Which document do you need to use?

The answer differs for a limited liability partnership (LLP), an ordinary limited partnership (LP) and a Scottish limited partnership (SLP). An LLP is incorporated and has members and designated members. An LP has general and limited partners and is registered under a different regime. A Scottish LP has separate legal personality under Scots law, but its partner roles remain those of a limited partnership. A certificate or filing from one structure cannot simply be renamed for another.

Tell Coddan the partnership's name and registration number, the document requested, the receiving country and the person or authority that will use it. Send the recipient's written requirements if you have them. Coddan can then establish whether you need an official register document, a private partnership record, evidence of authority, a translation, notarisation, an apostille or a consular step. Some requests need only one document and no authentication chain.

Official records and private partnership documents

An LLP's certificate of incorporation records its creation. A limited partnership receives registration evidence when Companies House accepts its registration. A Companies House filing or certified copy can show what was filed or recorded, but it does not establish every private right, current instruction, financial position or authority to sign.

An LLP agreement or limited-partnership agreement records arrangements among the relevant members or partners. Minutes, written decisions, mandates and powers of attorney may help show who authorised a particular act. These are private documents unless a particular instrument has also been filed. Coddan first checks their source, date, version, signatories and the purpose for which the recipient will rely on them. It will not create a historical resolution or certify a disputed fact as settled.

An overseas request for a “certificate of good standing” needs particular care. Companies House's current summary-statement conditions describe a product for qualifying private or public limited companies. Do not assume that the same official certificate can be ordered for an LLP or limited partnership. Coddan will ask what the recipient means by that phrase and identify the available registration, filing or professional evidence that the recipient will accept. A certificate cannot guarantee tax compliance, solvency or an overseas bank's decision.

Does the document need an apostille or another step?

An apostille is an official authentication of a qualifying UK signature, seal or stamp. It does not confirm that a private partnership agreement is enforceable or that the recipient will accept the document. For a Companies House document intended for FCDO legalisation, Companies House says an original public official's signature is required and identifies the certified certificate or certified-copy ordering route. The right submission depends on the document actually ordered and the current Legalisation Office requirements.

A receiving authority may instead require a notary to witness a signature, verify a copy or make a statement about authority. Translation may be needed before or after notarisation according to the recipient's rules. Embassy or consular legalisation applies where the relevant country or institution requires it. Coddan can coordinate an accepted chain through its notaries, translators and document service, but it will confirm the required order of steps rather than applying every step to every partnership.

Common requests

• **Prove that the partnership was formed or registered.** Start with the LLP incorporation certificate or the applicable LP/SLP registration evidence and ask whether an original, certified copy or further authentication is required.
• **Show who may act for it.** Distinguish LLP membership or designated status from authority under the LLP agreement; for an LP or SLP, distinguish general-partner authority from limited-partner participation. A register entry alone may not answer a particular signing question.
• **Show the partnership's working terms.** Identify the operative signed agreement, amendments and any specific decision or power relied on. Private rights may require legal advice where their effect is disputed.
• **Use records for an overseas registration or transaction.** Collect the receiving institution's document list, required age of documents, acceptable language and required certification chain before ordering copies.
• **Use a document issued while the partnership had a different status.** Check the date and registration history. Dissolution, restoration, a name change or a partner change can alter what the document proves at the date of the transaction.

How Coddan handles the request

Coddan identifies the requested fact, checks the partnership type and document source, and confirms what it can obtain or prepare. It then sets out which professional acts are needed, who will perform them, the third-party charges and the expected delivery route. Companies House issues its certificates and certified copies; a notary performs the notarial act; the FCDO issues an apostille; an embassy or consulate makes its own decision; and a translator is responsible for the translation. Coddan coordinates the accepted instruction and keeps the stages connected.

The quotation will distinguish Coddan's work from official fees, notarial and translation fees, consular charges, courier costs and any later changes requested by the recipient. Timing begins only once the necessary documents, authority and requirements are available. External authorities control their own processing and may query or reject a document. Coddan will explain the next available step if that happens; it cannot guarantee acceptance in another country.

What should you have ready for a notarial enquiry?

If someone has asked you to sign or notarise a partnership document, send Coddan the complete document and the request you received from the bank, authority or other recipient. Tell us whether the document is already signed, who is expected to sign it and in what capacity. An LLP member, a general partner and a person acting for a corporate general partner may need different evidence of authority. The relevant agreement, decision, mandate or power of attorney may need to be examined before an appointment is arranged.

The individual notary decides what identification, address evidence, originals and attendance are required for the act. Please ask about a secure method for supplying personal identification; there is no need to send passport copies with an initial enquiry. If the recipient has specified wording, a recent issue date or paper rather than electronic documents, include that instruction at the outset. Where a signature must be witnessed, check the arrangements before signing.

Send the requirement before ordering

Provide the partnership name and number, the exact document or fact requested, the recipient's written instructions and deadline, and whether originals are available. If the instruction concerns overseas ownership, disputed authority, a fund or regulated activity, Coddan may ask for additional evidence or direct the relevant question to a solicitor, accountant or authorised adviser. Once the route is established, Coddan can quote for the appropriate document service or coordinated work.

Where should you start?

If you have been asked for a particular filed document, start by identifying the filing and checking whether an official certified copy is available. If you need proof of formation, ask whether an LLP incorporation certificate or an LP registration certificate answers the question. If the issue is who may sign, examine the agreement and any decisions as well as the public information. A stamp on the wrong document will not answer the recipient’s request.

Ask Coddan about this document

Send the partnership name and registration number, the document or fact requested, the recipient’s written instructions, the country of use and any deadline. We will review the request and explain what can be supplied and what remains to be confirmed before quoting.

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