Registering a limited company in the UK is usually straightforward once you have made the key decisions in advance. The online Companies House registration service asks for accurate information about the company, its directors, shareholders and people with significant control. Preparing those details before you begin can turn the process into one focused task.
For most private companies limited by shares, online incorporation costs £100 and the company is usually registered within 24 hours. Paper applications cost £124 and normally take 8 to 10 days. The steps below explain how to register a limited company correctly, including current identity-verification requirements.
Check That a Limited Company Is Right for You
A limited company is legally separate from its owners. This can limit personal liability and create a more established business identity, but it also brings ongoing duties such as annual accounts, confirmation statements, company records and Corporation Tax responsibilities.
Before you incorporate a company in the UK, compare the administration and tax implications with operating as a sole trader. A useful related topic is choosing between a sole trader and limited company, particularly when the business has not started trading.
Choose the Company Type and Name
Most commercial businesses register as private companies limited by shares. Companies limited by guarantee are more common for clubs, associations and some non-profit organisations.
Your proposed name must not be the same as an existing registered name or too similar to one already in use. Some words require permission. Check both the Companies House register and the UK trade mark database before spending money on branding, packaging or signs.
Appoint Directors, Shareholders and PSCs
A private limited company needs at least one director, while a company secretary is optional. Each director must provide personal details and accept responsibility for maintaining records and ensuring required filings are made.
A company limited by shares also needs at least one shareholder, who may be the same person as the director. Decide how many shares will be issued, their value and who will own them. A one-person business often begins with one ordinary share, although shared ownership may require a more carefully planned structure.
You must identify people with significant control, known as PSCs. This commonly includes anyone with more than 25% of the shares or voting rights, or someone who otherwise controls the company.
Verify the Required Identities
Identity verification is now a legal part of the Companies House system. New directors need to verify their identity and use their Companies House personal code when they are appointed or when a company is incorporated. If there is more than one director, obtain each director’s code before beginning the application.
Verification through GOV.UK One Login is free. An authorised Companies House agent can also verify a person, although the agent may charge. Keep personal codes secure and share them only with someone trusted to file on your behalf. PSCs must also follow the relevant verification process and provide their codes within the required period.
Prepare the Registered Office and Email Address
Your registered office must be a physical, appropriate address in the same UK jurisdiction where the company is registered. A company registered in Scotland, for example, must use a Scottish registered office. A Royal Mail PO Box on its own is not acceptable.
The registered office appears on the public register. To keep a home address private, arrange an eligible accountant’s, solicitor’s or registered-office service address before applying. You must also provide a registered email address. Companies House uses it for official communications, but it is not displayed publicly.
Choose a SIC Code and Prepare Company Documents
A Standard Industrial Classification code describes the company’s business activity. Select the code that most accurately reflects what the company will do. Several genuine activities may justify multiple codes, but unrelated codes can make the record confusing.
Online applicants using standard arrangements can normally adopt model articles of association, while the memorandum is generated during registration. The application also records the statement of capital and the rights attached to shares. Where two or more people will own the business, consider reading a shareholders’ agreement guide before registration.
Register the Company Online
Use the official GOV.UK service to register a company online. Enter the company name, registered office, registered email, director information, shareholder details, PSC information, SIC code and share structure. You will also confirm that the company is being formed for a lawful purpose and that the information is accurate.
The online company registration fee is £100 and can be paid by debit or credit card. You will need to create a Government Gateway user ID for the company rather than use your personal ID. Check spellings, dates, addresses and share allocations carefully before payment, because mistakes may require corrective filings.
Consider a practical example. Maya is forming a one-person design studio. She checks the name and trade marks, arranges a registered-office service to keep her home private, verifies her identity, selects the relevant design SIC code and issues one ordinary share to herself. With every detail ready, she can complete the application in one sitting.
What Happens After Registration?
Once approved, Companies House issues a certificate of incorporation showing the company number and formation date. The company legally exists from that date. Online applications are usually processed within 24 hours, though checks can cause delays.
The online service will usually set the company up for Corporation Tax at the same time unless it is dormant. After HMRC sends the 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference, add Corporation Tax services to the business tax account. Register for PAYE if the company employs staff or pays a director through payroll, and register for VAT when required. Another useful related topic is first-year filing deadlines for limited companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to register a limited company?
As of August 2026, standard online incorporation through Companies House costs £100. A paper IN01 application costs £124. Agents may charge separate service fees.
How long does company registration take?
An online company is usually registered within 24 hours. Postal applications normally take 8 to 10 days, while applications needing additional checks may take longer.
Can one person be the director and shareholder?
Yes. One person can be the company’s only director, shareholder and PSC, provided all legal requirements are met.
Do I need an accountant to register?
No. You can complete Companies House registration yourself. Professional advice may be useful when ownership, share rights, tax planning or verification arrangements are complex.
Finish With Accurate Information
Preparation is the quickest route to successful incorporation. Decide the structure and ownership, check the name, verify each director, arrange an appropriate registered office, choose the correct SIC code and review every entry before paying. After receiving the certificate, set up tax access, accounting records and reminders for statutory deadlines so the company remains compliant from its first day.
