To register a limited company in the UK, you must choose a company type and name, appoint at least one director, identify the company’s shareholders and people with significant control, provide a registered office and email address, choose a SIC code and submit the required information to Companies House.
You can register online through Companies House, use a company formation agent or submit a postal application. Once Companies House approves the application, the company legally exists and receives its certificate of incorporation and company number.
If you are ready to begin, you can compare our UK company formation options or view our limited company formation packages.
Company registration at a glance
| Requirement | What you need |
|---|---|
| Company type | Usually limited by shares or limited by guarantee |
| Company name | A name that follows Companies House rules and is sufficiently different from existing names |
| Director | At least one individual director |
| Shareholder | At least one shareholder for a company limited by shares |
| Person with significant control | Details of anyone who controls the company |
| Registered office | An appropriate physical address in the company’s UK jurisdiction |
| Registered email | An email address monitored by the company; it is not published |
| SIC code | A code describing the company’s business activity |
| Company documents | Memorandum, articles and statement of capital or guarantee |
| Identity verification | Personal codes may be required for directors and other relevant individuals |
| Registration fee | Depends on whether you register directly, by post or through an agent |
1. Decide whether a limited company is right for you
Before registering a company, decide whether a limited company is the right legal structure for the business.
A limited company is legally separate from the people who own and manage it. Its finances, assets and liabilities belong to the company rather than its directors or shareholders.
Limited liability normally means that shareholders are responsible for company debts only up to the amount they have agreed to invest. However, directors still have legal responsibilities and may become personally liable in certain circumstances, such as misconduct or providing a personal guarantee.
Other possible structures include:
- Sole trader
- Business partnership
- Limited liability partnership
- Company limited by guarantee
- Community interest company
- Public limited company
You can compare the different structures on our UK company formations page.
2. Choose the type of limited company
Most new commercial businesses register as private companies limited by shares.
Company limited by shares
A company limited by shares is owned by its shareholders. Each shareholder receives one or more shares in the business.
This is generally the most suitable structure for a profit-making business where the owners may receive dividends from available profits.
Company limited by guarantee
A company limited by guarantee does not normally have shareholders or share capital. Instead, it has guarantors who agree to contribute a set amount if the company is wound up.
This structure is commonly used by clubs, associations, membership organisations and some not-for-profit bodies.
3. Choose and check your company name
Your company name must follow Companies House rules and must not be the same as, or too similar to, another registered company name.
Most private limited company names must end in “Limited” or “Ltd”. Restrictions also apply to sensitive words and expressions that could imply a connection with a government body, regulated profession or recognised institution.
Before applying, check:
- Whether the name is available at Companies House
- Whether it is too similar to an existing company
- Whether it contains a sensitive or restricted expression
- Whether someone else owns a matching trade mark
- Whether an appropriate domain name is available
- Whether it could be confused with another established business
Registering a company name does not automatically give you trade mark protection. A separate trade mark search may therefore be appropriate.
You can check name availability through our limited company formation page.
4. Appoint at least one company director
Every private limited company must have at least one individual director. A corporate director may also be appointed in permitted circumstances, but the company cannot have only corporate directors.
A director must generally:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Not be disqualified from acting as a company director
- Provide their full name, date of birth, nationality and occupation
- Provide a residential address
- Provide a service or correspondence address
- Agree to act as a director
A director’s residential address is supplied to Companies House but is not normally shown on the public register. The director’s service address is publicly available.
If you do not want to publish your home address, read our guide explaining director correspondence addresses.
Directors are legally responsible for running the company, maintaining suitable records and ensuring that required accounts, confirmation statements and tax information are filed.
5. Decide whether to appoint a company secretary
A private limited company is not normally required to appoint a company secretary. The role is optional, although some companies appoint one to help with governance, record keeping and statutory administration.
A company secretary does not replace the directors’ legal responsibilities. Directors remain ultimately responsible for the company’s compliance.
Read our guide to company secretaries and their responsibilities for more information.
6. Identify the shareholders
A company limited by shares must have at least one shareholder. The shareholder can also be the company’s only director, meaning one person can register and run a UK limited company.
