Direct answer
GOV.UK lists constitutional and capital/guarantee documents as part of the formation process, depending on company type.
What the official guidance says
The certificate of incorporation confirms that the company legally exists and records the company number and date of formation.
Certificate of Incorporation in UK
Source: GOV.UK / Companies House guidance, via our in-depth guides:
Documents & Filing Checklist checklist for UK
- Prepare the required memorandum and articles.
- Prepare the statement of capital or guarantee as applicable.
- Review the company records that must be retained.
- Ensure the filed documents match the chosen structure.
- Store the certificate securely.
- Use the company number consistently across records.
- Set up the corporate records required after formation.
- Do not treat incorporation as completion of all compliance duties.
Practical focus
Use this page as a document-control checklist: distinguish documents explicitly requested by the authority from supporting material requested by a service provider.
Frequently asked questions
Which authority controls documents & filing checklist in UK?
GOV.UK / Companies House is the primary authority for the guidance on this page. Other authorities can be involved depending on your activity; re-check the official source before acting.
How we write our guidesWe summarise official guidance and link to it. We do not publish fees, timelines or approval promises unless the authority does. Read our methodology.