How to get a certificate of incorporation (United Kingdom company extract)
Free, official, source-cited — updated 2026-06.
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How do I get an official company extract in United Kingdom?
An official United Kingdom certificate of incorporation is issued by Companies House at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house. Free public search covers most verification needs; a paid certified certificate of incorporation is normally only required for banking, tenders, court filings or notarised transactions.
Step-by-step
- 1
Confirm the entity first
Search by name or registration number and confirm you have the right legal entity before paying for anything.
- 2
Decide whether you need a certified copy
For internal due diligence, the free public record is usually sufficient. Certified extracts are for banks, tender submissions, courts and notaries.
- 3
Request the extract from Companies House
Extracts are issued by the register itself at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house. Third parties cannot issue a certified document.
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house - 4
Check the issue date
Most counterparties require an extract issued within the last three months, so request it close to when you need to submit it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a paid extract to verify a United Kingdom company?
Usually not. The free public record from Companies House confirms legal name, registration number, status and registered address. A certified extract is only needed when a bank, court or tender explicitly requires one.
What does a United Kingdom company extract contain?
Typically the legal name, registration number, incorporation date, registered address, entity type and current status — the same core fields visible in the free record, but issued as an official document.
Can a third-party site issue an official extract?
No. Only Companies House can issue a certified extract for United Kingdom. Third-party tools help you find and monitor the record, not certify it.
How do I look up a UK company?
You can search by company name or registration number. Companies House provides free public access to all registered company data including directors, filing history, and accounts. Enter a name above to try it.
People also ask about get an official company extract in United Kingdom
The exact questions searchers type into Google — answered from the primary source.
Is the United Kingdom company register free to search?
Yes. Basic company lookups on the Companies House are free — you can search by company name or registration number, view legal status, registered address and (usually) directors at no cost. Some jurisdictions charge a small fee only for downloading full filed documents.
What is the official United Kingdom business registry?
The Companies House is the official public register of companies incorporated in United Kingdom. It is operated by the government and is the primary source cited on this page — https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house.
Related guides and tools
More United Kingdom guides
- Search companies by name
Find any registered company from a partial name — free, no signup.
- Search the company register
What the official register holds, and how to search it free.
- Search the business registry
Match a trading name to the registered legal entity behind it.
- Find the right entity
Tell apart several entities registered under near-identical names.
United Kingdom data
- United Kingdom company search
Search every Companies House record.
- Companies House guide
Companies House (UK)