For each shareholder, you will normally need to provide:
- Full name
- Address
- Number and class of shares
- Value of the shares
- Prescribed personal information used for security checks
You must decide how the company’s shares will be divided. A simple company with one owner may issue one ordinary share, although the appropriate structure depends on the company and its future plans.
Share ownership can affect voting rights, dividends and control of the business. Professional advice may be sensible where there will be several owners, different share classes or outside investment.
7. Identify people with significant control
You must identify the people with significant control over the company and provide their details during registration.
A person with significant control, commonly called a PSC, will usually be someone who:
- Holds more than 25% of the company’s shares
- Holds more than 25% of its voting rights
- Can appoint or remove a majority of the board
- Otherwise exercises significant influence or control
The same person may be the company’s director, shareholder and PSC.
Read our guide explaining people with significant control for further information.
8. Provide a registered office address
Every UK company must have an appropriate registered office address.
The address must:
- Be a physical address in the UK
- Be in the jurisdiction where the company is registered
- Be somewhere company documents can be expected to reach an authorised person
- Allow the sender to obtain an acknowledgement or record of delivery
For example, a company registered in Scotland must maintain its registered office in Scotland. A company registered in England and Wales must use an address within that jurisdiction.
The registered office appears on the public Companies House register. You can use a residential address, but this will make that address publicly visible.
A PO Box on its own cannot be used as the registered office.
If you do not have a suitable address or want to keep your home address private, CFS provides registered office address services.
9. Supply a registered email address
You must provide a registered email address when forming a company.
Companies House may use this email address to communicate with the company. The address should be monitored regularly, but it will not be displayed on the public register.
The registered email address is different from the company’s registered office and does not replace the need for a physical UK address.
10. Choose a SIC code
A Standard Industrial Classification code, or SIC code, tells Companies House what type of business activity the company carries out.
You must provide at least one SIC code during registration. A company conducting several activities can use more than one code.
Choose the code that most accurately describes the company’s intended activity. The SIC code can be changed later, normally through the company’s confirmation statement.
For additional guidance, read What Is a SIC Code?.
11. Prepare the company documents
A new limited company requires documents setting out its formation and how it will be managed.
These normally include:
Memorandum of association
The memorandum confirms that the initial subscribers agree to form the company and become members.
When a company is registered online, the memorandum is normally created automatically from the information provided.
Articles of association
The articles are the company’s internal rules. They explain how decisions are made and set out the powers and responsibilities of directors and shareholders.
Most straightforward companies use standard model articles. Bespoke articles may be appropriate for a company with a more complex ownership or management structure.
Statement of capital
A company limited by shares must provide information about its shares, including:
- The number of shares
- Their total nominal value
- The rights attached to each share class
- The amount paid or unpaid on the shares
A company limited by guarantee provides a statement of guarantee instead.
12. Complete the required identity checks
Identity verification is now a legal requirement for company directors and people with significant control (PSCs).
When forming a new company, each proposed director must verify their identity and provide their Companies House personal code as part of the incorporation process. If the company has more than one director, every director must complete verification and supply their own code.
An individual normally verifies their identity once and then uses the same personal code for each directorship or company role they hold. PSCs must also verify and provide their personal code to Companies House within the period that applies to them.
Identity can be verified directly through GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), also known as a Companies House authorised agent. CFS Formations is registered as an ACSP and can assist with the verification process.
When completing verification through CFS, directors and PSCs may be asked to:
- Upload an accepted identity document
- Provide proof of their address
- Complete a facial or liveness check
- Supply additional information where required for due-diligence purposes
The exact documents and checks required may depend on the person’s circumstances and the verification route used.
Companies House identity verification is separate from the anti-money-laundering and customer due-diligence checks that CFS may also be legally required to complete. Completing one process does not automatically satisfy the other.
13. Submit the company registration
You can register a company:
- Directly through the Companies House online service
- Through an authorised company formation agent
- Using approved third-party software
- By post using form IN01
The direct Companies House online registration service currently costs £100, and applications are usually processed within 24 hours. Postal applications currently cost £124 and normally take between eight and ten days. Government fees and processing times can change, so check the current Companies House registration guidance before applying.
Applications made through an agent are still subject to Companies House approval and processing times.
CFS offers several formation options with the relevant Companies House fee included. Compare our limited company formation packages to choose the appropriate service.
