is an apostille required?
If the Certificate of Incorporation is being presented outside the UK, an apostille may be required.
An apostille certificate issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirms that the document is genuine and can be recognised internationally under the Hague Apostille Convention.
Many countries require an apostilled Certificate of Incorporation before they will accept UK company documents.
Common reasons to apostille a Certificate of Incorporation
Businesses frequently require an apostilled Certificate of Incorporation for:
- Opening overseas bank accounts
- Establishing foreign subsidiaries
- International tenders
- Overseas investments
- Company registration abroad
- Import and export activities
- Commercial licensing applications
The requirements vary depending on the destination country.
Do some countries require embassy legalisation?
Yes.
Countries that are not members of the Hague Apostille Convention may require additional embassy attestation after the apostille has been issued.
This is common in certain jurisdictions in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Additional legalisation requirements may apply depending on the type of transaction involved.
Other company documents that may require legalisation
In addition to a Certificate of Incorporation, foreign authorities may request:
- Certificate of Good Standing
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Companies House records
- Board resolutions
- Shareholder resolutions
- Powers of attorney
- Commercial agreements
Many of these documents can also be apostilled or legalised for international use.
Fast apostille and legalisation services for company documents
At Orcap, we assist businesses throughout the UK with:
- Certificate of Incorporation apostille services
- Same day apostille services
- FCDO apostille UK processing
- Company document legalisation
- Certificate of Good Standing apostille
- Embassy attestation
- Fast apostille and legalisation services
- Hague apostille services
Our team can advise on the correct legalisation process based on the destination country and document type.
Need a Certificate of Incorporation apostilled?
If your business is expanding overseas or dealing with foreign authorities, Orcap can help ensure your company documents are accepted internationally.
Contact our team today for expert assistance with apostille certificates, embassy attestation and international business document legalisation.
