Companies House Registration &
UK Company Formation

Expert support for incorporating your business through Companies House — from selecting the right company structure and preparing incorporation documents to post-registration compliance and HMRC registration.

Start Your UK Incorporation

For any individual or entity wishing to operate as a registered company in the United Kingdom, incorporation through Companies House is the required first step. Companies House is the UK's official registrar of companies, responsible for incorporating companies, maintaining the public register of company information, and recording changes to company details throughout a company's lifetime.

What is Companies House?

Companies House is an executive agency of the UK Government, operating under the Companies Act 2006. It serves as the United Kingdom's registrar of companies and maintains the public register of all companies incorporated in England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Its core functions include incorporating new companies, recording changes to existing companies, and dissolving companies that are being struck off.

Important: Companies House does not regulate foreign investment, issue business licences, or grant investment approvals. It is a registration and record-keeping body. Companies registered with Companies House gain separate legal personality and the ability to enter into contracts, hold assets, and operate as a legal entity in the United Kingdom.

UK Company Structures

When incorporating through Companies House, you will need to choose a company structure appropriate to your business model, ownership requirements, and activities. The most common structures registered at Companies House include:

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Private Limited Company (Ltd) The most widely used structure for UK businesses. Shareholders have limited liability; there is no minimum share capital requirement. Suitable for businesses of all sizes and fully open to overseas ownership.
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Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) A flexible structure often used by professional services firms such as solicitors, accountants, and consultants. Partners benefit from limited liability while maintaining a partnership structure.
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Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) Commonly used by charities, not-for-profit organisations, clubs, and trade associations. Members provide a nominal guarantee rather than holding shares.
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Public Limited Company (PLC) Used by larger businesses seeking to offer shares to the public. Requires a minimum allotted share capital of £50,000 (of which at least 25% must be paid up) and additional regulatory requirements.

Incorporation Process

We guide you through the Companies House incorporation process from initial planning through to post-registration compliance.

Structure & Name Selection Choosing the appropriate company structure (Ltd, LLP, CLG, or PLC), selecting a compliant company name, and confirming Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes for your proposed business activities.

Incorporation Details & Documents Preparing the incorporation application including director and shareholder details, registered office address, share structure (for Ltd/PLC), and Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Companies House Submission Submitting the incorporation application to Companies House via the online portal or paper filing, accompanied by the applicable filing fee.

Certificate of Incorporation & HMRC Registration Receiving the Certificate of Incorporation and Company Registration Number (CRN) from Companies House, followed by registration with HMRC for Corporation Tax, VAT (where applicable), and PAYE.

Scope of Our Company Formation Services

Company incorporation support and Companies House filing
SIC code assessment and company structure advice
Director and shareholder structuring guidance
Pre-incorporation market feasibility support

Registered office address services
HMRC Corporation Tax and PAYE registration guidance
VAT registration support
Corporate governance and post-incorporation compliance planning

Who May Require UK Company Registration?

Companies House registration is required for any business that wishes to operate as an incorporated company in the United Kingdom. Common scenarios include:

Overseas Investors & International Companies

International businesses establishing a UK subsidiary or wholly-owned company, with no restriction on foreign ownership in the vast majority of sectors.

UK Branches & Overseas Companies

Foreign companies establishing a UK branch (registered as an Overseas Company at Companies House) without creating a separate UK legal entity.

Non-Profit Organisations & Professional Firms

Charities, trade associations, and professional services firms seeking an appropriate incorporated structure such as a Company Limited by Guarantee or LLP.

Key Benefits of UK Incorporation

Separate Legal Personality A registered company is a distinct legal entity, separate from its owners and directors, capable of entering into contracts, owning assets, and incurring liabilities in its own name.
Limited Liability Protection Shareholders' liability is generally limited to the value of their shares, providing financial protection for the company's owners in the event of business losses or insolvency.
Access to UK Business Banking An incorporated company can apply to open a UK corporate bank account, access business financing, and engage with UK financial institutions as a recognised legal entity.
Corporate Credibility & Trade Capability A registered UK company can enter into commercial contracts, employ staff, register for VAT, apply for licences relevant to its sector, and engage with clients and suppliers with recognised corporate standing.

Key Outcomes & Deliverables

Certificate of Incorporation & Company Registration Number (CRN) The official Certificate of Incorporation issued by Companies House confirming your company's legal existence, together with its unique Company Registration Number (CRN) and date of incorporation.

Incorporation Documentation & Compliance Roadmap Copies of your incorporation documents including Memorandum and Articles of Association, together with a clear roadmap for HMRC registrations, VAT, and ongoing compliance obligations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Registration with Companies House is required if you wish to operate as an incorporated company in the United Kingdom. Sole traders and general partnerships do not need to register with Companies House, though they have separate obligations with HMRC. An incorporated company gains separate legal personality, limited liability protection, and the ability to operate as a recognised legal entity.

Companies House typically processes online incorporation applications within 24 hours for standard applications, and same-day incorporation is available for an additional fee. Paper applications take longer. Processing times are subject to Companies House service levels and any queries raised on the application.

Yes. There is no general restriction on non-UK nationals or overseas entities owning shares in a UK company. The United Kingdom does not impose foreign ownership restrictions in the vast majority of commercial sectors. However, acquisitions in certain sensitive sectors (such as defence, civil nuclear, and advanced technology) may be subject to review under the National Security and Investment (NSI) Act 2021. Directors are also required to be at least 16 years of age; there is no nationality requirement for directors of a private company.

To incorporate a private limited company, you will typically need: a proposed company name; a registered office address in the UK; at least one director's details (name, date of birth, service address, and residential address); at least one shareholder and details of the share structure; Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes describing the company's intended activities; and a Memorandum and Articles of Association. No audited financial statements or embassy attestations are required for standard UK incorporation.

Once incorporated, the company must register with HMRC for Corporation Tax within three months of commencing business activity. Depending on the business, you may also need to register for VAT (if trading above the prevailing HMRC VAT threshold), PAYE (if employing staff), and file annual accounts and a Confirmation Statement (CS01) with Companies House each year. Directors have ongoing statutory duties under the Companies Act 2006.

Yes. Many company details can be updated after incorporation by filing the relevant forms at Companies House. This includes changes to the company name (NM01), director appointments or resignations (AP01/TM01), changes to the registered office address (AD01), and shareholding changes. Most changes can be filed online through the Companies House WebFiling service.

Ready to Register Your UK Company?

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Companies House Registration & UK Company Formation