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Company formation FAQs for our new customers

How long does it take to set up a limited company in the UK?

It will take about 15 minutes to complete and submit our simple online application form, where you will insert the details of your new company. We will conduct a pre-submission review of your order, and then forward it to Companies House, who usually take between 3 to 6 working hours to register a limited company or LLP. Please note, this timescale is subject to Companies House workload on the day and it can sometimes take longer.

How will I know when my company has been formed?

As soon as Companies House incorporate your company, we will send you an order fulfilled email with PDF copies of your company documents attached, and a note of your Companies House Authentication Code. The attached documents will include the certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association and share certificate(s). Unfortunately, Companies House do not provide any updates on progress during the company registration process.

What company type or structure should I choose?

The majority of companies set up in the UK are companies limited by shares – also known as private limited companies. They are used to conduct normal commercial business with the purpose of the owners (shareholders) making a profit, whilst providing limited liability protection should the company hit financial problems.

Alternatively, if you wish to start a non-profit organisation, perhaps for a sports club or workers co-operative, you will need to form a company limited by guarantee. Another structure is the Limited Liability Partnership or LLP, used by professionals who require limited liability, but are not allowed to trade as a limited company by their professional governing body.

We also provide several limited company structures with specific requirements and purposes: companies with multiple share classes, charities, right to manage companies, property management and PLCs.

How do I open a business bank account?

The best way to open a business bank account for your limited company is to let us make the application for you, with one of our 8 banking partners, including Barclays, TSB, Cashplus, CardOne, ANNA, Revolut, Mettle and Countingup.

All of our company formation packages include a business banking option. Simply choose your desired bank account when you reach the Banking Partners page during the company application process. As soon as your company has been formed, we will send you an email containing a link to apply for your chosen bank account. Once you have completed your application, your business bank account will be open within minutes or days – depending on which bank you have chosen.

We have the best choice of business bank accounts in the UK company formation industry. So whether you are looking for an account with a quick and easy online application, one that requires no credit check, or a period of free business banking – we believe we have the bank account which will suit your needs.

Why do you offer different address services, and what purpose do they serve?

We offer three address services. The registered office address and service address are legal requirements for all limited companies and LLPs. Companies House require an official correspondence address for the company (the registered office address), and an official address for company directors, shareholders and company secretaries (the service address). Both addresses are placed on the public record and so many clients prefer to use our address and protect the privacy of their home address.

The third service is the business address which is not a legal requirement, but provides a prestigious business location in Covent Garden, London.

If I change my mind, can I close down my company cheaply and easily?

The short answer is yes! If you register a company and decide not to start trading, closing (or striking off) the company is a simple and cheap process. We provide a cost-effective company dissolution service. If the company has traded, it is slightly more complicated, as you will be required to file up-to-date accounts with Companies House and HMRC, and making sure all taxes are paid, prior to closing the company.

Limited Company Packages

Why should I choose this package?

If you are working on a tight budget and want to form a company as inexpensively as possible – this may be the package for you. This package provides a UK private company limited by shares, with a set of digital company company documents delivered by email.
If I purchase the Basic Package can I upgrade at a later date?

Yes you can purchase additional services later; however, our services are discounted within our packages and purchasing a more expensive package is a cheaper way of obtaining additional services.

What if I only want to reserve a company name?

You cannot reserve a company name without registering a limited company. You may wish to choose the Basic Package as the least expensive way of forming a company and securing your company name; however, if you do not want your residential address displayed on the public record, we would recommed the Privacy Package.

What is the free Pre-Submission Review?

We provide a free check of your company application before it is sent to Companies House – correcting any omissions and errors.

This review considerably reduces the chances of the company being rejected by Companies House, and also ensures company documents are properly presented, without capitalisation or grammatical problems.

How do I open the business bank account?

As soon as your company is formed, you will receive an email with instructions on how to open your account. Our banking partners, such as Barclays, Mettle, and TSB will ask you to complete a short application form.

You will then receive your account number and sort code within minutes; however, some banks may take up to 5 days. If your bank account includes a business debit card, you should receive this within 3 to 5 days of opening your account.

