A Certificate of Good Standing is an official document issued by Companies House. It verifies a limited company is in ‘good standing’, which tells third parties the company has met statutory requirements.
Simply put, it is proof a company has met filing requirements, paid fees and charges, and adheres to Companies House rules.
There are reasons to request a Certificate of Good Standing:
- It keeps third parties happy.
- It impacts a company’s reputation.
The certificate details a company’s:
- Date of incorporation
- Director names
UK companies may provide a Certificate of Good Standing for overseas business matters. The document confirms a UK limited company is up-to-date with obligations and approved to conduct international business.
To get a Certificate of Good Standing from Companies House, search for your company name on their website. Click ‘Order a certified certificate’. Companies House charges around £15 for standard delivery or £50 for same-day service.
What is the purpose of the certificate of Good Standing? A Certificate of Good Standing confirms that a company is incorporated and approved to conduct business in certain countries or states. In some nations, it may be referred to as a Certificate of Authorization or Certificate of Existence. In the UK, this document must be requested from Companies House. It includes:
- Information on how long the limited company has been in existence.
- Whether the company has adhered to all statutory filing requirements.
- Confirmation that no fees and charges are associated with the business.
- Verification that there are no pending legal actions against the company.
It’s also known as a Certificate of Compliance or Certificate of Existence.
Why would you need one? There are several key reasons a limited company would request a Certificate of Good Standing, such as to trade overseas, set up an overseas branch, or open a bank account for your UK company.
What is shown on a Certificate of Good Standing?
- The date of incorporation.
- The names of all company directors.
- The name of the company secretary (if applicable).
- The registered office address.
- Company objects (if applicable).
- Verification that the company is up to date with filing requirements.
All hard copy certificates will bear the signature of a Companies House official.
Outside of the UK a Certificate of Good Standing can also be referred to as a Certificate of Existence or a Certificate of Authorization.