Document types
Company registration certificateApostille basics
Also called: certificate of incorporation, extract from the commercial register, certificate of good standing, trade register extract.
The document
What it is
An extract or certificate from the commercial or company register showing that a company exists, its details and who may represent it.
Usually issued by: The company or commercial register.
The rule
Can it get an apostille?
Yes. It comes from an authority, so it is a public document under Article 1 of the Apostille Convention. The apostille is issued in the country that issued the company registration certificate.
Article 1 of the Apostille Convention (Hague Conference on Private International Law) lists the public documents it covers: court documents, administrative documents, notarial acts and certificates that an authority places on private documents.
Step by step
How to get an apostille for a company registration certificate
- Get the original, or a certified extract, from the office that issued it.
- Apply for the apostille in the same country, at the office that country has designated for this kind of document.
- Check with the office that will receive it whether it also needs a translation.
The office, fee and steps differ by country. Open the guide for the country that issued the document, or check two countries to see whether an apostille works where you need it.
Note: Good to know
- Receiving offices often want a recent extract, issued within the last few months.
Country guides
Offices that list this document
The apostille office in these countries names this kind of document on its own website. Each guide shows the office, fee and steps.
Questions
Questions about a company registration certificate
What is a company registration certificate?
An extract or certificate from the commercial or company register showing that a company exists, its details and who may represent it.
Can a company registration certificate get an apostille?
Yes. It comes from an authority, so it is a public document under Article 1 of the Apostille Convention. The apostille is issued in the country that issued the company registration certificate.
How do I get an apostille for a company registration certificate?
Get the original, or a certified extract, from the office that issued it. Apply for the apostille in the same country, at the office that country has designated for this kind of document. Check with the office that will receive it whether it also needs a translation.
What does the apostille confirm?
An apostille only confirms the signature, the role of the person who signed and any seal or stamp on the document. It does not confirm what the document says. The office that receives the document decides what it accepts.
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