How to Register a Limited Company at Companies House

Your company name must be unique on the Companies House register and must end with "Limited" or "Ltd" (or "cyfyngedig" / "cyf" if registered in Wales). Before you commit, use the free name availability checker at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Search not only the exact name but close variations — Companies House will reject names that are too similar to existing registrations.

Certain words require approval or evidence before use: "Royal", "Bank", "Institute", "University", and regulated profession titles such as "Solicitor" or "Chartered Accountant". Including these without approval will result in your application being rejected. Avoid names that could mislead the public about the nature or scale of your business, as these also contravene the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2014.

Once you have confirmed availability, check that a matching .co.uk domain is also free. Registering the domain before you file your company name prevents competitors from taking it in the window between your search and your registration being approved.

The two most common structures for small businesses in England are a private limited company (Ltd) and a limited liability partnership (LLP). An Ltd has shareholders and directors; an LLP has designated members. Limited companies are more familiar to customers, banks, and investors and are the default choice for most sole traders incorporating for the first time.

A limited liability partnership suits professional services firms — solicitors, accountants, architects — where all principals contribute to the business and share profits, but no one wants to be treated as an employee. LLPs file accounts publicly at Companies House but have more flexibility in how profits are distributed than an Ltd.

Community interest companies (CICs) are available if your business has a social purpose and you want to lock assets for community benefit. This is a separate application process with additional regulatory oversight from the CIC Regulator. If in doubt, register as a standard Ltd — you can always convert later.

Every limited company must have at least one director who is a natural person aged 16 or over. Directors are legally responsible for filing accounts and confirmation statements on time, maintaining accurate records, and acting in the best interests of the company. Breaching these duties can result in personal liability and disqualification.

Shares define ownership. If you are the sole founder, you might issue 100 ordinary shares to yourself at £1 each — simple and easy to expand later if you take on investors or co-founders. If there are two founders, a 50/50 split is common, though many founders prefer 60/40 to avoid deadlock. Record the rights attached to each share class in your articles of association.

You will also need a registered office address in England, Wales, or Scotland (depending on where you incorporate). This address appears on public record. If you work from home and do not want your home address on the Companies House register, use a registered office service — many accountants and formation agents offer this for £50–100 per year.

The fastest way to register is through the Companies House Web Incorporation Service at start.companieshouse.gov.uk. The fee is £50 (as of 2025) and most applications are approved within 24 hours. You will need: your chosen company name, the registered office address, details of all directors and shareholders (name, date of birth, nationality, residential address), and the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code that best describes your business activity.

If you use a formation agent, costs typically run £12–100 depending on the package. Agents can be useful if you want tailored articles of association or a registered office address included in the package. However, the DIY route is straightforward for a straightforward Ltd with standard articles.

Once registered, you will receive a Certificate of Incorporation with your company number and date of incorporation. This is your proof of existence — keep it safely and provide it to your bank when opening a business account.

After incorporation, two recurring filings are mandatory. The confirmation statement (formerly the annual return) must be filed every 12 months. It confirms that the information Companies House holds about your company is accurate — directors, shareholders, registered office, SIC codes. The fee is £34 online. Missing this deadline can result in the company being struck off the register.

Annual accounts must be filed within nine months of your company's accounting reference date (usually the anniversary of the month of incorporation). As a small company (turnover below £10.2m, balance sheet below £5.1m, fewer than 50 employees), you can file simplified "micro-entity" or "small company" accounts. These are significantly less detailed than full statutory accounts and do not require an audit.

Corporation Tax returns must be filed with HMRC within 12 months of the end of your accounting period, with any tax due paid within nine months and one day. Register for Corporation Tax within three months of starting to trade — failure to notify HMRC promptly can attract penalties even if no tax is owed.