A Certificate of Incumbency (COI) is literally
designed for this purpose, so there’s nothing inherently suspicious about presenting one. Banks, investors, and legal entities request them all the time.
If you’re worried about optics, here’s how you can smooth things out:
- Have it notarized – A notarized COI adds credibility.
- Use official letterhead – It should look formal and professional.
- Present it with other standard documents – If verifying authority, attach it to board resolutions, meeting minutes, or an operating agreement.
- Frame it as a routine request – If someone asks why you’re providing it, just say: “This is standard documentation to confirm corporate officers.”
If someone is skeptical, they might suspect internal conflict or potential fraud. But if you handle it professionally, no one should bat an eye.