Summary
- Registering a limited company creates a separate legal entity, and Companies House issues a certificate of incorporation once it approves your application.
- Online registration costs £100 and completes in around 24 hours, while postal registration costs £124 and takes 8 to 10 days.
- Every director and person with significant control must verify their identity with Companies House, and you must register for corporation tax within three months of trading.
- This guide explains how to register a limited company for business owners and entrepreneurs in the UK.
- LegalVision’s business structuring lawyers advise UK founders on share structures for multiple shareholders, bespoke articles of association, and director and PSC identity verification.
Tips for Businesses
Get every director and PSC verified before you file, since an unverified appointment blocks the application. Check restricted words such as Royal and British before you settle on a name. Use a service address rather than your home, because the register is public. Issue share certificates and open your statutory registers within the first weeks. Speak to a business lawyer at LegalVision about bespoke articles for a multi shareholder company.
You register a limited company in the UK by filing an application with Companies House, either online for £100 or by post for £124. Companies House then issues a certificate of incorporation, which confirms the company exists as a separate legal entity. Every private limited company needs a unique name ending in Limited or Ltd, at least one director aged 16 or over, a registered office address in the UK, a share structure and articles of association. Since 18 November 2025, each director and person with significant control must also verify their identity with Companies House before the appointment goes through. Registration alone does not settle your tax position, since HMRC requires a separate corporation tax registration. This article explains how to register a limited company in the UK, from choosing a name and share structure to identity verification, corporation tax registration and the corporate housekeeping you complete after incorporation.
What is a Limited Company?
A limited company is legally separate from the people who own it. This means the company can own property, sign contracts, owe money and take legal responsibility in its own name.
Every limited company must have at least one director. The director is responsible for running the business and making decisions for the company. Shareholders usually only risk the money they have invested in the company.
However, this protection is not always viable. Directors or shareholders may still be personally responsible in some situations, such as if they personally guarantee a company’s debt, trade when the company cannot pay its debts, or fail to meet their legal duties as directors.
Types of Limited Companies
Private Limited Company (Ltd)
A private limited company is the most common structure for small and medium-sized UK businesses. Shares in a private company cannot be offered to the general public. Most businesses registering for the first time choose this structure.
Public Limited Company (PLC)
A public limited company can offer shares to the public and list on a stock exchange. PLCs must maintain a minimum share capital of £50,000 and meet stricter regulatory requirements than private companies.
Continue reading this article below the formCall 0808 196 8584 for urgent assistance.
Otherwise, complete this form, and we will contact you on the same business day.
Step-by-Step: How to Register Your Limited Company
1. Choose a Company Name
Your company name must be unique. You can check availability using the Companies House online search tool before submitting your application.
Private company names must end with “Limited” or “Ltd”. Public company names must end with “Public Limited Company” or “PLC”. Certain words and expressions require prior approval before you can use them, including “Royal”, “British” and “Authority”.
2. Appoint Directors and Consider a Company Secretary
You must appoint at least one director aged 16 or over. Directors are legally responsible for running the company and ensuring it complies with all applicable legal requirements. When registering, you will need to provide each director’s full name, date of birth, nationality and residential address.
Private limited companies are not legally required to appoint a company secretary, although many choose to do so for help managing administrative obligations. Public limited companies must appoint a qualified company secretary.
3. Register a Registered Office Address
Your company must have a registered office address in the UK. Companies House and HMRC will send all official correspondence to this address, including your authentication code. You can use your home address, business premises or a professional registered office service. Bear in mind that the registered office address appears on the public register, so consider privacy implications if you plan to use a personal address.
4. Decide on Share Structure
You need to determine how many shares your company will issue and at what value. A common starting point is 100 ordinary shares at £1 each, giving a total share capital of £100.
You must identify all shareholders and record how many shares each person holds. Shareholders own the company and hold rights, including voting on major decisions. You can also issue different classes of shares with different rights attached, such as ordinary shares and preference shares.
5. Prepare Your Memorandum and Articles of Association
The memorandum of association is a legal statement signed by all initial shareholders confirming their agreement to form the company. The articles of association set out the written rules for how the company will be governed, managed and operated.
When you register, Companies House will automatically apply the Model Articles unless you provide your own. However, if you have multiple shareholders, complex governance needs or specific commercial arrangements, you should consider preparing bespoke articles of association tailored to your requirements.
6. Register with Companies House
You can register your company online through the Companies House website or by post using form IN01. The costs and timelines differ depending on the method you choose.
“The Model Articles cause more trouble than the registration itself. Founders accept them at incorporation, then discover two years later that they give a departing shareholder no obligation to sell. If you are going in with anyone else, sort out the articles and a shareholders agreement at the start.”
Online registration costs £100 and the competition is done within 24 hours. Postal registration costs £124 and takes 8 to 10 days.
You will need to provide all the details gathered in the previous steps: your company name, registered office address, director information, share structure and constitutional documents. Once Companies House approves your application, it will issue a certificate of incorporation confirming your company is legally registered.
What You Must Do After Registration
| Register for Corporation Tax | Secure Your Authentication Code | Complete Your Corporate Administration |
|---|---|---|
| You must register your company for corporation tax with HMRC within three months of starting business activities. Business activities include buying, selling, advertising, employing staff or renting premises. Failing to register on time can result in penalties. | Companies House will post a six-digit authentication code to your registered office address. You need this code to make any future online filings with Companies House. Keep it secure and do not share it. | You should issue share certificates to all shareholders and collect the subscription money for those shares. Directors should sign consent to act forms and any initial board resolutions. You should also set up your statutory registers, which include registers of members, directors, persons with significant control (PSC) and your company’s registered office. |
Key Takeaways
Registering a limited company involves several important steps that you must complete correctly. You need to choose a unique company name, appoint at least one director and register a UK address. You must also decide on your share structure and prepare your memorandum and articles of association, either using the Model Articles or bespoke articles. The registration process is completed through Companies House, either online or by post, and costs between £100 and £156 depending on the service you choose. After registration, you must complete various administrative tasks, including registering for corporation tax, issuing share certificates, producing statutory registers and obtaining your authentication code.
LegalVision provides ongoing legal support for businesses through our fixed-fee legal membership. Our experienced business lawyers help businesses manage contracts, employment law, disputes, intellectual property, and more, with unlimited access to specialist lawyers for a fixed monthly fee. To learn more about LegalVision’s legal membership, call 0808 196 8584 or visit our membership page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to register a limited company?
Online registration through Companies House takes around 24 hours. Postal registration takes 8 to 10 days. A same day service costs £156 if you file digitally before 3pm. Companies House then issues your certificate of incorporation, which confirms the company can start trading.
What are the Model Articles and do I need bespoke articles?
The Model Articles are the standard governance rules Companies House applies automatically when you register. They suit straightforward single shareholder companies. Choose bespoke articles of association where you have several shareholders, different share classes, or commercial arrangements the standard rules do not cover.
Can a director also be a shareholder?
Yes. One person can hold both roles. The director runs the company day to day and owes duties to it. The shareholder owns the shares and votes on major decisions. Most small UK companies start with one person doing both.
Do I need a company secretary?
Private limited companies do not need a company secretary. Public limited companies must appoint a qualified one. Many private companies still appoint a secretary to manage Companies House filings, statutory registers and board paperwork, particularly once outside shareholders come in.
We appreciate your feedback! Request your free consultation now.
