If you have already decided to set up a limited company, the next step is straightforward: register with Companies House. The online process takes around 15 to 30 minutes for a standard single-director company and costs £100 (as of 1 February 2026). Standard online applications are normally processed within 24 hours; a same-day service is available for an additional fee.
But a few decisions inside that process deserve more thought than the form implies - and some choices are difficult or impossible to reverse once made.
This guide walks you through the full process - from what to prepare before you open the form, through each step of registration, to what you must do in the first 30 days after your company is incorporated.
What You Need Before You Start: Information to Prepare in Advance
Before you open the Companies House registration service, gather the information below. Having it ready means you complete the form in one sitting rather than abandoning it halfway through.
Your proposed company name (and at least one alternative in case your first choice is taken)
A registered office address in the UK - this will be publicly visible and is where official correspondence from HMRC and Companies House is sent
Full name, date of birth, nationality, and residential address for every director
Full name and address for every person with significant control (PSC) - typically anyone owning more than 25% of shares
Your chosen SIC code - a four-digit number that classifies your business activity
Your share structure - how many shares, at what nominal value, and who holds them
A valid email address and a debit or credit card for the registration fee
Use a professional address if you work from home
Your registered office address appears on the public Companies House register permanently. Many sole directors use an accountant's address or a registered address service rather than their home address. This is entirely acceptable and avoids your home address being publicly searchable.
Choosing a Company Name: The Rules and What to Check
Your company name is one of the decisions that cannot easily be changed once set - and changing it later involves a formal process and a fee. It is worth spending time here before you start the form.
Companies House will reject your application if your proposed name is identical or too similar to an existing registered company. The register is searchable at no cost via the Companies House name availability checker before you apply.
There are also naming rules you must follow:
The name must end with "Limited" or "Ltd" (or the Welsh equivalents if you register in Wales)
Certain words require approval or evidence - words like "Royal", "Bank", "Institute", and "Chartered" are restricted
The name cannot be offensive or contain punctuation other than specific permitted characters
The name must not be identical or confusingly similar to an existing registered trade mark - and infringement risk is not limited to the same sector if the mark has a strong reputation. Companies House approval does not override trade mark law; always search the UK IPO trade mark register before choosing your name.
Companies House approval is not the same as trade mark clearance
A name can pass the Companies House check and still infringe an existing trade mark. If your brand name is central to your business, check the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) trade mark register as a separate step. This is not legal advice - if you are concerned about name conflicts, a trade mark attorney can run a clearance search.
SIC Codes: How to Choose the Right One for Your Business
A SIC code - Standard Industrial Classification code - is a four-digit number that categorises your business activity. Companies House requires at least one, and you can add up to four if your business spans several activities.
The SIC code you choose does not restrict what your company can legally do - it is primarily an administrative classification used for statistical purposes. That said, choosing a clearly wrong code can create confusion with HMRC, so it is worth picking the closest match.
The full list of SIC codes is available on the Companies House website. Search by keyword - for example, "consulting", "software", "retail", or "construction" - and review the descriptions to find the best match. If nothing fits precisely, choose the closest category and add a second code if needed.
SIC codes can be updated later
Unlike your company name or initial share structure, SIC codes can be updated when you file your next confirmation statement. If you are unsure, choose the best fit for now - you are not locked in.
Share Structure and Directors: The Decisions That Matter
For most first-time founders setting up alone, the share structure question feels more complicated than it needs to be. Here is the practical reality for a standard single-director company.
The simplest structure for a single founder
Issue one class of shares - ordinary shares - at a nominal value of £1 each. Start with 100 shares. As the sole director and shareholder, you hold all 100.
This gives you 100% ownership, keeps the structure clean, and leaves room to issue additional shares later if you bring in a business partner or investor. The nominal value (£1 per share) is not what the shares are worth - it is just the par value used for accounting purposes.
If you are setting up with a co-founder
Decide on the ownership split before you start the form. If you and a partner are splitting 50/50, issue 50 shares to each. If the split is 60/40 or another ratio, issue shares in that proportion.
The initial share allocation is a decision that matters. Changing the ownership structure later - through share transfers or new share issuance - is possible but involves legal paperwork, potential stamp duty, and tax considerations. Get it right first time, and if the ownership structure is at all complex, take professional advice before you file.
Directors and shareholders are not the same thing
A director runs the company and has legal duties under the Companies Act 2006, as amended - most recently by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, which introduced mandatory identity verification for directors and new corporate criminal liability obligations.
A shareholder owns a portion of the company. In a small company, the same person often holds both roles - but they are legally distinct. Every limited company must have at least one director. There is no minimum requirement for the number of shareholders.
How to Register Online With Companies House: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
The online registration service is available at gov.uk. Most straightforward applications are processed the same day, though Companies House recommends allowing up to 24 hours. You will need to pay the registration fee at the point of submission. As of 1 February 2026, the digital incorporation fee is £100 (paper: £124). Fees are subject to change, so verify the current fee on the Companies House website before you apply.
Companies House Registration: Step by Step
Create a Companies House account
Go to the Companies House sign-in page and create a WebFiling account if you do not already have one. This is the account you will use to manage your company's filings going forward.
Start a new company registration
Select 'register a private limited company'. You will be asked to confirm the company type - for most founders this is a private company limited by shares.
