Whether it is for an acquisition, refinancing, or starting a business overseas, gathering documents from multiple jurisdictions following varying local procedures can be highly administrative and time-consuming.

Different jurisdictions have a variety of official documents that are available to evidence a company's business eligibility and prove compliance.

For instance, companies that are looking to establish an entity in China are required to process or check approximately 15 to 20 official documents, while there is an average of 11 documents that are necessary in the Czech Republic. And, to obtain copies of corporate documents in Canada, companies need to submit a written request to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

These official corporate documents are often requested as part of the due diligence process for new business relationships or acquisitions; but it can be complicated to fully understand when searching for the correct documents to achieve goals.

Below are some of the documents and explanations to what they are.

  • Certificate of Good Standing confirms that a legal entity is correctly registered in that country. It usually provides information of the legal entity, including the full name, registration number, registered capital, registered address, business scope, business term and shareholder.
  • Certificate of Incorporation confirms that a legal entity is correctly registered in that country. It usually provides the full name and registered number of the legal entity as well as date of incorporation.
  • Articles of Association are the bylaws of a company. A document which defines the name and the home municipality of the company, the kind of business to be undertaken and the rights to represent the company, etc. It provides the internal regulations for a company, such as, rules governing the holding of meetings, appointment of directors and share transfer. The certificate is used for a number of reasons including due diligence, proof of establishment and banking arrangements. The actual information included on the certificate will vary depending upon different jurisdictions.
  • Certificate of Compliance confirms a legal entity is in force, regular and full compliance. It certifies that the company exists; has filed the required annual return, and has paid all required fees.
  • Proof of Formation confirms that a legal entity is correctly registered in that country. It usually provides the full name and registered number of the legal entity. The excerpt may include statutory filing information (last financial statements, submissions etc.) but it does not specifically confirm that an entity is compliant with its statutory obligations. It is used for a number of reasons including due diligence, proof of establishment and banking arrangements. The actual information included on the excerpt is often information that is available to the general public and will vary depending upon the jurisdiction.
  • Entity status check verifies public information and confirms that the entity is formally registered with the authorities, as most jurisdictions maintain and make publicly available a list of all registered entities.
  • Financial Statements are copies of signed accounts filed annually.

Having correct and accurate documentation can help companies avoid the back-and-forth revision of documents that may result in delays.

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The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.