What information do I need provide to form a company?

Forming a limited company is a simple online process; however, before starting the process you will need the following information to hand: the company name, the registered office address, director details, shareholder details (can be the same person as the director), and how many shares you want to issue.

For further reading, please have a look at our resource page: Information Required to Register a Company, which provides a useful company formation checklist.

Do I need to supply ID?

All company formation agents have a legal obligation to check Proof of ID and Address; however, most customers do not need to do anything, as we conduct electronic checks using the information supplied in the online company application.

Where we are unable to verify ID via our electronic checks, we will supply an easy to use App which will allow the supply of certified proof ID and Address using a smartphone. This App will usually be supplied free of charge; however, in some instances where checks are expensive, we may have to apply a small charge of £5.00 plus VAT.

How do I get my free domain name?

Immediately upon incorporation of your new limited company, we will send you an email which will include your digital company documents and also a voucher code and instructions on how to redeem and set up your free domain name from the our website.

Why should I choose this package?

The Complete Package is our ‘all inclusive’ offering and is designed to offer everything you will need to set up a limited company. It includes: protection of the privacy of your home address with a registered office and service address, the ability to promote a corporate image with a prestigious Central London business address; VAT registration; and the filing of your first confirmation statement.

What is the Client Portal?

Our Client Portal is an online facility available to all customers where they can manage, develop and oversee their companies. New companies can also be incorporated from the portal, without having to re-enter information from previous company formations.

It is also a customer account area, where you can review invoice and payment history, manage payment cards, access your official government mail processed and stored by our Digital Mail Service, purchase additional products and services from the Shop area and manage subscription renewals.
What is the difference between the address services in this package?

This package includes three central London address services – all have different purposes, as follows:

Registered Office Service: A UK registered office address is required to register a limited company or LLP in the UK, and all registered companies must have one at all times. It is the company’s official address for receiving government mail, notices and reminders. This address is displayed on the public record at Companies House and so many people prefer not to use their residential address for this purpose.
Service Address: This is required by every UK company director, PSC, company secretary and LLP member, and is used to receive government mail from Companies House and HMRC, addressed to the individuals regarding company matters. It is also available publicly as part of the company register at Companies House.
Business Address Service: Unlike the other two addresses, a business address is not required to register a UK company or LLP. This service provides a prestigious Central London business location where general business correspondence is sent. Its purpose is to enhance the corporate image of a business and can be displayed on a company’s website, letterheads, business cards and more.

For further reading, have a look at our Address Services Guide.

How much does it cost to forward my mail to me?

Registered office and service address mail is forwarded free of charge by email or Royal Mail post. Business address mail is forwarded at the cost of the Royal Mail postal rates plus a 15% handling fee.

Do I need to supply ID?

All company formation agents have a legal obligation to check Proof of ID and Address; however, most customers do not need to do anything, as we conduct electronic checks using the information supplied in the online company application.

Where we are unable to verify ID via our electronic checks, we will supply an easy to use App which will allow the supply of certified proof ID and Address using a smartphone. This App will usually be supplied free of charge; however, in some instances where checks are expensive, we may have to apply a small charge of £5.00 plus VAT.

How do I get my free domain name?

Immediately upon incorporation of your new limited company, we will send you an email which will include your digital company documents and also a voucher code and instructions on how to redeem and set up your free domain name from the our website.

How do I open the business bank account?

As soon as your company is formed, you will receive an email with instructions on how to open your account. Our banking partners, such as Barclays, Mettle, and TSB will ask you to complete a short application form.

You will then receive your account number and sort code within minutes; however, some banks may take up to 5 days. If your bank account includes a business debit card, you should receive this within 3 to 5 days of opening your account.

Do I need to register for VAT?

A business does not need to register for VAT until its annual taxable turnover exceeds £85,000; however, many companies choose to register voluntarily, long before their turnover hits the VAT registration threshold, for a number of commercial reasons, e.g. to reclaim ‘input tax’, enhance the company’s image, and to access more business opportunities.

The VAT Registration Service included in this package can be used at any time during the life of the company – the choice of when to register for VAT is yours.
When do you prepare and file the confirmation statement?

