Opening or managing a business bank account abroad can involve more paperwork than many UK company owners expect. Foreign banks often ask for Companies House documents, director details, shareholder records, proof of address, source of funds evidence and sometimes certified or apostilled copies.
This can happen when a UK company is opening an overseas bank account, setting up a branch, forming a subsidiary, buying property, receiving international investment or trading in another country.
Banks need to understand who owns and controls the business, whether the company is active and where the money is coming from. Preparing the right documents early can help avoid delays during onboarding and compliance checks.
Why foreign banks ask for UK company documents
Foreign banks must carry out checks before opening or maintaining business accounts. These checks are usually part of anti-money laundering, fraud prevention and know your customer procedures.
They may need to confirm:
- the UK company exists
- the company is active
- who the directors are
- who owns the company
- who controls the company
- what the business does
- where funds come from
- who is authorised to sign
- whether the company structure is clear
- whether documents are genuine
Companies House documents help banks verify the legal status and structure of a UK company.
Certificate of incorporation
The certificate of incorporation is one of the most commonly requested documents. It confirms that the company was legally registered in the UK.
A foreign bank may use it to check:
- company name
- company number
- incorporation date
- place of registration
- legal existence
Some banks may accept a standard copy. Others may ask for a certified copy, apostille or translation depending on the country and internal compliance rules.
Companies House company profile
A company profile or company information document from Companies House may be requested to show current company details.
It may include:
- company name
- company number
- registered office address
- company status
- incorporation date
- nature of business
- director details
- filing history
- persons with significant control
This document helps the bank compare the company’s official public record with the information provided in the application.
Articles of association
Articles of association explain how the company is governed. They set out rules about directors, shareholders, voting rights and company decision-making.
A foreign bank may ask for articles of association to confirm:
- who can act for the company
- how directors are appointed
- how shares are managed
- whether directors have authority to open accounts
- whether special approval is needed for banking decisions
If the articles are submitted abroad, they may need certification, apostille or translation.
Memorandum of association
The memorandum of association is a founding document created when a company is incorporated. Some foreign banks or registries may request it alongside the articles of association.
It can help show the original subscribers who agreed to form the company.
For many modern UK companies, the articles are more frequently requested, but some overseas institutions still ask for both documents as part of their checklist.
Confirmation statement
A confirmation statement gives a snapshot of key company information filed with Companies House. It may help banks verify current ownership and control details.
A bank may ask for it to check:
- shareholders
- share capital
- persons with significant control
- registered office
- company officers
- standard industrial classification codes
If the confirmation statement is out of date or does not match other documents, the bank may ask questions or request updated evidence.
Persons with significant control documents
Foreign banks often need to identify the ultimate beneficial owners of a company. In the UK, persons with significant control records can help show who owns or controls the business.
Banks may ask for:
- PSC register
- Companies House PSC information
- shareholder register
- ownership structure chart
- beneficial ownership declaration
- director or shareholder passport copies
If the ownership structure includes other companies, trusts or overseas entities, the bank may ask for further documents to trace ownership to real individuals.
Register of directors
A register of directors may be requested to confirm who manages the company. Banks need to know who has authority to act and whether the person applying for the account is properly authorised.
The bank may compare director information with:
- Companies House records
- passport copies
- board resolutions
- application forms
- proof of address
- signature documents
If there are differences in names, dates or addresses, the bank may ask for clarification.
Register of shareholders
The register of shareholders helps show company ownership. This can be particularly important where shareholding information is not clear from public records or where the bank needs more detailed ownership evidence.
It may show:
- shareholder names
- share classes
- number of shares held
- date shares were issued or transferred
- ownership percentages
Some banks require the register to be signed, certified or dated recently.
Certificate of good standing
A certificate of good standing may be requested to show that the company exists and is up to date with filing obligations. It can be especially useful for overseas banks that want confirmation of the company’s current legal status.
A certificate of good standing may be requested when:
- opening an international business account
- registering a branch abroad
- applying for finance
- entering a major contract
- completing a property transaction
- dealing with overseas regulators
Depending on the country, this document may need an apostille or translation.
Board resolution to open a bank account
A foreign bank may ask for a board resolution confirming that the company has authorised the account opening.
A board resolution may confirm:
- the company agrees to open the account
- the bank name and country
- authorised signatories
- powers granted to directors or representatives
- approval for online banking
- authority to submit documents
- authority to make transfers
The resolution should usually be signed by the correct directors and match the company’s articles of association. It may need certification, apostille or translation.
Authorised signatory documents
Banks need to know who can operate the account. This may include directors, employees, company secretaries, lawyers or local representatives.
Documents may include:
- passport copy
- proof of address
- board resolution
- power of attorney
- specimen signature form
- employment confirmation
- director appointment document
If a non-director is authorised to act, the bank may ask for stronger evidence such as a power of attorney or signed board authority.
Proof of address for directors and shareholders
Foreign banks commonly ask directors, shareholders and beneficial owners to provide proof of residential address.
