Introduction
Registering with Companies House creates the official legal record for your UK company. It's the standard route for a private company limited by shares, the most common structure in the UK. Sole traders skip this step entirely and register with HMRC instead.
The process itself isn't complicated. Most applications go through within hours. Clean approval still depends on the right structure, accurate information, a qualifying registered office, and, as of late 2025, completed identity checks for directors and PSCs. Miss one and you risk delays or rejection.
This guide covers eligibility, what to prepare, the actual filing steps, current fees, common rejection points, and what happens after incorporation. We'll also flag where alternatives like an LLP or overseas establishment registration make more sense than a standard Ltd company.
Key Takeaways
- UK limited company filing needs accurate name, registered office, directors, shareholders, PSCs, share structure, SIC code, and articles.
- Companies House registration does not cover bank accounts, Corporation Tax, VAT, trade licences, or immigration permission.
- Overseas founders can usually incorporate remotely with a qualifying UK registered office and required identity verification.
- Confirm current fees, identity rules, and filing requirements with Companies House before you submit.
How to Register a Company with Companies House in the UK
Step 1: Choose the Right Company Structure
Before filing anything, decide which legal structure actually fits your business. A private company limited by shares works well for founders raising capital or building equity value, but it isn't the only option.
| Structure | Best for | Liability | Registers with Companies House? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private company limited by shares | Founders raising capital, building equity value | Limited to amount invested | Yes |
| Company limited by guarantee | Non-profits, charities, community projects | Limited to guaranteed amount | Yes |
| LLP | Multi-partner professional firms (2+ members) | Limited, partnership-style flexibility | Yes, via form LL IN01 |
| Sole trader | Solo, low-risk trading | Unlimited personal liability | No, registers with HMRC instead |
| Overseas establishment | Existing foreign company opening a UK branch | Depends on parent company | Yes, via form OS IN01 |
A sole trader never touches Companies House; HMRC handles that registration instead. An LLP needs at least two designated members before you can even start the LL IN01 form.
If you already run a business in Australia and simply want a UK presence, you may not need a new company at all. Registering a UK establishment through form OS IN01 records your existing overseas company's UK branch. It isn't a fresh legal entity.
Step 2: Choose and Check the Company Name
Search the Companies House name availability checker before you commit to a name. The tool flags anything identical or too similar to a name already on the register.
- Certain words need prior permission: "Accredited," "Royal," or anything implying a government connection are common examples
- Punctuation and special characters don't count as a meaningful difference from an existing name
- Passing the availability check doesn't guarantee approval; Companies House can still object during processing
Keep the spelling and legal ending (Ltd or Limited) identical everywhere: your application, website, invoices, and every future filing. A mismatch here causes more admin headaches than most founders expect.
Step 3: Prepare Registered Details and People
With a name in hand, gather everything Companies House needs about the company and the people behind it.
- A qualifying UK registered office address in the correct jurisdiction (England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland). PO boxes don't qualify.
- Full details for each director: name, date of birth, nationality, and a service address
- Shareholder and subscriber information, including how shares are allocated
- Details of anyone counted as a person with significant control (PSC)
- A SIC code that accurately describes what the company actually does
Choosing a SIC code isn't just a formality. An inaccurate or overly broad code can complicate licensing checks later and confuse anyone reviewing the public register, including banks and investors.
Step 4: Submit the Incorporation Application
Most founders file online through the official Companies House service. Paper filing using form IN01 still exists, but it's slower and mainly used for complex cases or where software filing isn't possible.
You'll need to prepare:
- Memorandum and articles of association (model or bespoke)
- Statement of capital and share allocation
- Officer and PSC details
- Registered office confirmation
- Any requested identity verification information
Fees vary by filing route under the current Companies House fee schedule:
- Online incorporation: £100, usually processed within 24 hours
- Paper filing: £124
- Same-day software incorporation: £156
Paper and complex applications take longer than standard online filing.
Once approved, you'll receive a Certificate of Incorporation and a company registration number. This confirms your company legally exists, nothing more.
It doesn't prove you've opened a bank account, registered for VAT, secured a licence, or obtained immigration permission. Those are separate processes entirely.
When Should You Register a Company and What Do You Need First?
Incorporation makes sense once you need a separate legal entity: limited liability, share ownership, a formal structure for investors, or simply a company name for contracts. If you're still testing an idea with minimal risk, a sole trader setup might serve you better until the business proves itself.
Some situations call for extra planning before you file:
- Non-resident or overseas ownership
- Multiple shareholders with different rights
- An overseas parent company setting up a UK subsidiary
- Regulated activities requiring separate licensing
- Plans to hire employees or sell cross-border
- Uncertainty around UK tax residence
Practical requirements before you apply
Have a secure email address, a working payment method, and copies of identity documents ready for every director and PSC. Store your incorporation paperwork somewhere safe; you'll need it repeatedly for banking, tax registrations, and contracts.
Overseas founders should sort out their UK registered office arrangement before starting the application. An overseas residential address simply won't qualify.