An experienced member of our Company Secretarial Team will prepare and file your annual confirmation statement at the end of the 12 month ‘confirmation statement period.’ The due date of a company’s first confirmation statement is the anniversary of the incorporation, i.e. the date the company was registered.
How much does it cost to renew the services after the first year?

The 3 address services, Registered Office, Service Address and Business Address can be renewed annually at the cost of £117.00, £78.00 and £288.00 respectively. The Confirmation Statement Service can be renewed annually at the cost of £104.95.

Why should I choose this package?

This package is ideal if you would like to set a limited company and want to have the peace of mind that you will not miss the filing deadline of the company’s first confirmation statement.

Also included is a set of printed company documents, including the Certificate of Incorporation on Companies House approved paper, share certificates, and a bound copy of the memorandum and articles of association.
When will I receive my printed company documents?

Your printed and bound company documents will be prepared and dispatched to you by Royal Mail post within 24 hours of your company beng incorporated.

What type of company am I purchasing?

This package provides a UK private limited by shares company, otherwise known as a ‘limited company.’ This is the most popular type of company registered in the UK and is used for the purpose of operating a profit-making business, while enjoying personal financial protection – known as limited liability.

What information do I need to provide to form a company?

Forming a limited company is a simple online process; however, before starting the process you will need the following information to hand: the company name, the registered office address, director details, shareholder details (can be the same person as the director), and how many shares you want to issue.

For further reading, please have a look at our resource page: Information Required to Register a Company, which provides a useful company formation checklist.

How do I open the business bank account?

As soon as your company is formed, you will receive an email with instructions on how to open your account. Our banking partners, such as Barclays, Mettle, and TSB will ask you to complete a short application form.

You will then receive your account number and sort code within minutes; however, some banks may take up to 5 days. If your bank account includes a business debit card, you should receive this within 3 to 5 days of opening your account.

How do I get my free domain name?

Immediately upon incorporation of your new limited company, we will send you an email which will include your digital company documents and also a voucher code and instructions on how to redeem and set up your free domain name from the our website.

Do I need to supply ID?

All company formation agents have a legal obligation to check Proof of ID and Address; however, most customers do not need to do anything, as we conduct electronic checks using the information supplied in the online company application.

Where we are unable to verify ID via our electronic checks, we will supply an easy to use App which will allow the supply of certified proof ID and Address using a smartphone. This App will usually be supplied free of charge; however, in some instances where checks are expensive, we may have to apply a small charge of £5.00 plus VAT.

Why should I choose this package?

You would like to form a limited company and would prefer not to display your home address on the public register at Companies House – thereby retaining privacy for you and your family.

The Privacy Package provides the two addresses required to form a company – the registered office address and the service address, sometimes called the ‘directors’ service address.’ Both addresses are publicly available on the company register at Companies House.

What is a registered office address?

The registered office is the official address of a UK limited company or LLP. It is used by government agencies, such as Companies House and HMRC, as the contact address for the delivery of official communications, documents, reminders and notices. Every UK registered company must always have a registered office in the UK.

The registered office address is publicly available on the company register at Companies House and it must also be displayed on a company’s website and business stationery. Many business owners choose not to use their residential address for this purpose.

What is a service address?

A service address is the official address of a UK company director, PSC (person with significant control), company secretary and LLP member, and is used to receive official mail from Companies House, HMRC, and other government agencies, addressed to those individuals.

The service address is displayed on the public register at Companies House and is one of the required addresses for the purpose of registering a limited company.

Are there any mail forwarding charges?

There are no mail forwarding charges applicable to our registered office and service address services. Mail is forwarded free of charge by either scan and email (the default delivery method) or Royal Mail post.

Do I need to supply ID?

All company formation agents have a legal obligation to check Proof of ID and Address; however, most customers do not need to do anything, as we conduct electronic checks using the information supplied in the online company application.

Where we are unable to verify ID via our electronic checks, we will supply an easy to use App which will allow the supply of certified proof ID and Address using a smartphone. This App will usually be supplied free of charge; however, in some instances where checks are expensive, we may have to apply a small charge of £5.00 plus VAT.