UK proof of address documents may include:
- utility bill
- council tax bill
- bank statement
- mortgage statement
- tenancy agreement
- HMRC letter
- driving licence
The document usually needs to be recent. Many banks ask for proof dated within the last three months.
If a UK proof of address is being used abroad, it may need certification or translation.
Passport copies for directors and owners
Passport copies are usually required for directors, shareholders, authorised signatories and beneficial owners. The bank needs to verify each person’s identity.
A passport copy may need to be:
- clear and readable
- in colour
- certified as a true copy
- apostilled, if required
- translated, if the certification is not in the bank’s accepted language
Some banks may require a video call or in-person identity check in addition to document submission.
Source of funds and source of wealth documents
Foreign banks may ask how the company earns money and where funds entering the account will come from.
Documents may include:
- company accounts
- bank statements
- invoices
- contracts
- sales agreements
- investment records
- loan agreements
- shareholder funding evidence
- tax returns
- accountant letter
- business plan
Source of funds checks are often stricter when large transfers, property purchases, investment activity or high-risk jurisdictions are involved.
Business activity evidence
A bank may want to understand what the company does before opening an account.
You may be asked for:
- business plan
- website
- invoices
- supplier contracts
- customer contracts
- lease agreement
- professional licence
- company brochure
- proof of trading history
- tax registration documents
The bank may compare this information with the company’s SIC codes and Companies House records.
Tax documents
Tax documents may be requested to support business banking checks, especially for companies trading internationally.
Possible documents include:
- corporation tax documents
- VAT registration certificate
- HMRC correspondence
- tax residency certificate
- tax identification number
- accountant letter
- filed accounts
- self assessment documents for owners, if relevant
If tax documents are submitted abroad, they may need certification or translation.
Group structure documents
If the UK company is part of a group, the foreign bank may ask for a structure chart and documents for parent companies, subsidiaries or holding companies.
This may include:
- ownership chart
- parent company documents
- subsidiary incorporation documents
- shareholder registers
- ultimate beneficial owner details
- board resolutions
- intercompany agreements
The bank usually wants to trace control back to individual people, not just company names.
Power of attorney
A power of attorney may be needed if someone will open or manage the business bank account on behalf of the UK company.
It may authorise a person to:
- submit documents
- sign bank forms
- attend appointments
- open the account
- manage online banking
- make payments
- communicate with the bank
A power of attorney for use abroad may need notarisation, apostille, translation or embassy legalisation.
Apostille for Companies House documents
An apostille may be required when Companies House documents are submitted to a foreign bank or authority.
Documents that may need an apostille include:
- certificate of incorporation
- certificate of good standing
- articles of association
- Companies House company profile
- confirmation statement
- board resolution
- power of attorney
- certified passport copy
- proof of address document, if properly certified
Not every bank requires apostilles, but many overseas institutions ask for legalised documents before accepting them.
Translation requirements
If the bank does not accept English documents, translation may be required.
This may apply to:
- Companies House documents
- articles of association
- board resolutions
- powers of attorney
- passport certifications
- proof of address
- company accounts
- tax documents
- source of funds evidence
Some banks require certified or sworn translations. If a document has an apostille, the apostille may also need to be translated.
Embassy legalisation
Some countries require embassy or consulate legalisation after the apostille. This may apply to company documents, powers of attorney, board resolutions or commercial records.
Embassy legalisation can add extra time, so it is important to check whether it is needed before sending documents to the bank.
The order may be:
- prepare or certify the document
- obtain an apostille
- complete embassy legalisation, if required
- arrange translation, if required
- submit the final document package
Common reasons business banking applications are delayed
International business banking applications are often delayed because documents are missing, outdated or inconsistent.
Common issues include:
- Companies House documents are not recent enough
- certificate of incorporation is not apostilled
- ownership structure is unclear
- shareholder register is missing
- director proof of address is too old
- passport copy is not certified
- board resolution is not signed correctly
- source of funds evidence is incomplete
- company activities do not match application details
- translation is missing
- embassy legalisation was required but not completed
Banks may also ask for extra documents after reviewing the initial application.
Practical checklist before applying
Before opening a business bank account abroad, check whether the bank needs:
- certificate of incorporation
- Companies House company profile
- articles of association
- memorandum of association
- confirmation statement
- certificate of good standing
- register of directors
- register of shareholders
- PSC information
- ownership structure chart
- board resolution
- director passport copies
- director proof of address
- shareholder and beneficial owner documents
- source of funds evidence
- business activity evidence
- tax documents
- power of attorney, if applicable
- translations, if required
- apostilles or legalisation, if required
Ask the bank for written instructions before arranging certification or legalisation.
Final thoughts
Foreign banks ask for Companies House documents because they need to verify the legal status, ownership, control and activity of a UK company. These checks are a normal part of international business banking and compliance.
A UK company may need to provide incorporation documents, articles of association, shareholder records, director details, proof of address, source of funds evidence and board resolutions. Some documents may need certification, apostille, translation or further legalisation before they are accepted.
Preparing a complete and accurate document package can help reduce delays and make the overseas business banking process smoother.