UK Apostille for Certificate of Good Standing

Apostille service overview:

We can apostille both the original or a certified copy*
(*To certify a copy, we must receive the original!)

The original Certificate of Good Standing (COGS) with the original wet ink signature – does not need to be solicitor-certified.

However, if the wet ink signature is not registered with the FCDO, then an apostille can not be issued.

If the signature is not registered, our FCDO-registered solicitors can certify the COGS to obtain the apostille.

How the process works:

Step one:

We need the original for the apostille process.

Step two:

Contact us. When emailing, please provide the following information:

How many documents need an apostille?
In which country will the board resolution be used?
Does the board resolution need to be translated?
How soon do you need the apostille?

When we have all the information, the team will assess your enquiry and give you a personalised, detailed quotation.

If you accept the quotation, we send an invoice to be paid, and the process of getting the apostille starts.

Step three:

As soon as your documents have been apostilled, we will send you a scanned copy via email to inform you that the legalisation process has been completed successfully and your apostilled documents(s) are on their way or ready to be collected.

If you are not collecting your apostilled certificate from our London office – we will provide you with the tracking number given by the courier.

Note that we return documents with DHL or Royal Mail.

How much does it cost?

For business documents, prices are as follows:

3-4-day service costs £112.
1-day (next business day) costs £135

The price includes admin, solicitor, FCDO fees, and VAT.

Call 0207 050 0692

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Your fast-track apostille options

Choose the turnaround that fits your deadline.

Option 1: Next business day

Your deed poll must arrive at our office by 9:30 am. It will be ready to collect from around 3:30 pm the following business day

Option 2: 3 to 4 day service

Documents arriving after 9:30 am are processed on the 3 to 4 business day track. This is our most popular option.

Option 3: e-Apostille in 5 to 48 hours

The e-apostille is a digital version of the apostille certificate. If your document qualifies, it is usually completed within 24 hours, but may take 2 working days, depending on the FCDO’s workload.

Most ink-signed deed polls require the paper apostille instead. Contact us if you are unsure which applies to you.

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Why do companies require a certificate of good standing?

Companies require a certificate of good standing to prove that they have been in operation since their inception. The good standing certificate also confirms all the company details held by the public registrar’s office.

If you wish to open a bank account in a country other than the UK or set up a new branch with the same company name, you must confirm the details of your business. This document will provide all of the details required.

Must I have a certificate of good standing in the UK?

Not really. Most businesses do not require one, but some prefer to keep their records up to date and can request one.

Even if your business is wholly based in the UK, the following institutions may ask for it:

Lenders
Banks
Investors

Certificate of Good Standing Example Document

What is included in the certificate of good standing?

The standard format comprises the following information:

The company name
The company number
The registration date
The company’s registered office address
A declaration indicating the business has been in operation from its inception
A statement confirming that Companies House has not taken any action to strike the company off the register and declare it invalid
A statement showing that the business is not in liquidation or administration and that no manager or receiver of the company’s property has been appointed, as far as the registrar is aware

You can also request that additional information be added to the certificate, such as:

The names of the company directors
The names of the company secretary
Any previous name changes made by the company
The company’s goals

Do I need to legalise the certificate of good standing?

Yes, if you intend to use it outside the UK. A certificate of good standing is needed if you plan to do business in another country or work with foreign companies.

The official registrars usually ask for it. They also ask for an apostille certificate to confirm the official authentication of the Companies House document to confirm that your business is operating properly and in full compliance with its duties.

Some countries also require further legalisation at their Embassy in London.

How do I get a certificate of good standing?

You can request your certificate of good standing from Companies House.

Suppose your company has already been incorporated and appears in the Companies House database. In that case, you can be issued a certificate of good standing even if the business has been operating for only a few days.

When applying, there are two main ways of receiving it:

1. The basic service, which takes 5 to 7 days to complete, and,
2. The expedited service takes 1 to 2 days to complete.

How long is the certificate of good standing valid?

The certificate of good standing is valid for three months from the date of issue. You need to order a new CGS once the three months have passed, which means the new CGS will again need to be apostilled.

Sometimes if the CGS is used in a non-English speaking country, a translation of the CGS may be needed. We can assist with obtaining translations of documents where required.