Need Companies House documents for a foreign bank or authority? Learn which UK company records may be requested and whether certification, translation or legalisation may be required.

Foreign banks and authorities may ask for Companies House documents when a UK company needs to open an overseas bank account, register abroad, prove ownership, sign contracts, submit tenders or complete tax checks. These documents help confirm that the company exists, who manages it and who has significant control.

Before sending Companies House records overseas, check whether basic downloads are accepted or whether certified, legalised or translated documents are required.

Why foreign banks ask for Companies House documents

Foreign banks may request Companies House documents to complete due diligence and know-your-business checks.

They may want to confirm:

• Company name
• Company number
• Date of incorporation
• Registered office address
• Company status
• Directors
• Shareholders
• Persons with significant control
• Company rules
• Signing authority
• Business activity

The exact document list depends on the bank, country and account type.

Common Companies House documents requested

Foreign banks and authorities may ask for:

• Certificate of incorporation
• Current appointments report
• Confirmation statement
• Articles of association
• Company profile
• Filing history
• PSC details
• Shareholder information
• Certificate of good standing, if available or requested
• Certified Companies House documents

Always check the authority’s exact wording before ordering or preparing records.

Certificate of incorporation

A certificate of incorporation proves that the UK company was formed. It is often requested for foreign bank accounts, branch registration, tenders and contracts.

However, it does not always prove the company is currently active. A bank may also ask for current company information.

Current appointments report

A current appointments report can help show the company’s current officers, such as directors and secretaries.

It may be requested to confirm:

• Who manages the company
• Who can represent the company
• Whether a director matches the passport provided
• Whether signing authority is supported
• Whether company details are current

Foreign banks may ask for this alongside passport copies and a board resolution.

Confirmation statement

A confirmation statement can help show recent company information filed with Companies House.

It may include or support details about:

• Registered office
• Share capital
• Shareholder information
• Persons with significant control
• Standard industrial classification codes
• Company status

Check whether the bank wants the latest filed confirmation statement or a certified current record.

Articles of association

Articles of association set out the company’s internal rules. Foreign banks, notaries or lawyers may ask for them when they need to check company powers or signing authority.

They may be requested for:

• Bank account opening
• Overseas contracts
• Branch registration
• Property transactions
• Distributor agreements
• Powers of attorney
• Tenders

If the articles are long, ask whether the full document is required.

PSC and shareholder information

Foreign banks often need to understand beneficial ownership. They may ask for PSC and shareholder information to identify who ultimately controls the company.

Documents may include:

• PSC register details
• Confirmation statement
• Shareholder list
• Register of members
• Share certificates
• Ownership chart
• Director declaration
• Accountant letter

Check whether the bank needs Companies House records only or internal company registers as well.

Board resolution

A board resolution is not a Companies House document in the usual sense, but it is often requested with Companies House records. It can show that the company has approved a specific action.

For example, a resolution may approve:

• Opening a foreign bank account
• Appointing an authorised signatory
• Granting a power of attorney
• Signing a contract
• Registering a branch abroad
• Entering a financing arrangement

The resolution may need signature, certification, notarisation, legalisation or translation.

Director identity documents

Foreign banks usually ask for identity documents for directors, shareholders or authorised signatories.

These may include:

• Passport copies
• Proof of address
• Tax identification documents
• Residence permits
• Signature specimens
• Professional contact details

Check whether passport copies must be certified, notarised, legalised or translated.

Certified Companies House documents

Some foreign banks and authorities do not accept ordinary downloads. They may ask for certified Companies House documents or documents certified by a solicitor or notary.

Ask whether they require:

• Companies House certified copy
• Solicitor-certified copy
• Notarised copy
• Certified company profile
• Certified certificate of incorporation
• Certified articles
• Certified current appointments report

The certification route matters if legalisation is also required.

Legalisation requirements

Companies House documents may need legalisation before they are accepted abroad. Legalisation confirms the authenticity of the signature, stamp or seal on the document or certification.

Before arranging legalisation, check whether the bank wants:

• Certified Companies House document legalised
• Solicitor-certified copy legalised
• Notarised document legalised
• Board resolution legalised
• Passport copies legalised

Legalising the wrong version can cause delays.

Embassy attestation

For some countries, UK legalisation may not be the final step. Embassy or consular attestation may also be required for company documents, powers of attorney, bank documents or branch registration papers.

Ask the foreign bank or local lawyer whether embassy attestation is required.

Translation requirements

If the foreign bank or authority does not accept English documents, certified or sworn translation may be needed.

Ask:

• Which documents need translation?
• Which language is required?
• Is certified translation accepted?
• Is sworn translation required?
• Should legalisation happen before translation?
• Should company numbers and names remain unchanged?
• Should stamps and signatures be translated?

Use consistent company details across all translated documents.

Check document dates

Foreign banks often require recent company documents. A document may be rejected if it is too old, even if the company details are still correct.

Ask whether documents must be issued within:

• The last 30 days
• The last three months
• The last six months
• A specific period before account opening

Recent evidence may be especially important for company status, directors and shareholders.

Companies House document checklist

Before submitting documents to a foreign bank or authority, check:

• Which Companies House documents are required?
• Are basic downloads accepted?
• Are certified documents needed?
• Is a certificate of incorporation required?
• Is current company status evidence required?
• Are director and shareholder details needed?
• Is a board resolution required?
• Do documents need translation?
• Do documents need legalisation?
• Is embassy attestation required?

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoid these mistakes when preparing Companies House documents for overseas use:

• Sending basic downloads when certified records are required
• Forgetting current appointments information
• Assuming incorporation proves current status
• Missing shareholder or PSC evidence
• Forgetting a board resolution
• Sending uncertified passport copies
• Missing translation
• Missing legalisation
• Legalising the wrong document version
• Using documents that are too old for the bank’s rules

Final thoughts

Foreign banks and authorities may ask for Companies House documents to verify a UK company’s existence, structure, management and ownership. Common records include the certificate of incorporation, articles of association, current appointments report, confirmation statement and PSC details.

Before submitting, confirm whether documents must be certified, legalised, translated or recently issued. Preparing the correct company pack can help avoid delays with overseas banking, registration or business approvals.

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