What is the free Pre-Submission Review?

We provide a free check of your company application before it is sent to Companies House – correcting any omissions and errors.

This review considerably reduces the chances of the company being rejected by Companies House, and also ensures company documents are properly presented, without capitalisation or grammatical problems.

How do I open the business bank account?

As soon as your company is formed, you will receive an email with instructions on how to open your account. Our banking partners, such as Barclays, Mettle, and TSB will ask you to complete a short application form.

You will then receive your account number and sort code within minutes; however, some banks may take up to 5 days. If your bank account includes a business debit card, you should receive this within 3 to 5 days of opening your account.

How do I get my free domain name?

Immediately upon incorporation of your new limited company, we will send you an email which will include your digital company documents and also a voucher code and instructions on how to redeem and set up your free domain name from our website.

How much does it cost to renew the address services after the first year?

The Registered Office Service can be renewed annually at a cost of £117.00 plus VAT. The Service Address annual renewal cost is £78.00 plus VAT.

Specialist Company Packages

What package do I need?

The answer to this question depends on your requirements:

If you’re operating on a tight budget you may wish to choose the Basic Package.
Do you need high quality printed company documents? The Plus and Complete Packages will provide these.
Do you need privacy and do not want to display your home address on the public record? The Privacy and Complete Packages provide registered office and service addresses.
If you need VAT registration – you may wish to consider the Complete Package.
You may have a need for one of our specialist company formation packages, e.g. an LLP, or a limited by guarantee company for your charity business.

Why not give our friendly Customer Service Team a call, who will be happy to hear from you and discuss your new company requirements.
Can I buy the Basic Package and add services at a later date?

Yes, you can add additional services later from the Shop area in your Company Manager Portal; however, they will not be at the discounted prices of the packages.

Can I order my new company by telephone?

Yes absolutely. Please call our Customer Service Team at and one of company experts will process your company formation order with you by telephone.

What information do I need provide to form a company?

Forming a limited company is a simple online process; however, before starting the process you will need the following information to hand: the company name, registered office address, director details, shareholder details (can be the same person as the director), and how many shares you want to issue.

For further reading, please have a look at our resource page: Information Required to Register a Company, which provides a useful company formation checklist.

Can a non-resident form a UK company?

Yes, you do not need to live in the UK to form a UK limited company. If you are at least 16 years old and not disqualified, you can form a company regardless of nationality or location.

We provide a Non-Residents Package which is ideal for overseas customers who wish to form a UK limited company, as it provides the required address services and free international delivery of company documents. It also provides a Wise UK business bank account, which is the simplest and quickest banking solution for non-UK residents.

Can I get a business bank account for my new company?

Yes, we provide up to 8 business bank accounts for our UK customers to include in their company formation order, including Barclays, TSB, Cashplus, CardOne, ANNA, Revolut, Mettle, and Countingup.

We also offer a Wise business bank account for our non-UK resident customers to send, spend and receive multiple currencies with the real exchange rate. You will get a UK account number and sort code, Eurozone IBAN, and US account and routing number within minutes, regardless of where you are in the world.

The Wise account is included in our Non-Residents Package; however, it can also be added to your basket during the company order process with any other package. There is a fixed one-time onboarding fee of £16.00 (or equivalent in local currency).

How long does it take to form a new company?

It will take you no more than 5 to 10 minutes to complete the online company application form on our website. Companies House will then usually take 3 to 6 working hours to approve your new company registration. Please note this is subject to Companies House workload on the day and it can take up to 24 hours.

If it is very important your company is incorporated as soon as possible, we would recommend you add the Guaranteed Same-Day Service to your order.

How many shares do I need to issue?

You must issue at least one share to form a limited company. If there is more than one shareholder, you must issue at least one share per person. Most new companies issue up to 100 Ordinary shares of £1 each. Issuing 100 share at £1 means you have flexibility to issue shares to other shareholders in the future and your liability is limited to £100.

What is the difference between the address services included in the packages?

The registered office and service address are legally required to form a limited company or LLP, and both are displayed on the public record. The registered office is the official address of a company, and the service address is the official address of a company director, PSC, company secretary or LLP member.

