Incumbency certificates are legal documents that are typically required when opening a bank account in the name of a company or other legal entity. These documents provide an official record of the company’s authorized representatives, officers, and key shareholders.

An incumbency certificate serves multiple purposes. It identifies who is in control of the company, describing their occupation and title. This information can be used to ensure legitimacy—a financial institution may require an incumbency certificate to confirm that the signatory of a company is in fact a duly authorized representative of the company. Additionally, an incumbency certificate can be used in contracts to determine who is legally empowered to bind the company in the related agreements.

The document is sometimes referred to as a “corporate resolution.” It usually includes information about the company’s legal address and its officers, directors, executives, and shareholders, though the exact details of what can be included may vary. It is important to note that an incumbency certificate does not include changes in personnel. The document must be renewed by the company in order to reflect events such as the appointment of new officers or changes in directors or any other change in personnel.

When a company or other legal entity needs to open a bank account, they must typically present an incumbency certificate. This is typically required to certify the authority of the person opening the account, and it verifies that the signatory is a duly authorized representative of the company. The certificate also serves to protect the financial institution against fraudulent activity, as it confirms that all parties authorized to access the account actually work for the company.

In most cases, an incumbency certificate is signed by a director, officer, or other authorized representative of the company. It is important to note that those signing the document must have the authority to do so, as any false information may be used to void the document.

In summary, an incumbency certificate is an important legal document. It is typically used in contracts and when opening bank accounts, providing a record of a company’s authorized personnel. Signatures must be carefully obtained, as fraudulent information may be used to void the certificate.