Compare Company Formation Packages

Must I sign documents when registering my company?

Not on paper: It is all done online to make things simple. No printing or scanning is required.

May my limited company be formed with just one person?

One person can register and form a Limited Company online and it can be owned, managed and run by one person. This person would therefore be the sole director, shareholder and person with significant control (PSC) of the company.

When will I receive my authentication code?

You will be e-mailed the authentication code for your new company once it is registered at Companies House. You will receive your company’s documents the same way.

You can then see your company’s authentication code also online, through your customer account on our website.

Can I reserve my company name without forming a company?

No. You must register a new limited company using your desired company name in order to reserve that name and prevent others from using it.

Once your company is incorporated, you may maintain it in a dormant (i.e. non-trading) state but you must still fulfill your statutory filing and reporting obligations.

What name can I use for my company?

The name of your company cannot be the same as, or too similar to, that of another registered company.  Whatever name you choose, however, Companies House requires that a limited company has at the end of its name either “Limited” or, in its abbreviated form, “Ltd” (there is no difference between the two apart from how they appear on paper).

You can use our name search tool to check whether a company name is available. This links with a government database of registered company names to find whether the limited company name that you would like to use is available at Companies House. 

How long does it take to incorporate a company?

Companies House normally register companies between 9.00am and 5.30pm from Monday to Friday and your company will usually be formed within 3 to 6 working hours. This timescale may be subject to change, however, depending upon the workload at Companies House.

If it is vital that your company be incorporated on the same day or as quickly as possible, however, then we recommend adding the additional Same Day Service to your order on the checkout page (subject to its availability from Companies House). Please note that Same-Day Applications must be submitted before 1.30pm Monday - Friday.

What information must I provide to form my company?

You must provide a company name and personal information about directors, shareholders and PSCs (persons with significant control) such as address, date of birth and nationality. You must also give us your company address.

For further information please read our article “Seven Things to Decide Before You Set Up a Limited Company” and visit the Required Information page.

Do I need to supply proof of ID?

As a company formation agent we must follow “Know Your Customer” (KYC) requirements and obtain our customers’ proof of identity and address.

If you are a UK resident then we will perform a digital check of your ID and address using the information that you have provided in your company order form. In 90% of cases our customers successfully pass our digital ID checks.

If you are not eligible for our digital ID check, or you do not pass our digital ID check, then we will send you by e-mail a special request that you provide the necessary information and documents. For more information, please see our ID requirements.

What is a Limited Company?

Most people require a standard limited company since this is suitable for nearly all types of trading. We will be happy to tell you more about the advantages and disadvantages of a private limited company.

A limited company is a form of business legally separate from its shareholders and directors. Even if a limited company has just one person as its shareholder and director it remains a legal entity separate and distinct from that person. The company can enter into contracts, and can also be sued, in its own right.

The owners of the company are protected by “limited liability”, hence it is a “limited” company. Apart from a case of fraud or other serious wrongdoing, the owners are liable for the debts of the business only up to the value of their original investment in it.

Three main types of limited company in the UK are a private company limited by shares, a private company limited by guarantee and a public limited company.

How do I get a company Unique Tax Reference?

Your company’s Unique Tax Reference (company UTR number) is used to identify it for tax-related purposes. You will have been sent a letter confirming this specific ten-digit reference number and guidance on your tax responsibilities to your registered company address.

Once your company is registered at Companies House, HMRC will be notified of its existence automatically. Within 14 days of registering your company you will receive a letter from HMRC that will give you your company’s unique taxpayer reference.

You should also find this reference number on other statutory communication you receive from HMRC. Your company Unique Tax Reference should not be confused with the personal Unique Tax Reference number that people receive when they register for self-assessment.

Where can I find my Company Registration Number?

Your Company Registration Number (CRN) is unique, consists of 8 characters and is shown on your company’s Certificate of Incorporation.  Companies House will have automatically assigned this number to your company when it was formed.

Your CRN can be found also on any official documentation that you receive from Companies House and by searching for your company by name on the Companies House online public register.  You are welcome also to get in touch with us if you have trouble finding your CRN.

You must display your Company Registration Number on all company stationery, websites and other online material.