Certificate of Incumbency
Apostille for a Certificate of Incumbency
If you plan to conduct business internationally, you may need legal proof of your company’s details, which often requires an apostille stamp on your Certificate of Incumbency. At Wharf Notaries, our team of professional notaries is ready to assist you in authenticating this essential document. Read on to learn more about what a Certificate of Incumbency is and how we can help legalise it.
What Is a Certificate of Incumbency?
A Certificate of Incumbency is a document that verifies specific details about a company. It can be issued for both UK-registered and foreign companies and typically includes:
- Company Name
- Company Registration Number
- Company Office Address
- Place of Registration
- Details of Directors and Shareholders
In many jurisdictions, a Certificate of Incumbency serves as a legal document detailing the roles of company directors. In the UK, this certificate is usually prepared and signed by a company director or legal professional, with a notary public able to notarise it after verifying information from Companies House. When a Certificate of Incumbency is requested for a UK company, a Certificate of Good Standing from Companies House is often provided instead. This document confirms the company’s existence, registered office address, registration number, current standing, and a list of directors and secretaries. However, it does not include shareholder information, which may require an additional document.
Why You Might Need an Apostille for a Certificate of Incumbency
You may need an apostille for your Certificate of Incumbency in scenarios such as:
- Trading overseas
- Setting up an international bank account
- Opening an office abroad
An apostille ensures the recipient that the Certificate of Incumbency is authentic. The certificate must first be notarised by a notary public, and the apostille will verify the notary’s signature and seal.
Introduced by the Hague Convention in 1961, apostille stamps are a recognised form of legalisation for documents and are accepted by over 120 member countries. For non-member countries, additional consular legalisation may be necessary.
What Documents Are Required for an Apostille Certificate?
To obtain an apostille for a Certificate of Incumbency, you will need:
- A notarised Certificate of Incumbency from a UK notary public
- An original Certificate of Good Standing issued by Companies House
Process to Apostille a Certificate of Incumbency
To secure an apostille, submit your Certificate of Incumbency to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Legalisation Office (FCDO), which has service counters in London (Premium Service) and Milton Keynes (Standard Service). Wharf Notaries offers both a same-day premium apostille service for urgent requests and a standard service with a 3-5 day turnaround for less time-sensitive cases. We’ll guide you through each step:
- Contact Us: Let us know your needs by completing our online Client Registration Form. We’ll explain how we will carry out the identification and verification process.
- Appointment Booking: Schedule a time to deliver the original Certificate of Incumbency to our London office, email a scanned copy to hello@wharfnotaries.com or mail the original.
- Verification: If the certificate was issued electronically, we will verify its authenticity with the issuer.
- Original Document: If it’s a physical copy, provide the original, and we’ll notarise it as a true copy.
- Certificate of Good Standing: Please provide the original Certificate of Good Standing issued by Companies House if required.
- Notarisation and Submission: We’ll notarise and submit the documents to the FCDO, and if additional consular legalisation is needed, we can assist with that as well.
- Completion: Once legalisation is complete, we will send you a PDF of the apostilled document. You may collect it from our office, have it mailed to a UK address, or couriered internationally via DHL.
If you require notarisation, an apostille, or consular legalisation for your Certificate of Incumbency, our team at Wharf Notaries is here to assist you every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Certificate of Incumbency
How long does the apostille process take?
We offer two service options: a same-day premium service for urgent requests and a standard service (3-5 working days).
How do I obtain a Certificate of Good Standing?
A Certificate of Good Standing can be ordered from Companies House, confirming your company’s existence, registered office address, and compliance status.
Can I use a Certificate of Good Standing instead of a Certificate of Incumbency?
While a Certificate of Good Standing contains most of the required details, it may not include shareholder information. If shareholder information is essential, you may still need a Certificate of Incumbency.
What if my Certificate of Incumbency was issued electronically?
If your certificate is electronic, we will verify its authenticity with the issuer before notarisation and apostille services.
How will I receive my apostilled document?
Upon completion, you can collect the apostilled document from our office, have it mailed to a UK address, or couriered internationally.