How to Register a Company in UK? Full Process, Checklist

Last Updated on August 8, 2026

To register a company in the UK, submit an online application to Companies House via the official GOV.UK portal. As of 2026, digital incorporation costs £100 and is processed within 24 hours.

Registration requires a unique company name, a physical UK registered office address, a registered email address, and at least one director and shareholder.

Key Takeaways

• Standard digital incorporation via Companies House costs £100 and is typically processed within 24 hours.

• All appointed company directors and PSCs must complete mandatory identity verification through GOV.UK One Login or an ACSP.

• Your registered office must be a physical UK appropriate address where mail delivery can be acknowledged; PO Boxes are prohibited.

• New companies must register for Corporation Tax with HMRC within three months of starting commercial activities.

Why Registering a Company is Important?

Registering a UK company provides immediate limited liability protection, protects personal assets from business debts, unlocks corporate tax efficiencies, increases commercial credibility with large clients, and allows you to legally raise outside capital or investment.

• Limited Liability Protection: A registered limited company is a distinct legal personality. This means the business owns its own debts. If the company faces financial trouble or legal action, your personal assets (like your home, car, or personal savings) are legally protected.

• Tax Efficiency: Registering a company opens up tax planning opportunities. Instead of paying personal income tax on all net profits, a company pays Corporation Tax on profits, and owners can pay themselves through a combination of a tax-efficient salary and dividends.

• Commercial Credibility: Many large corporations, government agencies, and international suppliers will only do business with registered corporate entities. It signals that your business is stable and compliant with UK statutory standards.

• Access to Capital & Investment: If you plan to raise outside investment, secure venture capital, or take out business loans, you must have a registered corporate structure. Investors require shares in a company in exchange for their funding.

What Is the Difference Between a Sole Trader and a Limited Company in the UK?

Choosing the correct business structure dictates your legal liability, tax obligations, and administrative workload.

The table below outlines the core operational distinctions between a sole trader and a private limited company.

Operational Feature	Sole Trader	Private Limited Company (Ltd)
Legal Status	You and the business are a single legal entity.	The company is a distinct legal personality.
Financial Liability	Unlimited personal liability for business debts.	Limited liability protected by shares or guarantees.
Tax Framework	Income Tax on net profits via Self Assessment.	Corporation Tax on profits; dividends for owners.
Public Transparency	High level of privacy; records are not public.	Public filing of directors, accounts, and PSCs.
Setup Cost	Entirely free via HMRC registration.	Statutory digital registration fee applies.

How to Choose Your Business Structure?

Choose a private limited company if you plan to scale, hire staff, or secure outside investment. Choose a sole trader structure if you are a freelancer or local service provider seeking minimal administrative overhead and low initial setup costs.

How to Register a Company in UK?

To register a company in the UK, choose a unique company name, secure a physical UK registered office address, select at least one director and shareholder, choose your five-digit SIC code, and submit the incorporation application online via GOV.UK.

1. Pre-Registration Criteria & Legal Requirements

Before launching your registration application, you must finalise the core details of your corporate structure:

• Company Name: Must be completely unique and cannot be similar to an existing name on the registrar. It must avoid restricted, offensive, or sensitive terms unless formal permission is granted.

• Registered Office Address: Must be a physical “appropriate address” in the same UK jurisdiction (England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland) where documents delivered by hand or post can be acknowledged. Royal Mail PO Boxes and unmonitored virtual addresses are legally prohibited. While residential addresses are permitted, using your home address makes it part of the permanent public record.

• SIC Codes: A minimum of one five-digit Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code that accurately describes your primary commercial activities to government agencies.

• Corporate Officers: You must appoint at least one natural director (minimum 16 years old) to manage operations and at least one shareholder (who can be the same person).

• Share Capital Statement: You must explicitly state the number of shares issued, their total value, and the specific voting rights attached to them. You must also identify all Persons with Significant Control (PSC) who hold more than 25% of the shares or voting rights.

• Articles of Association: The governing constitutional documents that outline how the company will be run. Most founders select standard model articles provided by the government during setup.

• Registered Email Address: Every new company must provide a private, official registered email address to Companies House during application. This address is used by the registrar for official legal communications and is not published on the public register.

2. The Setup Pipeline

The quickest method is online filing via the official GOV.UK portal, which typically processes within 24 hours.

