How to Get a Certificate of Incorporation From Companies House

Last updated: September 7, 2026 5 min read

A certificate of incorporation is one of the most important documents your new company will receive. It’s the official proof from Companies House that your company legally exists, and you’ll need it to open a business bank account.

UK Certificate of Incorporation for a private limited company, issued by the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales, showing a company number and confirmation of registration under the Companies Act 2006.

Written by: Robert Engeham

Managing Director, Your Company Formations

Key Highlights

An incorporation certificate serves as your company’s primary legal identification document, certifying its registration as a separate legal entity distinct from its owners.
It includes vital company information such as the registered name, registration number, incorporation date, type of company, and issuing registrar.
You can obtain a certificate of incorporation by incorporating your company online, by post, or through a company formation agent. Each method has its own procedure and requirements.

Your Certificate of Incorporation Is Legal Proof Your Company Exists

The certificate of incorporation is a legal document that serves as your company’s official birth certificate. It is conclusive evidence under Section 15 of the Companies Act 2006 that the company has been legally registered in the UK. You need the certificate to prove your business is registered with Companies House.

What company details are on the certificate?

The Registrar of Companies includes the following details on every certificate:

Full registered company name
The unique Company Registration Number(CRN)
Date of incorporation
Type of company (e.g., private company limited by shares or company limited by guarantee)
Jurisdiction of the registered office (e.g., England and Wales)
Official seal of Companies House or the signature of the registrar

The certificate does not show the name of any company director, shareholder details, or the registered office address. Companies House database holds director, shareholder, and registered office details on the public register of companies.

When Will You Need Your Certificate of Incorporation?

Opening a business bank account is the most common reason you will need your certificate of incorporation. Banks require the document as compulsory evidence of your company’s legal status and use it to verify your business is legitimate and compliant with regulatory requirements.

The certificate is also required for:

Registering for taxes: Applying for Corporation Tax, VAT (if turnover exceeds £90,000), and PAYE with HMRC.
Applying for finance: Securing business loans, commercial mortgages, or grants.
Signing legal agreements: Entering into contracts, leasing property, or onboarding major suppliers.
Due diligence: Proving legal status to investors or buyers during a company sale.
International trade: Establishing an overseas branch or opening a foreign bank account.

Set Up a Limited Company and Get Your Certificate of Incorporation In the UK

You receive your certificate of incorporation as soon as Companies House approves your application to register a company. There are three ways to do this.

1. Register Online Through Companies House

Cost: £100 (as of 1 February 2026)
Timeframe: Within 24 hours
Process: Use the GOV.UK online service to set up a limited company. Companies House sends a certificate of incorporation as a digital PDF to your email once the company is registered. This is the fastest route for standard private limited companies.

2. Register by Post Using Form IN01

Cost: £124 (as of 1 February 2026)
Timeframe: 8-10 working days
Process: This paper application is required if you are forming a Public Limited Company (PLC) or using bespoke articles of association. You will be sent a certificate of incorporation by post.

3. Use a Company Formation Agent

Cost: Agent fee + £100 Companies House fee
Timeframe: Same day to 24 hours
Process: A company formation agent, such as Your Company Formations, handles the entire application electronically. We check your company details, ensure compliance, and submit directly to Companies House, often resulting in the fastest possible incorporation.

PLCs and CICs Have Stricter Certificate Requirements

While all certificates look similar, the company type stated on them has significant legal implications.

Private Limited Company (Ltd): The Standard Path

A private limited company is the most common type of company in the UK. The certificate states it is a “private company, limited by shares.” This company type requires no minimum share capital, and the new company can begin trading immediately after Companies House incorporates it.

Public Limited Company|PLC): The Two-Certificate Requirement

A PLC’s certificate states it is a “public company, limited by shares.” However, a PLC cannot legally trade or borrow money until it obtains a separate Trading Certificate. The second certificate confirms the PLC has a minimum of £50,000 of allotted share capital. Trading without a Trading Certificate is a criminal offence.

Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)

The Limited Liability Partnerships Act 2000 governs an LLP. The LLP’s incorporation document is officially titled a “Certificate of Incorporation on Formation” and confirms the LLP is registered at Companies House as a separate legal entity.

Community Interest Company (CIC)

A CIC is a limited company for social enterprises. Before Companies House issues a certificate of incorporation, the CIC Regulator must first approve the application, making it the only type of company that requires dual approval.

Lost Your Certificate? How to Get a Replacement Copy

If you lose your original certificate, you have two options for getting a replacement.

Download a Free Digital Copy

Anyone can download a free PDF certificate for any company.

Go to the Companies House ‘Find and update company information‘ service.
Search for your company name or number.
Select the “Filing history” tab.
Scroll to the first entry, labelled “Incorporation,” and click “View PDF.”

This digital copy is sufficient for most UK business needs, such as opening a bank account.

Order a Certified Copy from Companies House

For legal or international use, you may need a paper certified copy. A certified certificate of incorporation serves the same legal purpose as the original.

Standard Service (£22): Takes up to 10 working days.
Express Service (£65): Same-day service if ordered before 11 am.

To order a certified copy of the original incorporation certificate, you must call Companies House on 0303 1234 500 and provide your CRN number.

Using Your Certificate Abroad: The Apostille Process

To use your certificate of incorporation in another country for legal matters, you must get it legalised with an apostille. An apostille is a certificate issued by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office|FCDO that verifies the document’s signature is genuine. Foreign authorities in countries that are part of the 1961 Hague Convention will accept an apostilled document as legally valid.

The FCDO can only issue an apostille on a paper-certified copy of your certificate of incorporation, signed by an official at Companies House. The FCDO cannot legalise a standard digital PDF.

The process is:

Order a certified copy of your incorporation document from Companies House (£22).
Submit the certified copy to the FCDO Legalisation Office for an apostille (£45 plus courier fees).

Certificate of Incorporation vs. Other Key Company Documents

It’s easy to confuse the certificate with other documents you receive when you form your company.

Articles of Association: The certificate proves the company exists; the articles define how the company operates.
Memorandum of Association: The certificate is official proof of existence; the memorandum is a historical statement showing the first shareholders’ intent to form the company.
Certificate of Good Standing: The certificate of incorporation is a one-time “birth certificate”; a certificate of good standing is a periodic “health check” confirming the company is compliant with its filing duties.

Get Your Certificate of Incorporation in 24 Hours

Ready to register your company and get your certificate of incorporation? With Your Company Formations, you can form your company online in minutes. We handle all the paperwork with Companies House, including digital copies of your official documents, and can register your new company in as little as 24 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions on Certificate of Incorporation

Do I need a new certificate of incorporation if I change my company name?

When you change your company name, Companies House issues and emails you a new document called a ‘Certificate of Incorporation on Change of Name’. The new certificate shows your company number, your old name, and your new name. Your original certificate of incorporation, company registration number, and incorporation date do not change.

Article byRobert Engeham

Robert Engeham is Founder and CEO of Your Company Formations and an expert in UK company formation, Companies House compliance and business startups. Having worked with thousands of entrepreneurs from the UK and overseas, Robert regularly provides commentary on entrepreneurship, regulatory reform, corporate governance and the practical challenges facing growing businesses. His work focuses on making complex business topics easier to understand while helping founders build stronger businesses from day one.