13 November 2023

What is a Certificate of Good Standing?

The Certificate of Good Standing is an important company document. We will tell you all you need to know about the certificate.

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Anyone who owns a business, and wants to expand their operations overseas, will need a Certificate of Good Standing.

The certificate proves that your company has continuously existed since it was incorporated, and that it is not currently in the process of being removed from the Companies House register.

Before it can be used abroad, it will need to be notarised by a Notary Public. This is a service we can help you with.

How do I get a Certificate of Good Standing?

To get a Certificate of Good Standing, you need to apply on the Government’s website.
You do this by searching the company register for your company, then click the ‘more’ tab. Here, you will be able to order certificates and documents.

Click on ‘order a certificate,’ where you will be able to choose to order a Certificate of Good Standing. The standard service is £15, while certificates related to the incorporation of a company cost £30.

The Royal Mail will deliver your certificate to the address you choose when you order it.
Your certificate will be dispatched in 10 working days.

They also offer a same-day option for £50, or £100 for incorporation documents. If you order after 11am, it will come the next working day instead.

If your certificate has not arrived, you should contact Companies House within 28 days of when you placed your order, or you will need to order it again.

Notary, apostille and legalisation services

Anyone who plans on using their Certificate of Good Standing overseas will first need to get it notarised by a registered Notary Public. This is a service that we offer as a notary.

Once your certificate has been notarised, it will need to either be given an apostille, or go through the process of embassy legalisation. The process you need depends on where you plan to go. Most countries accept apostilles, but some do not.

If you are unsure whether your destination country requires an apostille, or embassy legalisation, do not hesitate to contact us for help.

We can manage the whole process of getting an apostille, as well as the embassy legalisation process.

Contact us

Woodcock Notary Public can notarise your documents. Get in touch with us today if you need our services.

READY FOR ASSISTANCE?

If you have any questions about our notary, apostille or consular services,
contact Woodcock Notary Public today.

Call us on 0330 133 6480 or email info@woodcocknotarypublic.com.

If you have any questions about our notary, apostille or consular services, contact Woodcock Notary Public today.