• Complete Identity Verification: All company directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) must verify their identity before or during application. UK residents complete this digitally via GOV.UK One Login. Overseas non-resident directors can verify through GOV.UK One Login or by using a registered Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
• Check Name Availability: Search the official Companies House register to confirm your desired business name is unique, legally compliant, and available for use.
• Assign Directors and Share Capital: Input personal details for all directors, allot the initial share capital to your shareholders, and formally declare all Persons with Significant Control (PSCs).
• Provide Verified Addresses: Enter your physical registered office address and separate official service addresses for each appointed director.
• Adopt Constitutional Documents: Select standard model articles of association or upload your customised corporate constitution documents that dictate voting and governance rules.
• Submit Fee and Application: Pay the statutory fee online using a valid payment card and submit the digital application package.

3. Application Costs & Processing Speeds

According to official schedules set by Companies House, overall incorporation costs depend on the chosen application method and speed.

Submission Method	Processing Speed	Statutory Cost
Standard Digital Filing	Within 24 hours	£100
Same-Day Digital Express	Same working day	£156
Standard Paper Filing (IN01)	Up to 10 working days	£124

Debunking Free Registration Claims

A common pattern is for commercial formation agencies to market services under the banner of a free corporate setup. In reality, the statutory government fee applies to every single incorporation.

These promotional packages bundle the registration with mandatory business bank account openings or ongoing monthly virtual address subscriptions to offset the initial fee.

Can a Foreigner Register a Company in UK as a Non-Resident?

Yes, non-UK residents can legally register a UK company entirely online without holding British citizenship or visiting the country, provided they complete remote identity verification and supply a physical UK corporate address.

Non-Resident Compliance Check

• Director Residency: No UK residency required.
• Corporate Address: MUST be a physical UK address.
• ID Verification: Mandatory global identity app.
• Business Banking: Requires international EMI (Electronic Money Institution).

How to Set Up Corporate Banking and Tax Registrations?

Once Companies House issues your official Certificate of Incorporation, your business must immediately activate its mandatory tax and financial accounts.

A limited company is a separate legal person, meaning its finances must remain completely distinct from your personal money.

Activating Your Tax Accounts

• Corporation Tax: You must register your company with HMRC for Corporation Tax within three months of starting any commercial activities. As of 2026, your business will face a split rate between 19% and 25%, depending entirely on your annual net profit thresholds.

• VAT Registration: If your taxable commercial turnover exceeds the statutory £90,000 threshold over a rolling 12-month period (or is expected to cross it within 30 days), mandatory VAT registration with HMRC is required. Once registered, your business receives a nine-digit VAT number; you can verify credentials or check potential UK B2B suppliers using official lookup tools.

• PAYE Scheme: If your business plans to pay salaries to employees or directors, you must set up a Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system before the first payment date.

Navigating Business Banking Setup

Opening a dedicated business bank account can be straightforward for UK residents using digital banking apps. However, for international entrepreneurs trying to register a company in the UK non-resident style, traditional high-street banks often require a physical UK presence.

Overseas founders typically solve this issue by using international Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) that specialise in providing cross-border corporate banking details.

Final Summary

Registering a UK limited company is a direct online process completed via GOV.UK. Before starting your application, secure a compliant physical address, draft your share structure, collect identity documents for all directors and PSCs, and prepare for the standard £100 digital filing fee.

Once incorporated, ensure immediate compliance by registering for Corporation Tax within three months and tracking your turnover against the £90,000 VAT threshold.

FAQ

How much does it cost to register as a company in the UK?

As of 2026, registering a private limited company directly with Companies House costs £100 for standard digital online incorporation. Same-day digital processing costs £156, while paper applications cost £124.

How do I register my company in the UK?

Register online via the GOV.UK Companies House portal. You must provide a unique name, an appropriate UK physical address, a registered email address, director and shareholder details, and complete identity verification.

Can I register a Ltd company myself?

Yes, founders can register a limited company directly on GOV.UK without hiring an accountant or formation agent. The online application guides you through choosing name options, officers, shares, and identity verification.

Do I need to register a company with HMRC?

Companies House automatically notifies HMRC of your incorporation. However, you must separately register your company for Corporation Tax online within three months of commencing commercial trade or business operations.

What is mandatory identity verification for UK company directors?

All company directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) must verify their identity using GOV.UK One Login or an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to ensure corporate transparency.

Can I use a virtual office address to register a company in the UK?

Yes, provided the virtual office meets Companies House “appropriate address” requirements. The address must accept physical document deliveries with recorded acknowledgement. Standard PO Boxes are strictly prohibited.

This guide is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute formal legal, financial, or tax advice.