Which document confirms the legal identity of a company and allows it to operate as a separate entity?

• A. Not-for-profit Registration
• B. Deed of Partnership
• C. Articles of Association
• D. Certificate of Incorporation

Answer: (D)

A company gains its legal identity through registration, which issues a Certificate of Incorporation. This document officially creates the company as a separate legal entity from its owners, meaning the company can own assets, enter into contracts, sue and be sued in its own name, and typically enjoy limited liability. The Certificate of Incorporation records the official name, the date of incorporation, and the company’s unique number, confirming its existence in law.

This distinguishes it from other documents: Not-for-profit registration is about charitable or non-profit status, not the creation of a legal person; a deed of partnership relates to partnerships where individuals share ownership but usually don’t form separate legal entities; articles of association outline internal governance and rules but do not by themselves establish the company’s legal personality.