Short answer
A business registration (or trade license) proves that your company legally exists. Government website authorization shows that a government has authorized your domain to provide a specific document or service. Google Ads uses registration documents in advertiser verification, but for authorized-provider certification it lists business licenses and registry entries as evidence that does not count.
| Business registration / license | Government website authorization | |
|---|---|---|
| Proves | Your company exists and may trade | A government authorized you for a specific document or service |
| Issued for | Most businesses | Selected partners or specialists |
| Where it is used in Google Ads | Advertiser verification (identity) | Certification as an authorized provider |
| Counts as authorization? | No, according to Google’s update | Yes, if it meets the criteria |
| Typical form | Certificate, registry entry | Official public page or directory linking to your domain |
Why registration is not authorization
Registering a company is open to almost anyone and says nothing about whether a government has approved that company to handle its documents or services. The October 2026 update makes this explicit by listing business or trade licenses and registrations on business registries, whether government-managed or not, among the examples that are not valid authorization.
Our interpretation
The confusion is understandable: a registration certificate is issued by a government, and Google asks for it during verification. But it answers “who are you?”, not “are you authorized to provide this service?”.
Where each document belongs
- Advertiser verification: registration documents, representative ID, and other documents Google lists for your country. See verification documents.
- Certification form (authorized provider): the official government website that links to your domain and references you as authorized. See authorized provider requirements.
Example
A company in India is incorporated, holds a GST certificate and has a trade license. It helps customers apply for a covered document. Its incorporation certificate can support advertiser verification. None of these documents make it an authorized provider. It would need an official government website to link to its domain and explicitly reference it as authorized for that document, or another certification option would have to apply.
Not sure what your documents prove?
What each one can and cannot do for you
| Document | Can help with | Cannot do |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of incorporation / registry entry | Advertiser verification (organization identity) | Prove authorization for a covered service |
| Trade or business license | Proving you may trade, where licenses are required | Prove authorization for a covered service |
| Commercial contract with a government supplier | Explaining business relationships | Count as authorization (Google lists it as invalid) |
| Official government directory listing with link | Authorized provider certification | Replace advertiser verification documents |
Frequently asked questions
Our government registry entry links to our website. Does that count?
Google lists registrations or entries on business registries, government-managed or otherwise, as examples that are not valid authorization, even if they include a link.
Do I still need registration documents if I am authorized?
Yes, for advertiser verification. Authorization and identity are checked separately.
Related guides
- What counts as government authorization
- Google Ads government certification
- Google Ads advertiser verification
Official sources
Google updates its policies and help pages. We last checked these sources on 7 October 2026. If this article and Google’s documentation differ, Google’s documentation applies.
