Certificate of Good Standing
Legalising UK Certificates
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Order a Certificate of Good Standing
UK companies may be asked to provide a certificate of good standing by an overseas organisation. The certificate of good standing is a Companies House issued certificate that confirms the details held by the public registrar at the time of issue.
If your business is looking to open a bank account overseas, start an offshore company, open a new branch in new territory or enter into large contracts with foreign companies you may need to confirm the company details. A common solution to this is to provide them with a certificate of good standing (COGS).
Most certificates can be provided in just 1 to 2 days!
What is a Certificate of Good Standing?
The COGS is a formal certificate created by Companies House. It looks similar to a certificate of incorporation but contains additional information. The certificate is prepared and signed by a registrar at Companies House.
If the company is recently formed or is up-to-date with its filing duties (submitting accounts and the confirmation statement (previously the annual return) and no further documents or fines are outstanding) then the company is deemed to be in 'good standing'.
If your business is looking to open a bank account overseas, start an offshore company, open a new branch in a new territory or enter into large contracts with foreign companies you may need to confirm the company details. A common solution to this is to provide them with a certificate of good standing.
The COGS is widely recognised internationally and is regularly requested by foreign organisations and banks.
What does the certificate state?
According to the documents on file and in the custody of the Registrar, the company is up to date with its filing requirements and has at least 1 director, who is a natural person over the age of 16.
The company has been in continuous unbroken existence since its incorporation and no action is currently being taken by the Registrar of Companies to strike the company off the register or to dissolve it as defunct. As far as the Registrar is aware, the company is not in liquidation or subject to an administration order, and no receiver or manager of the company's property has been appointed ****************************
Most certificates include the line of asterisks (****) at the end of the statement to prevent anyone from adding additional text to the certificate after it has been created.
Ordering the Certificate?
What is included on the Certificate
The standard format of the COGS includes the company name, the company number and the date of registration. In addition to this you can request that further information is added to the certificate. This is recommended as it clarifies the structure of the company. Additional information includes-
- Registered office address
- Company Director names (and addresses if requested)
- Company Secretary names (and addresses if requested)
- Any previous name changes the company has made
The COGS can be ordered on two speeds of service.
- The standard service typically takes 5 to 7 working days.
- The expedite service is completed in 1 to 2 days.
Legalising the Certificate of Good Standing
Over recent years we have seen an increase in the number of COGS being ordered for international use. If you have been asked to confirm who owns the company or provide evidence of the company directors this certificate will normally be accepted.
Once the COGS has been ordered we can arrange for the document to have an apostille attached. The apostille is normally required to authenticate the document for foreign countries. For more information on our apostille service please contact us
There are other documents that can be legalised to confirm the owners or directors of a company. Some countries request a certificate of incumbency or a current appointments report. If you need assistance proving who the company officers of a UK company are we are happy to assist you.
Contact our legalisation team for assistance ordering certificates or to discuss other documents.
What does the Certificate Look Like?
Certificate of Good Standing Standard
£35 Order- Order a Certificate of Good Standing on the standard service (10 working days) to confirm the current structure of your company.
Certificate of Good Standing Expedite
£70 Order- Order a Certificate of Good Standing on the fast service (2 working days) to confirm the current structure of your company.