A UK company may be asked to provide its Memorandum and Articles of Association when opening a foreign bank account, registering a branch abroad, entering into overseas contracts or completing corporate due diligence.
Foreign banks and authorities often want to check how the company is structured, what powers it has and how it is governed. If these documents are being used outside the UK, they may need to be legalised with an apostille before they can be accepted.
The correct process depends on the document format and the requirements of the receiving authority.
What are the Memorandum and Articles of Association?
The Memorandum and Articles of Association are key company documents.
The Memorandum confirms that the original subscribers agreed to form the company. The Articles of Association set out the company’s internal rules, including how directors are appointed, how decisions are made and how shares may be handled.
Together, these documents help show how a UK company is formed and governed.
Can Memorandum and Articles be apostilled?
Yes. Memorandum and Articles of Association can often be apostilled, but they may need to be issued or certified in a suitable format first.
If the documents are official Companies House documents with the correct authentication, they may be suitable for legalisation. If they are basic downloads, printed copies or internal company copies, solicitor or notary certification may be required before the apostille can be added.
The apostille confirms the recognised signature, stamp or seal. It does not confirm the commercial status, trading activity or financial position of the company.
When might you need these documents apostilled?
You may need apostilled Memorandum and Articles of Association for:
- opening a foreign business bank account
- registering a branch or representative office abroad
- setting up a subsidiary
- overseas tax registration
- corporate due diligence
- tender applications
- licensing or permit applications
- property purchases through a UK company
- overseas contracts
- notarial procedures abroad
Foreign banks are often particularly strict about corporate document format, so it is important to follow their instructions closely.
Companies House copy or company copy?
There may be different versions of the Memorandum and Articles available.
A company may have its own internal copy. Companies House may also hold filed versions of the documents. Some companies may have amended Articles after incorporation.
A foreign authority may ask for the current Articles of Association, the incorporation documents or a Companies House certified copy. These are not always the same thing.
Before arranging legalisation, check exactly which version is required.
Why certification may be needed
If the documents are printed from Companies House or from company records, they may not contain a verifiable signature, stamp or seal for apostille purposes.
A UK solicitor or notary can certify the copy as a true copy or certify the document in a suitable form. The apostille can then be attached to that certification.
This step is especially important where the documents are being submitted to a bank, notary, government office or corporate registry abroad.
Do you need a certified Companies House document?
Some foreign authorities prefer or require documents certified by Companies House. Others may accept solicitor-certified or notarised copies.
A certified Companies House document can help show that the document comes from the official UK company registry. However, it may not always replace the need for apostille or further legalisation.
You should check whether the receiving authority has asked for a Companies House certified document, a solicitor-certified copy, a notarised copy or a full legalised corporate pack.
Do you need other company documents?
Memorandum and Articles are often requested alongside other company documents.
You may also need:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Certificate of Good Standing
- Companies House company profile
- current appointment report
- register of directors
- register of shareholders
- board resolution
- shareholder resolution
- company power of attorney
- proof of registered office
Each document may need its own certification, apostille or translation depending on the requirement.
Do the documents need to be recent?
The Memorandum and Articles themselves may not expire, but the receiving authority may still ask for recently certified copies.
This is common with foreign banks and corporate registries. They may want documents issued or certified within the last three or six months.
If your Articles have been amended, make sure the version you submit is current and matches the company’s records.
Do you need a translation?
If the documents are being used in a country where English is not accepted, a certified translation may be required.
The correct order can vary. Some authorities want the documents apostilled first and then translated. Others may ask for the translation itself to be certified or legalised.
Corporate translations can be detailed, so it is important to confirm whether the full document must be translated or whether selected pages are enough.
Will an apostille be enough?
In many countries, an apostille is enough for UK company documents to be accepted. However, some countries may require further embassy or consular legalisation after the apostille.
This depends on the destination country, bank, notary or authority requesting the documents.
Before submitting the documents abroad, check whether an apostille alone is sufficient.
Common reasons for delays
Applications may be delayed if the documents are basic downloads, if the wrong version of the Articles has been used, or if the certification is incomplete.
There may also be delays if the receiving authority requested current Articles but the company submits older incorporation documents, or if a translation or further legalisation step is missing.
Checking the requirement before certification can help avoid rejection.
How 12 Apostille can help
12 Apostille can help you prepare and legalise UK Memorandum and Articles of Association for overseas use. We can advise whether your documents appear suitable for apostille, whether Companies House certification, solicitor certification or notarisation may be needed, and whether translation or further legalisation may be required.
This helps reduce the risk of delays and makes sure your company documents are prepared correctly before they are submitted abroad.
Final checklist
Before arranging an apostille for Memorandum and Articles of Association, check whether the receiving authority requires the current Articles, incorporation documents, a Companies House certified copy or a solicitor-certified version.
You should also check whether other company documents are needed, whether the documents must be recently certified, whether a translation is required and whether the destination country accepts an apostille only or asks for further legalisation.
Preparing the correct company documents from the start can help avoid delays with overseas banking, registration, contracts or corporate procedures.