Enter your company name
Type in your proposed company name. The system will tell you immediately if a name is unavailable. Include 'Limited' or 'Ltd' at the end.
Add your registered office address
Enter the full UK address. This must be a physical address - PO boxes are not accepted as standalone entries, though they can be included alongside a full address.
Add your SIC code
Search for your SIC code using the built-in lookup tool. Select the closest match and add additional codes if your business spans multiple activities.
Set up your share structure
Enter the number of shares, the class (ordinary), and the nominal value per share. Then assign shares to each shareholder by name and address.
Add directors
Enter full name, date of birth, nationality, residential address, and service address for each director. Your residential address is not publicly displayed by default - your service address is.
Confirm persons with significant control (PSCs)
Confirm who holds significant control of the company - typically anyone with more than 25% of shares or voting rights. This information is publicly visible on the register.
Review, pay, and submit
Review all the information carefully before submitting. Pay the registration fee by card. You will receive an email confirmation and, once approved, a Certificate of Incorporation.
Your Certificate of Incorporation confirms your company's legal existence, its registered number, and the date of incorporation. Keep it - you will need it for bank account applications and other formal purposes.
What Happens After Registration: Your First 30 Days as a Limited Company
Incorporation is the start, not the finish. Several steps need to happen quickly after your company is registered - some are legal requirements, others are practical necessities.
Register for Corporation Tax with HMRC - you must do this within three months of starting any business activity (including advertising, taking on staff, or buying stock), not just making your first sale.
Register for VAT if your taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period (the threshold since 1 April 2024 - always verify the current figure on GOV.UK before relying on it, as it is subject to change). VAT registration is also available voluntarily if it benefits your business.
Set up a business bank account - most banks require your Certificate of Incorporation and your Companies House registration number. This keeps your business finances separate from your personal accounts, which is a legal and practical necessity as a limited company director.
Register for PAYE (Pay As You Earn) if you plan to pay yourself a salary through the company - even a small director's salary requires PAYE registration*
Obtain any licences or regulatory approvals your specific business activity requires. The Companies House registration does not cover sector-specific licensing.
* Since April 2025 the employer NIC Secondary Threshold dropped from £9,100 to £5,000 (rate rose to 15%), meaning any director salary above £5,000 now triggers employer NIC - this is a significant change, so be sure to seek professional guidance.
The three-month Corporation Tax window is easy to miss
HMRC requires you to register for Corporation Tax within three months of starting to trade - not three months from incorporation. If you begin trading immediately after registration, that clock starts on day one. Set a reminder and do not leave this step.
Setting Up Your Business Bank Account and Accounting After Registration
A dedicated business bank account is not optional for a limited company - mixing personal and company finances creates legal and accounting problems. Open one as soon as your Certificate of Incorporation arrives.
Several UK banks and fintech providers offer business current accounts for new companies, from traditional high-street banks to app-based accounts opened in minutes. Your choice will depend on the features you need and how much you are willing to pay in monthly fees.
Set up an accounting system before money starts moving. Accounting tools designed for small UK companies handle invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, and VAT returns. Getting your bookkeeping right from the start is significantly easier than untangling a year's worth of transactions later.
Your accountant can handle the post-registration admin
If you plan to work with an accountant, bring them in now rather than after you have started trading. A good accountant can handle your Corporation Tax registration, set up your payroll, advise on your salary and dividend structure, and get your bookkeeping started correctly. This is a practical time to engage them - not at the end of your first trading year.
Your Ongoing Obligations: What You Must Do Each Year as a Company Director
Registering a company creates ongoing legal obligations. Missing them results in automatic penalties from Companies House or HMRC - neither organisation sends reminders as standard. As a director, it is your responsibility to know these deadlines.
Confirmation statement – filed annually with Companies House to confirm your company's details are up to date*
Annual accounts (statutory accounts) - Annual accounts (statutory accounts) – filed with Companies House each year**
Corporation Tax return (CT600) – filed with HMRC annually, due 12 months after the end of your accounting period***
VAT returns - if registered for VAT, typically filed quarterly. Due one month and seven days after the end of each VAT period.
PAYE and payroll - if you pay a salary, Real Time Information (RTI) submissions to HMRC are required each time you run payroll.
Self Assessment - as a director, you must register for Self Assessment and file a personal tax return each year, even if all your income comes through the company.
* Due within 14 days of your confirmation statement date. As of 1 February 2026, the digital filing fee is £50 (always verify the current amount on the Companies House website before filing).
** For a company's first accounts (which may cover up to 18 months), the deadline is 21 months from the date of incorporation. For all subsequent years, accounts are due nine months after the accounting reference date.
*** Corporation Tax itself must be paid within nine months and one day of the period end. For 2025/26, the small profits rate is 19% on profits up to £50,000, the main rate is 25% on profits over £250,000, and marginal relief applies between those thresholds.
A calendar reminder on day one is worth more than a late-filing penalty
When your Certificate of Incorporation arrives, note your company's incorporation date and set calendar reminders for your confirmation statement anniversary and your first accounting period end. Companies House and HMRC charge automatic penalties for late filing - and they accumulate quickly. An accountant or company secretary can manage these deadlines for you if you prefer not to track them directly.
Registering a limited company is genuinely straightforward for a standard single-director business. The form is clear, the process is fast, and for most founders the hardest part is simply knowing which decisions matter before they start. Now you do.
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