14. Review the information before submitting it
Check the application carefully before submission.
In particular, confirm:
- The company name is correct
- Every officer’s name is spelled correctly
- Dates of birth are accurate
- Residential and service addresses have not been confused
- The registered office is in the correct jurisdiction
- Share allocations and values are correct
- All PSCs have been identified
- The SIC code describes the intended activity
- The registered email address is monitored
- Required identity-verification details are complete
Mistakes can delay registration and some corrections may require an additional Companies House filing after incorporation.
Customers using CFS can review their company information before submitting the application.
What happens after registration?
Once Companies House approves the application, it issues a certificate of incorporation. This confirms:
- The company’s legal name
- Its unique company number
- Its date of incorporation
- That it legally exists
Depending on the formation service used, you may also receive:
- Memorandum of association
- Articles of association
- Share certificates
- Company register
- Minutes of the first board meeting
- Companies House authentication code
After incorporation, the directors should also consider:
- Opening a business bank account
- Registering for the appropriate taxes
- Adding Corporation Tax services to the company’s business tax account
- Registering for PAYE if the company will employ or pay staff
- Registering for VAT if required or beneficial
- Maintaining company and accounting records
- Recording important company decisions
- Filing annual accounts
- Filing a confirmation statement
- Keeping Companies House information up to date
A limited company must meet its filing obligations even if it is dormant or has not yet begun trading.
Read our guide to filing a confirmation statement for more information about this annual requirement.
Registering directly or using a formation agent
You can register a straightforward company directly with Companies House. However, a formation agent can help you choose the appropriate package, check the application and supply additional services and company documents.
An agent may be particularly useful if:
- You live outside the UK
- You need a UK registered office
- You want to protect your residential address
- The company has several shareholders
- You require identity-verification assistance
- You need printed statutory documents
- You are unsure which company structure is appropriate
CFS Formations can submit the incorporation electronically and help with company addresses, official documents and other post-formation requirements.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to register a company in the UK?
Direct online registration through Companies House currently costs £100. Postal registration currently costs £124. A formation agent’s price will depend on the services and documents included.
CFS package prices include the relevant Companies House registration fee. Check the limited company package page for current prices and inclusions.
How long does it take to register a company?
Companies House says online applications are usually processed within 24 hours. Postal applications normally take eight to ten days.
Applications submitted through a formation agent can often be prepared and sent electronically, but approval remains subject to Companies House checks and workload.
Can one person register a limited company?
Yes. One person can act as the company’s sole director and sole shareholder. That person may also be its PSC.
The company still needs an appropriate registered office, registered email address and the required formation documents.
Do I need to live in the UK to register a UK company?
A director or shareholder does not generally need to live in the UK. However, the company must maintain an appropriate registered office in the UK jurisdiction where it is incorporated.
Overseas applicants may also need to meet additional identity, address, banking and due-diligence requirements.
Do I need a business address before registering?
You need an appropriate registered office address before submitting the application. You must also provide service addresses for directors and a registered email address.
The registered office does not need to be the location where the company conducts its everyday business.
Can I use my home address to register the company?
Yes, provided it meets the appropriate-address requirements. However, the registered office will be publicly visible on the Companies House register.
A professional registered office service can be used if you do not want your home address published.
Do I need a company secretary?
A private limited company does not normally need a company secretary. You can appoint one voluntarily to assist with company administration, but the directors remain legally responsible for compliance.
Can I change the company name after registration?
Yes. A registered company can change its name by passing the required resolution and submitting the appropriate Companies House filing.
It is usually simpler to select and check the intended name carefully before registering.
Can the company start trading immediately?
The company legally exists once Companies House approves the application and issues the certificate of incorporation. It can then begin trading, provided any necessary tax registrations, bank arrangements, licences, insurance and industry-specific permissions are in place.
What documents will I receive?
You will receive a certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association. A company limited by shares should also create and retain share certificates and its statutory company records.
The exact documents supplied by an agent depend on the formation package selected.
Ready to register your company?
If you have gathered the required information, you can compare our UK company formation options or view the available limited company formation packages.
If you are unsure which structure or service is appropriate, contact CFS Formations before submitting your application.
