Updated
GL-G-06
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- What it is
- A certificate that the company exists and has met its formal obligations
- What it confirms
- No arrears on reporting and fees, no winding-up proceedings
- Who asks for it
- Banks, counterparties, registrars, parties to transactions
- Validity
- A document no older than one to three months is usually accepted
- If it is not issued
- It means the company has unmet obligations — this needs to be resolved
02 / In plain words
What Good Standing means
A certificate of good standing is a certificate that a company exists, is properly registered and has met its formal obligations to the state: it has filed its reports, paid its duties and fees, and is not in the process of being wound up or struck off the register.
Unlike the certificate of incorporation, which records the fact of creation, this certificate shows the company’s current standing as at the date of issue. That is why it is requested by banks when opening an account, by counterparties before a major transaction and by registrars when subsidiaries are set up — what matters to them is the current state of affairs, not history.
A practical point: if the certificate is not issued, that is a signal. It means the company has unmet obligations — overdue reports, unpaid fees, problems with the registered agent. Such things surface at the worst possible moment: when opening an account, during a transaction or in programme due diligence. It is sensible to check status regularly, not on demand.
A case from practice
While preparing for filing, it emerged that one of the client’s companies was listed as having overdue reports. Restoring its status took time and money, and it was discovered by chance — when an ordinary certificate was requested.
When the certificate is needed
- Opening a company bank account
- A large deal with a counterparty
- Setting up a subsidiary
- Taking part in a tender
- Proof of source of income
- Selling or restructuring the business
03 / What it covers
What the document confirms
Existence
- The company is on the register
- Not wound up
- Not struck off
Obligations
- Reports filed
- Duties paid
- Fees paid
Details
- Name and number
- Date of issue of the certificate
- Jurisdiction
Use
- How recent the document is
- Apostille where required
- Sworn translation
04 / How it works
How to obtain and use it
Check the company’s status
Clear any arrears
Request the certificate from the registrar
Apostille and translation
Submit to the recipient
05 / Key facts
What you need to know
01
The certificate reflects standing as at the date of issue
02
Recipients usually require a recent document
03
Refusal to issue means there are arrears
04
Use abroad requires an apostille and translation
05
It is worth checking the company’s status regularly yourself
Common mistakes
- Finding out about arrears in the middle of an urgent transaction
- Filing an out-of-date certificate
- Treating the certificate of incorporation as a substitute for this certificate
- Not paying the registered agent’s fees on time
- Not checking the status of the companies in the structure before applying for a programme
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
The status of the companies in your structure is checked once a year on your own initiative, without waiting to be asked. Annual formalities — reports, duties, the agent’s fees — are put in the calendar. If a transaction or a programme application is planned, certificates are ordered in advance, allowing time for the apostille and translation.
What we do for you. Before applying for a programme, we check the status of every company in the client’s structure. A company in arrears is an unnecessary question in the check, and restoring status always takes longer than maintaining it.
Anna KovalevskayaLead lawyer for EU citizenship and residency, 12 years of practice
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
A certificate that a company exists, is properly registered and has met its formal obligations to the state.
The certificate of incorporation records the fact of creation. The certificate of good standing shows the company’s current standing as at the date of issue.
It means there are unmet obligations: overdue reports, unpaid fees or problems with the agent. They need to be resolved.
Recipients usually accept a document no older than one to three months. The exact requirements depend on the bank or authority.
For use abroad — as a rule, yes, together with a sworn translation under the rules of the receiving country.
Once a year, on your own initiative. It takes little time and means you do not find out about problems in the middle of an urgent transaction.
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