How to Obtain a Company Extract in Ireland and When You Need Notarisation or Apostille

Whether opening a foreign bank account, participating in a tender, or registering a branch abroad, one essential document often comes into play: the company extract.

In Ireland, company extracts are issued by the Companies Registration Office (CRO), the national registrar of companies. These extracts provide verified information drawn from official records, and in certain contexts, they must be notarised or apostilled for international use.

This article explains what company extracts are, how to obtain them in Ireland, when notarisation is required, and how Legitify’s online notarisation solution helps simplify the process.

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What Is a Company Extract?

A company extract (or company printout) is an official document that provides a verified summary of a company’s registered details as held by the CRO.

What information does a company extract contain?

A typical extract includes:

• Company name, CRO number, and date of incorporation
• Company type (e.g. Private Limited Company)
• Registered office address
• Current directors and company secretary (with service addresses)
• Legal status (e.g. active, dissolved, in liquidation)
• Filing history (annual returns, accounts, changes to officers)
• Registered charges or mortgages

Company extracts serve as independent proof of a company’s existence and compliance with Irish corporate law. They are routinely requested in both domestic and international business, legal, and administrative processes.

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How to Obtain a Company Extract

CRO documents are obtained through CORE, the Companies Online Registration Environment, and the process is fully digital.

Steps:

1. Log in to CORE or create an account.
2. Search for the company using its name or CRO number.
3. Select the document type, in this case the Company Printout.
4. Pay the fee online.
5. Download your digital PDF.

These extracts are considered valid official documents for use in Ireland. However, when using them abroad, additional certification is often necessary.

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When Notarisation of a Company Extract Is Required

Notarisation involves a Notary Public certifying the authenticity of a document or verifying that a copy is a true and accurate reproduction of an original.

Common scenarios requiring notarisation:

1. Foreign bank account openings: Some international banks require  notarised company documents as part of their compliance and verification checks.
2. Registering a subsidiary or branch abroad: Business registries in other jurisdictions may not accept an electronically signed document without notarisation.
3. International tenders and government procurement: Participation in public tenders outside Ireland often requires  notarised proof of incorporation and good standing.
4. Cross-border legal proceedings: Foreign courts may request  notarised extracts as admissible evidence of corporate status.
5. Certified translations: If a translated version of the extract is needed, a notary may certify that the translation accurately reflects the original.

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When an Apostille Is Required

Apostille certification is often required when submitting a company extract to authorities or institutions in Hague Convention countries. In most cases, CRO-issued documents can be apostilled directly without prior notarisation. However, if the receiving authority requests a notarised version, the apostille must be applied to the notarised copy. As requirements vary by jurisdiction, it’s important to confirm them in advance.

Note: Some non-Hague countries do not accept apostilles and instead require consular legalisation, which involves notarisation, official authentication, and embassy validation.

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How Legitify Simplifies Notarisation & Apostille

Legitify provides a secure and efficient solution for notarising and apostilling company extracts. The platform is designed for businesses that need certified documentation for international use, offering a complete process from submission to delivery.

• Online process: The entire workflow is completed digitally, avoiding the need for physical appointments or manual coordination.
• Cross-border document certification: CRO-issued extracts can be notarised and apostilled through a single, streamlined process suitable for use abroad.
• Apostille services: Apostille certification can be requested directly through the platform, simplifying coordination and reducing turnaround time.

• Fast processing: Our solution is designed to support time-sensitive requests with efficient turnaround.
• Security and compliance: All data is encrypted and handled in accordance with legal, regulatory, and privacy standards.

Legitify enables businesses to meet cross-border documentation requirements with confidence and speed, using a fully online and compliant process.

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International transactions often come with tight timelines, strict documentation requirements, and little room for error. When a company extract is part of the process, having it properly certified is not just a formality, it is a critical step toward ensuring progress without administrative setbacks.

Legitify offers a reliable, structured solution that removes uncertainty from cross-border documentation. Simplify your notarisation workflow with our secure online notarization platform, built for speed, compliance, and reliability. Get started today at www.legitify.eu.