A Certificate of Good Standing in the UK is a document issued by Companies House confirming that a registered company has existed continuously since incorporation, is up to date with its filings, and is not in the process of being struck off the register. Companies House formally calls it a certified certificate with a summary statement, but the “good standing” label is what banks, foreign registries, and overseas partners tend to ask for. You order it online, it costs £22 on standard service or £65 same-day, and it arrives by post.1Companies House. Companies House fees
What the Certificate Actually Confirms
The summary statement says two things: the company has been in continuous, unbroken existence since incorporation, and no action is currently being taken to strike it off.2Companies House. Order certified documents and certificates from Companies House In practice that means the company is live on the register and has filed its accounts and confirmation statements on time.
It does not prove financial health or tax compliance. Companies House only checks filings made to the registrar. The certificate says nothing about money owed to HMRC, VAT arrears, Corporation Tax, or trade debts. If a foreign authority wants proof of UK tax status, that comes from HMRC separately, usually as a tax residency certificate.
Who Can Get One
Your company has to be current on its filings. Companies House will refuse the summary statement for any company with overdue accounts or an overdue confirmation statement, and for companies in liquidation, administration, or active strike-off.
Eligibility is also limited by entity type. Private limited companies qualify if they have at least one director who is a natural person. Public limited companies qualify if they have a company secretary and at least two directors, one of whom must be a natural person.2Companies House. Order certified documents and certificates from Companies House
Late filing penalties themselves do not block the order. Once the missing filings are submitted and accepted, you can apply, even if the penalty is still outstanding.
How to Order
Orders go through the Find and Update Company Information service on the Companies House website. Search for the company, open the “More” tab on the company overview, and follow the prompts for a certified certificate. You can also call Companies House on 0303 1234 500.2Companies House. Order certified documents and certificates from Companies House
You need the exact registered company name and the eight-digit company number. Shorter numbers take leading zeros, so 12345 becomes 00012345.3Companies House. What is the company number
Anyone can order a certificate for any company on the register. You do not have to be a director or authorised agent. A prospective investor, a foreign lawyer running due diligence, or the company itself can all place the order.
Fees and Turnaround
- Standard service: £22 per certificate, dispatch aimed within 10 working days.
- Same-day service: £65 per certificate, dispatched the same day if ordered before 11am; after 11am, the next working day.
- Additional copies of the same certificate ordered at the same time: £16 each.
The fees are the same for UK and international delivery.1Companies House. Companies House fees Payment is by credit card, debit card, or a Companies House account.
Delivery is by post. UK orders go by Royal Mail 1st Class; overseas orders go by Royal Mail International post, and Companies House will ship straight to a foreign address if a receiving authority prefers that.2Companies House. Order certified documents and certificates from Companies House Build in transit time on top of the processing window, especially internationally.
What Can Be Included, and What Cannot
Every certificate carries the company name, company number, and date of incorporation, alongside the summary statement.4Companies House. Certificates and certified document copies from Companies House When ordering, you can request extra facts to appear on the certificate: the registered office address, current directors, and the company secretary. These extras help when an overseas bank or regulator wants to see who runs the company.
Some information cannot be added. Companies House states that certificates cannot include details of people with significant control, shareholders, shareholdings, or the statement of capital.5Companies House. Order certified documents and certificates from Companies House – Section: Including additional facts on a certificate For shareholder information, you would need a certified copy of the confirmation statement or the share register instead.
How Long It Is Valid
Companies House does not print an expiry date. In practice the certificate is treated as valid for three months from the date of issue, because a company’s status can change at any time. Banks, foreign registrars, and regulators generally want a copy dated within the last three months. If a transaction drags on, expect to order a fresh one.
Getting an Apostille for Use Abroad
A Certificate of Good Standing is a UK public registry document, which qualifies it for an apostille from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The apostille is the form of international authentication recognised under the Hague Apostille Convention, and without it many foreign authorities will refuse the certificate.
FCDO service options are:
- Standard paper apostille: £45 per document, usually within 15 working days, plus courier.
- e-Apostille: £35 per document, within 2 working days.
- Next-day service (registered businesses only): £40 per document.6GOV.UK. Get your document legalised: Overview
If the destination country is not part of the Hague Convention, an apostille is not enough. Full legalisation is required instead, with an additional step through the relevant embassy or consulate. The FCDO legalisation page sets out which route applies to which country.
If Your Filings Are Behind
Bring the filings current first. Companies House will not issue the summary statement while accounts or the confirmation statement are overdue. Private company accounts are normally due within nine months of the financial year-end, and a confirmation statement is due at least once every 12 months.
Once overdue documents are submitted and accepted, the register updates and the certificate becomes available to order. Give yourself time: catching up on filings, waiting for the certificate to arrive by post, and then getting an apostille can add up to several weeks before a foreign counterparty has what it needs.