A UK limited company is its own legal person. You become a director and (usually) a shareholder. It's the right structure if you want personal liability protection, plan to pay yourself dividends, or want to bring on investors. The registration itself is straightforward — but the decisions you bake in at incorporation are surprisingly hard to undo, so take the extra 30 minutes to read this before you click submit.
Direct answer
The standard online or software incorporation fee is £100. This guide covers the key formation choices and the official filings to plan for before you submit. Use the key facts, step list and official source links on this page to confirm the decision before you spend money or register anything.
- Cost
- £100 (online or software)
- Time
- Processing time varies
- Min directors
- 1
- Min shareholders
- 1
Checklist
Quick checklist
- Run a name availability check
- Pick your registered office address
- List directors and PSCs
- Choose SIC codes
- Register at gov.uk/limited-company-formation (£100 online or software fee, checked 25 August 2026)
- Open a business bank account
- Register for Corporation Tax within 3 months
- Diarise accounts and confirmation statement deadlines
Section 01
Decide before you click 'register'
- Company name — must be unique, not 'too similar' to an existing one, and not contain sensitive words without permission.
- Registered office address — public on the register; many founders use an accountant's or service provider's address for privacy.
- Directors — at least one over 16. Their service address goes on the public register.
- Shareholders — usually the same as directors at the start. 100 ordinary shares of £1 is the standard default.
- PSC (People with Significant Control) — anyone holding >25% shares or voting rights must be declared.
- SIC codes — up to four; pick the most accurate trade codes from the Companies House list.
- Articles of association — most founders use model articles (free, fine for almost everyone).
Section 02
The registration — step by step
- 01
Check the name
Use Companies House name availability checker. Reject anything 'too similar' (Companies House's list includes plurals, punctuation variants, and common abbreviations).
- 02
Go to gov.uk/limited-company-formation
The official Companies House route costs £100 online or by software (fee checked 25 August 2026). Compare formation-agent packages carefully: they can include extras, but may also include ongoing services or different terms.
- 03
Create or sign in to your Companies House account
Separate from your Government Gateway — you'll need both.
- 04
Enter company details
Name, registered office, SIC codes, directors, shareholders, share capital (£1 × 100 is the common default), PSC information.
- 05
Adopt model articles
Unless your accountant has told you otherwise, pick model articles. Custom articles slow incorporation by 5–10 days.
- 06
Pay £100 and submit
Check the current processing estimate when you submit. Straightforward digital applications can be processed quickly, but timing is not guaranteed.
- 07
Receive your certificate of incorporation
Emailed as a PDF. Your company exists from the moment of incorporation, even if you do nothing else.
Section 03
What you must do in the first 90 days
- Register for Corporation Tax with HMRC within 3 months of trading.
- Open a business bank account in the company name.
- Set up bookkeeping software — Xero, QuickBooks or FreeAgent (free with Mettle / Tide / NatWest).
- If turnover will exceed £90,000 in a rolling 12 months — register for VAT.
- If hiring — register as an employer for PAYE.
- Note your accounting reference date (usually month-end of your incorporation anniversary).
Section 04
Recurring obligations
- Annual accounts to Companies House (9 months after year-end).
- Corporation Tax return (CT600) to HMRC (12 months after year-end; payment due in 9 months).
- Confirmation statement (CS01) — £50 for the first statement in each 12-month payment period when filed online or through software; it records company information and control.
- Update Companies House within 14 days of changes (directors, addresses, share issues).
Partner offers
Before you go — claim your reader offers
Two offers we recommend to every UK founder. Codes are exclusive to readers of this guide.
Business banking
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Up to £200 cash
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Business credit card
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7,500 bonus points
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18+ and UK requirements apply. Tide: £75 after at least £100 of eligible Tide card transactions in 30 days, plus £125 when the separate Tide Instant Saver milestone is met. New customers only. Terms, eligibility and payment timing apply. Capital on Tap: 7,500 bonus points after a completed qualifying card or cash transaction in the three months after approval, subject to Capital on Tap’s current partner terms. 18+, UK-resident qualifying company applicants. Credit subject to status and affordability. We may receive a commission if you sign up; it does not change the provider’s offer or pricing.
Common questions