How to apostille a Companies House document
A Companies House document intended for foreign official use may need an FCDO apostille. The recipient must first confirm the document, certification, signature, and apostille format it will accept.
Start with the receiving authority
Ask the foreign bank, registry, court, or counterparty whether it needs the original document or a certified copy, a paper apostille or an eligible e-Apostille, and whether each document needs its own apostille.
An apostille verifies the relevant signature, stamp, or seal for international use. It does not replace the underlying company document and does not confirm the company's current status by itself.
Order the Companies House product correctly
Companies House says a document intended for FCDO legalization must carry the original signature of a British public official. Request the certified certificate or certified filed document in the form required for legalization rather than relying on an ordinary filing-history download.
The Companies House dispatch stage and the later FCDO legalization stage are separate. Allow for authority processing, dispatch, delivery to the Legalisation Office, apostille processing, and final return delivery.
Submit to the UK Legalisation Office
The Legalisation Office checks that the document's signature, stamp, or seal matches its records. If accepted, it attaches an apostille. Current fees and available service levels should be checked immediately before submission.
Recommended ordering sequence
- 01Get the recipient's document and apostille requirements in writing.
- 02Order the correct Companies House certified product with the required original signature.
- 03Choose paper or eligible electronic legalization based on recipient acceptance.
- 04Submit the eligible document to the UK Legalisation Office.
- 05Track the certified document, apostille, and international delivery as separate stages.
Common questions
Can I apostille a free Companies House download?
Do not assume so. Companies House says FCDO legalization requires an original British public-official signature, so the correct certified product must be requested.
Does the apostille prove the company is active?
No. It authenticates the relevant official signature, stamp, or seal. The underlying company certificate supplies the company information.
Can every recipient accept an e-Apostille?
No. Confirm acceptance with the recipient before selecting the electronic format.