Why this certificate gets a page of its own
Because it is the document that opens the file and the one that most often delays it. Without it there is no branch registration, no bank account and no bid for a public contract. And because its name varies enough between countries that plenty of people order the wrong document or assume it does not exist in their jurisdiction.
What it evidences, whatever it is called
Always the same three things: that the company exists, that it is registered in its home registry, and that it is up to date with its filing obligations. It is, in practice, a company's certificate of life.
| Jurisdiction | Usual name | Issued by |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Certificate of good standing / of existence / of status | Secretary of State of the state of incorporation |
| United Kingdom | Certificate of good standing | Companies House |
| Canada (federal) | Certificate of compliance | Corporations Canada |
| Canada (provincial) | Certificate of status | Provincial registry |
If your certificate says something else but evidences those three points, it is the document. And if it says less — for instance, only that the company is registered, without addressing whether it is up to date — flag it beforehand, because the notary may want a fuller one.
The apostille, and the level mistake that costs weeks
This certificate generally needs a Hague apostille to take effect in Spain. And this is where most time is lost, especially with US documents.
In the United States the split is clear and counter-intuitive: a document issued by a state — and a certificate of good standing is one — is apostilled by that same state, not by the federal Department of State. Anyone who sends a Delaware certificate to Washington gets it back and starts again.
In Canada, since the country began issuing apostilles in 2024, the split follows the same logic: Global Affairs Canada for federal documents, the provincial authority for provincial ones.
In the United Kingdom, the FCDO.
And the ordering rule, which does not change: apostille first, translate second. The apostille is part of the document and is translated with it.
What we translate
The certificate in full: registry heading and seals, the company's exact name, registration number, state or jurisdiction of incorporation, date of incorporation, the statement of good standing or compliance, the registrar's signature and the apostille.
Two principles we apply, worth knowing:
We do not equate company forms. A Delaware LLC is not a Spanish S.L., nor a British Ltd, nor an Inc. The original designation is kept and a translator's note added where needed. Company form determines liability and regime, and the notary needs to know which one is in front of them, not a convenient approximation.
We keep the company name character for character. If the company is "ACME Holdings, LLC", that is how it appears. Company names are neither translated nor adapted: they identify a specific legal person in a specific registry.
Spanish procedures where it is filed
- Opening a branch or incorporating a subsidiary in Spain.
- Registration at the Commercial Registry.
- Notarial deeds executed by the foreign company.
- Opening a bank account in the company's name.
- Public tenders, where the panel requires evidence of legal personality and capacity.
- Applying for a non-resident entity NIF.
What almost always goes with it
Registering a branch is rarely resolved with a single document. You will typically also need:
- The parent company's articles of association.
- The board resolution deciding to open the branch and appointing a representative.
- The power of attorney in favour of whoever will act in Spain.
All translated, and nearly all apostilled. Our recommendation is the usual one: ask the notary or the registry for the full list before commissioning anything and send the whole set at once. It is better value and avoids finding out halfway through that a piece is missing.
Delivery format and turnaround
We deliver a PDF with a qualified electronic signature, valid before Spanish notaries and registries, at no shipping cost. If the Commercial Registry or the notary prefers paper, you can add a physical copy.
The certificate usually runs to one page, so it fits the shortest turnarounds. The accompanying articles of association are another matter: the quote tool calculates on the actual documents you upload.
Mistakes we head off
- Requesting the apostille at the wrong level in the United States: the state issues it, not the federal government.
- Requesting the certificate too early, when it evidences a position as at its date of issue.
- Translating only the certificate and finding the registry also wanted articles and a power of attorney.
- Translating before apostilling.
- Equating LLC with S.L., or Ltd with S.A., instead of keeping and explaining.
Related pages
A branch file usually pairs this certificate with the articles of association and the power of attorney. For the procedure by country of the parent, see our guides to opening a branch from the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.