Before you order a certified document from Companies House: costs, options and the free alternative

Do you actually need a certified document

Most company records filed at Companies House can be viewed and downloaded free from the Find and update company information service. A free PDF is enough for ordinary reference, due diligence or record-keeping. You only need a certified version when a third party requires proof that the document is a true copy of the register, such as a bank, court, tender process or overseas authority.

A certified copy carries a Companies House certification. A certificate with certified facts is a separate signed document confirming specific facts about the company. If nobody has asked for certification, the free download almost always does the job, so check the requirement before paying.

What it costs and how long it takes

The standard service costs 22 pounds for a certified document or certificate, and is aimed to be sent within 10 working days by Royal Mail Second Class in the UK. Incorporation documents cost 44 pounds on the standard service. The express same-day service costs 65 pounds, or 130 pounds for incorporation documents, but the order must be placed before 11am.

Express orders are sent by Royal Mail First Class. If you order after 11am, the document is sent the next working day. International orders go by Royal Mail International post. Companies House is not responsible for later courier or legalisation costs, and you should check for any Royal Mail disruption before ordering.

How to place the order

Use the Find and update company information service: search for the company, open the More tab, and order from there. Alternatively, call the Companies House contact centre on 0303 1234 500. You choose standard or express dispatch at the point of order.

If your order does not arrive, contact Companies House within 28 days. After 28 days you must place a new order and pay again.

Adding certified facts and the summary statement

You can ask for additional certified facts on a certificate, including directors' names and details such as date of birth or nationality, secretaries' names, the registered office address, and the company's objects. You can also request a summary statement, previously called the good standing statement, which confirms the company has existed continuously since incorporation and that no strike-off action is currently being taken.

A summary statement is only issued if the company is up to date with its filings, and only for a private limited company with at least one natural-person director, or a public limited company with a secretary and at least two directors, one of whom is a natural person. You cannot obtain certificates covering people with significant control, shareholders, shareholdings or the statement of capital.

Using the document abroad: legalisation and apostille

For use overseas, a document often needs to be legalised so a foreign authority will accept it. In Hague Convention countries this is done with an apostille from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. To be apostilled directly, a Companies House document must carry the original signature of a British public official, which is why you order a certified certificate or certified copy first.

The standard FCDO apostille costs 45 pounds per document, or 35 pounds for the digital e-Apostille, plus return delivery and any professional handling. Unsigned copies or print-outs usually need solicitor or notary certification before the FCDO will apostille them, which adds cost, so ordering a signed certified document from Companies House first can be the cleaner route.

Common mistakes to avoid before you order

Paying for certification when a free download would satisfy the requester is a common error; always confirm the format the third party needs. Choosing express after 11am and expecting same-day dispatch is another mistake, as late orders move to the next working day. Assuming a certified copy is automatically valid abroad is also incorrect, as overseas use generally needs the extra FCDO apostille step.

Ordering the wrong item is a further pitfall. A certified copy of a filed document is different from a certificate with certified facts, and a summary statement is a specific add-on with its own eligibility rules.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a certified Companies House document cost?

22 pounds on the standard service, sent within 10 working days, or 44 pounds for incorporation documents. The same-day express service is 65 pounds, or 130 pounds for incorporation documents.

Can I get Companies House documents for free?

Yes. Uncertified copies of filed documents can be downloaded free from the Find and update company information service. You only pay when you need a certified version for a bank, court or overseas authority.

What is a summary statement?

Formerly the good standing statement, it confirms a company has existed continuously since incorporation with no strike-off action under way. It is only issued if filings are up to date and the company meets the director or secretary conditions.

How do I use a Companies House document abroad?

It usually needs an FCDO apostille. The document must carry a British public official's original signature, so order a certified certificate or copy first. The standard apostille is 45 pounds, or 35 pounds for the e-Apostille.

What if my order does not arrive?

Contact Companies House within 28 days of placing the order. After 28 days you will need to place and pay for a new order.