How to Register a Company in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide

What you need before you register

Before you start, gather a small set of details. Companies House will ask for these during the application, and having them ready means you can incorporate in one go. You must choose a company name that follows the naming rules, provide a registered office address, appoint at least one director and identify your shareholders or guarantors.

You also need to prepare a memorandum of association and articles of association, provide a statement of capital (for companies limited by shares), choose at least one SIC code to describe what the company does, and identify anyone who counts as a person with significant control. If you are starting a company and want a clear checklist and support through the process, our company formation service is built to make this straightforward.

The memorandum of association is a short legal statement, signed by all initial shareholders or guarantors, confirming their agreement to form the company. When you register online, this document is created for you as part of the process. The articles of association are the written rules about running the company, agreed by the shareholders, directors and the company secretary if there is one. Most new companies adopt the standard model articles provided by Companies House, which suit the majority of straightforward businesses, although you can use bespoke articles if your arrangements are more complex. Taking a moment to decide whether the model articles fit your plans can save you from having to amend them later.

Choosing the right company type

Most people who search for how to register a company in the UK are setting up a private company limited by shares. This is the usual choice for a business that intends to make a profit and distribute it to its owners. The shareholders own the company through their shares, and their liability is limited to the amount unpaid on those shares, which is why the structure is popular with small and growing businesses.

A company limited by guarantee is different. Instead of shareholders it has guarantors, who agree to contribute a set amount towards the company's debts if it is wound up, and it does not usually distribute profits. This structure is common for clubs, membership organisations and non-profit ventures. For a company limited by shares you need at least one shareholder, who can also be the director, and you record how the shares are split in the statement of capital. Deciding which type suits you at the outset shapes several of the details you enter during registration, so it is worth settling this before you begin.

Choosing a company name and registered office

Your company name must follow the Companies House naming rules and cannot be the same as, or too similar to, an existing registered name. You can search the free Companies House register to see whether a name is already in use before you apply. Certain sensitive words and expressions need permission, and the name usually has to end in 'Limited' or 'Ltd' for a private company limited by shares.

The registered office is the company's official address, where statutory mail is sent. Under ECCTA, it must be an appropriate address, which broadly means somewhere that documents can be delivered and an acknowledgement of receipt is possible, and where they are expected to come to the attention of a person acting for the company. A PO Box on its own is not sufficient. You will also be asked to provide a registered email address that Companies House can use to contact the company.

It is worth remembering that the registered office appears on the public register, so anyone can look it up. Many owners who run their business from home choose to use a service address instead of their private home to keep that address off the public record, which is entirely acceptable as long as the address remains appropriate and can receive official post. The registered office also determines where the company is treated as based for the register, so a company incorporated in England and Wales, in Scotland, or in Northern Ireland must keep a registered office in that same part of the UK.

Directors, shareholders and people with significant control

Every company needs at least one director, who is legally responsible for running it and meeting its filing duties. You do not have to appoint a company secretary. For a company limited by shares you need at least one shareholder, who can also be the director, and you set out how the shares are divided in the statement of capital.

You must also identify your people with significant control (PSCs). A PSC is generally anyone who holds more than 25% of the shares or voting rights, can appoint or remove a majority of the directors, or otherwise has significant influence or control over the company. When you register, you record each PSC's level of ownership within set bands, for example over 25% up to 50%, more than 50% and less than 75%, or 75% or more. These details go on the public register and must be kept up to date.

Identity verification under ECCTA

Identity verification is now a core part of setting up a company. Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, anyone who sets up, runs, owns or controls a company in the UK must verify their identity. From 18 November 2025, identity verification became mandatory, so new directors need to verify their identity to incorporate a company or be appointed to an existing one, and PSCs must verify too.

You can verify your identity directly with Companies House through GOV.UK One Login, which is free and can be completed quickly online, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Once verified, you receive a personal code, which you provide for each company role you hold. Existing directors confirm they have verified when they file their next annual confirmation statement, within a 12-month transition period, and existing PSCs verify in line with an appointed day within 12 months of the 18 November 2025 start. Failing to verify can prevent you from forming a company or filing, which risks the company being struck off.

In practice, the sensible approach is to verify before you start the incorporation, because a new director must be verified to be appointed when the company is formed. If several people will be directors or PSCs, each of them needs to complete verification and obtain their own personal code, so it is worth coordinating this early rather than leaving it to the moment you file. Companies House has estimated that millions of individuals will need to verify their identity as the new regime beds in, so allowing a little time for the step is prudent, even though the online route through GOV.UK One Login is designed to be quick.

How to register: the step-by-step process

Most people register online. The application asks for the details covered above, walks you through the memorandum and articles, and prompts you to confirm your PSCs and complete identity verification. When you submit and pay, Companies House reviews the application and, if everything is in order, issues a certificate of incorporation confirming the company legally exists.

You can incorporate by post using form IN01 if you prefer, but it costs more and takes longer. If you would rather have the paperwork handled for you, an agent or formation service can file on your behalf and help you get the details right first time.

Whichever route you choose, accuracy matters. Companies House will reject an application that uses a SIC code outside the condensed list it accepts, or that is missing required details, and a rejection simply means starting again and delaying your incorporation. Reading back the name, addresses, share allocations and PSC information before you submit is a small step that avoids the most common hold-ups. Once the certificate of incorporation is issued, the company legally exists and you can open a business bank account, register for the taxes that apply to you, and begin trading.

Fees and timescales by method

Companies House charges a fee to incorporate, and the amount depends on how you file. The current fees took effect on 1 February 2026. Registering online costs £100, and filing the same way through compatible software also costs £100. A postal application on form IN01 costs £124. A same-day incorporation service, where available, costs £156.

Timescales differ too. An online application is usually registered within 24 hours, while a postal application takes around 8 to 10 days. After incorporation you have ongoing duties, including filing an annual confirmation statement, which costs £50 online or £110 by paper. You can see how these one-off and ongoing costs fit together on our pricing page.

It helps to view the incorporation fee as just the first cost in a company's life rather than the whole picture. The confirmation statement is due at least once every 12 months and confirms that the information Companies House holds is up to date, and there are separate obligations to file annual accounts. Budgeting for these recurring items from day one means there are no surprises, and it keeps the company in good standing on the register, which matters when you deal with banks, suppliers and customers who may check your record.

Conclusion

Registering a UK company is quick, affordable and mostly done online. With your name, registered office, director, shareholders, SIC code and PSC details ready, and identity verification completed, you can incorporate for £100 online and usually have your certificate within 24 hours. The key change to plan for is the ECCTA identity verification requirement that became mandatory on 18 November 2025, so build that step into your preparation.

Once the company exists, your responsibilities continue, from keeping the register accurate to filing your confirmation statement and accounts on time. Getting the setup right from the start makes everything that follows easier. If you would like help incorporating correctly and staying compliant afterwards, our team can guide you through the whole process and keep your filings on track.

Frequently asked questions