Information to have ready
Before you open the application form, gather:
- Proposed company name and jurisdiction
- Registered office address
- Director and shareholder details
- Share classes and allocation
- PSC information
- SIC code and choice of articles
Cross-check every name, date, address, and ownership percentage against passports, proof of address, and existing corporate documents before you submit. Small mismatches cause delays.
Complex ownership structures, non-resident founders, cross-border trading, or regulated activities usually justify professional advice before filing rather than after a rejection.
VJM Global works with overseas founders on that planning layer—entity formation timelines, tax registrations, and ongoing accounting once the UK company is trading—especially where several jurisdictions have to line up from day one.
Key Details That Affect the Companies House Application
These are the control points that decide whether your application gets accepted, and whether the resulting company record actually reflects your business.
Company Name and Legal Identity
- Identical or confusingly similar names get rejected outright
- Sensitive words implying government ties, professional regulation, or national significance need prior consent
- Inconsistent legal endings or spelling across documents create problems later, even if the initial filing succeeds
Check the official Companies House naming guidance before filing, then check again right before you submit. Another company could register your intended name in the meantime.
Registered Office and Service Addresses
- Registered office: a public, physical UK address able to receive and forward official mail
- Director's service address: separate from their home address, also public
- Trading address and correspondence address: separate from the registered office and director's service address, and not always public
Using a home address as the registered office puts it permanently on the public record. Most founders use an accountant's or formation agent's address instead, provided it meets the same delivery requirements.
Directors, Shareholders, and PSCs
A director runs the company; a shareholder owns it. A subscriber signs the original incorporation documents. A PSC is anyone with significant control, typically holding more than 25% of shares or voting rights.
- Corporate shareholders and layered ownership structures still need to be traced back to an identifiable PSC
- Since 18 November 2025, identity verification has been mandatory for new directors and PSCs at incorporation
- Existing directors and PSCs complete verification during the transition period, typically alongside their confirmation statement
- Verification runs through GOV.UK One Login or an authorised corporate service provider, producing a personal code that links your identity to your role
Share Structure, SIC Codes, and Constitutional Documents
The statement of capital records how many shares exist, their class, nominal value, and who holds them. Get this wrong and you're looking at share transfer paperwork later just to fix it.
- SIC codes must come from the current official list. Outdated or vague codes create compliance headaches later.
- Model articles suit most straightforward single-founder or simple co-founder companies.
- Bespoke articles make sense for multiple founders, investor rights, different share classes, or unusual voting arrangements. Get legal advice before drafting these yourself.
Common Mistakes, Troubleshooting, and Alternatives
Most Companies House delays and rejections come from avoidable filing errors. Watch for these pitfalls:
- Skipping name checks: Review the register and sensitive-word guidance before filing, then check again immediately before submission. Names get taken quickly.
- Incomplete or inconsistent information: Cross-reference your application against passports, proof of address, corporate records, and PSC details before you submit.
- Unsuitable registered office or missing identity verification: If mail can't be delivered or an officer's verification is incomplete, the application stalls or gets rejected.
- If rejected: Identify the exact reason Companies House gives, fix only the affected information, confirm whether a new fee applies, and keep the rejection notice on file.
If a standard Ltd company is not the right fit, other UK structures may serve you better:
- Sole trader: Suits someone testing a low-risk idea solo
- LLP: Fits qualifying multi-member professional ventures, such as accountancy or law partnerships
- Overseas establishment: An existing overseas business opening a UK office typically needs this registration rather than a brand-new UK company
The right choice depends on liability, ownership, tax treatment, and cross-border plans, not just which option costs less upfront.
Conclusion
Registering with Companies House follows a logical sequence: pick the right structure, get your information accurate, verify the people involved, file through the correct route, and keep the official documents safe.
Incorporation is only the starting point. Your new company still needs:
- HMRC registrations
- A business bank account
- Any required licence and insurance
- Proper accounting from day one
- Recurring Companies House filings (confirmation statement and annual accounts)
If you're an overseas founder, or dealing with complex ownership and tax questions, get advice before you file, not after. VJM Global supports founders working across borders with entity formation, tax registration, and accounting once the company is live.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register a company with Companies House in the UK?
Choose your structure, check name availability, and gather director, shareholder, PSC, and SIC details. Complete identity verification if required, then file online or by paper with the fee. You'll receive a certificate of incorporation once approved.
How much does it cost to register a company with Companies House in the UK?
Fees depend on your filing route, so always check the current Companies House fee schedule before applying. This is separate from registered office, professional, accounting, tax, and licensing costs.
How do directors verify their identities with Companies House?
Directors verify via GOV.UK One Login or an authorised corporate service provider and receive a personal code. New appointments verify at incorporation; existing directors verify during the transition—check GOV.UK for current deadlines.
How can I find and update company information?
Search the public Companies House register by company name or number. To update details like addresses, officers, or PSC information, use the appropriate online filing service, such as WebFiling.
