Articles of Association
Notarise and Apostille Articles of Association
If you plan to conduct business abroad, such as opening a foreign bank account, you may need to have your articles of association notarised and apostilled. At Wharf Notaries, our team of skilled professionals can assist you in authenticating this essential document. Learn more about articles of association and our streamlined process for notarisation and legalisation.
What are Articles of Association?
Articles of association serve as the governing document for a company, establishing the rules and regulations that dictate how the company operates and is managed. Required for companies formed in the UK under the Companies Act, they contain fundamental information about the company and delineate the duties and powers of its directors. Companies can either adopt standard model articles or create custom articles.
Why You Might Need Notarisation and an Apostille Certificate for Articles of Association
When engaging in business abroad, such as opening a bank account in a foreign country, authorities may request that you have your articles of association notarised and apostilled to ensure legal certification of your company’s details.
Additionally, if you are doing business in a non-English speaking country, you may be required to provide a translation of the documents, which we can assist you with.
How Were the Articles Issued?
Articles of association can be provided in several formats:
- The original articles signed by an official from Companies House
- The original articles not signed by an official from Companies House
- A photocopy of your articles
- A printout of your electronic articles obtained from the original PDF or other electronic formats
The notarisation and apostille process will depend on how your articles were issued.
Process to Notarise and Apostille Articles of Association
Wharf Notaries offers fast and cost-effective services, guiding you through each step of the process:
- Contact Us: Let us know what you need, and we will ask you to complete our online Client Registration Form to initiate the identification and verification process.
- Original Articles Signed: If the document is an original version signed by an official from Companies House, notarisation is not mandatory. If you need to use it abroad, you can obtain an apostille directly from the FCDO.
- Original Articles Not Signed: If your document is an original version but not signed, it must be notarised before it can be apostilled. We will verify its authenticity and attach a notarial certificate.
- Photocopy of Articles: For photocopies, we will also need to notarise the document before obtaining an apostille. We will confirm its authenticity and provide a notarial certificate.
- Electronic Articles: If issued electronically, we will need to notarise the document. Please provide the original email containing the articles as a PDF, and we will verify it before attaching a notarial certificate to the printed version.
- Obtaining the Apostille: We will submit your articles to the FCDO for apostille on either a Premium or Standard service basis. If embassy legalisation is needed, we can handle that following the apostille process.
- Completion and Delivery: Once everything is processed, we will email you a PDF scan of your document and return the original by your preferred method—collection, post, or courier.
Our experienced notaries will conduct all necessary checks and issue a notarial certification. We submit your articles to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for apostille at either their London (Premium Service) or Milton Keynes (Standard Service) locations. We offer a same-day service for urgent requests and a standard service for those who are not pressed for time.
If you need your articles of association notarised or legalised with an apostille or embassy service, we are here to provide exceptional support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Articles of Association
Why do I need my articles of association notarised and apostilled?
If you’re conducting business abroad, authorities may require notarised and apostilled articles to ensure legal recognition of your company’s details.
How can articles of association be issued?
Articles can be issued in several formats: original signed documents, original unsigned documents, photocopies, or electronic formats.
What is the process to notarise and apostille articles of association?
The process involves contacting us, submitting the necessary documents, notarisation (if required), obtaining the apostille from the FCDO, and receiving the final document via your preferred delivery method.
How long does it take to receive an apostille?
Our same-day Premium Service provides a quick turnaround for urgent needs, while the standard service typically takes 3-5 working days.
Can I submit a photocopy of my articles of association?
No, only original documents can be notarised and apostilled. Photocopies are not valid for legal proceedings.
Do I need a translation of my articles of association?
If you are conducting business in a non-English speaking country, you may need to provide a translation. We can assist with that as well.
What fees are associated with notarising articles of association?
Fees vary based on the specific services required. Contact us for a detailed quote.