We provide a Registered Office Service and a Service Address Service, as many customers prefer to keep their home address private. All official government mail is sent to these addresses and as part of our service we will forward this mail to you by scan and email free of charge.

The business address is not a required address to register a limited company. The benefit of the Business Address Service is to provide a prestigious location and enhanced corporate image for your company. The forwarding of your general business correspondence is charged at the cost of the Royal Mail postage rates plus a 15% handling fee.

What is a SIC code and can I have more than one?

A SIC code or Standard Industrial Classification code is used to categorise a company’s business activity. To register a limited company or LLP you must choose at least one SIC code, although you can choose up to four. Do not worry if you do not know the SIC code relevant to your business activity, We provide a simple SIC code search tool where you can choose your SIC code or codes.

How do I obtain my free domain name?

As soon as your new company has been registered at Companies House, we will send you an order fulfilled email. Within this email you will receive a voucher code and instructions on how to set up your new domain using our website.

Do I need to provide ID?

All company formation agents have a legal obligation to check Proof of ID and Address; however, most customers do not need to do anything, as we carry out digital checks using the information supplied in your online company application form.

Those customers who require to provide ID can do so in a matter of minutes using their mobile phone and a simple App which we will provide. In most cases we supply the App free of charge; however, in some instances where checks are more expensive, we may ask you to pay £5.00 plus VAT to use the App.

If I change my mind and want to close down my company – is this difficult and costly?

It is a simple process to close a limited company. We offer a Company Dissolution Service at a cost of £149.95 + VAT. This cost includes the Companies House fee, filing the DS01 form and providing the Board Resolution to approve the dissolution of the company.

What package do I need?

The answer to this question depends on your requirements:

If you’re operating on a tight budget you may wish to choose the Basic Package.
Do you need high quality printed company documents? The Plus and Complete Packages will provide these.
Do you need privacy and do not want to display your home address on the public record? The Privacy and Complete Packages provide registered office and service addresses.
If you need VAT registration – you may wish to consider the Complete Package.
You may have a need for one of our specialist company formation packages, e.g. an LLP, or a limited by guarantee company for your charity business.

Why not give our friendly Customer Service Team a call, who will be happy to hear from you and discuss your new company requirements.
Can I buy the Basic Package and add services at a later date?

Yes, you can add additional services later from the Shop area in your Company Manager Portal; however, they will not be at the discounted prices of the packages.

Can I order my new company by telephone?

Yes absolutely. Please call our Customer Service Team at and one of company experts will process your company formation order with you by telephone.

What information do I need provide to form a company?

Forming a limited company is a simple online process; however, before starting the process you will need the following information to hand: the company name, registered office address, director details, shareholder details (can be the same person as the director), and how many shares you want to issue.

For further reading, please have a look at our resource page: Information Required to Register a Company, which provides a useful company formation checklist.

Can a non-resident form a UK company?

Yes, you do not need to live in the UK to form a UK limited company. If you are at least 16 years old and not disqualified, you can form a company regardless of nationality or location.

We provide a Non-Residents Package which is ideal for overseas customers who wish to form a UK limited company, as it provides the required address services and free international delivery of company documents. It also provides a Wise UK business bank account, which is the simplest and quickest banking solution for non-UK residents.

Can I get a business bank account for my new company?

Yes, we provide up to 8 business bank accounts for our UK customers to include in their company formation order, including Barclays, TSB, Cashplus, CardOne, ANNA, Revolut, Mettle, and Countingup.

We also offer a Wise business bank account for our non-UK resident customers to send, spend and receive multiple currencies with the real exchange rate. You will get a UK account number and sort code, Eurozone IBAN, and US account and routing number within minutes, regardless of where you are in the world.

The Wise account is included in our Non-Residents Package; however, it can also be added to your basket during the company order process with any other package. There is a fixed one-time onboarding fee of £16.00 (or equivalent in local currency).

How long does it take to form a new company?

It will take you no more than 5 to 10 minutes to complete the online company application form on our website. Companies House will then usually take 3 to 6 working hours to approve your new company registration. Please note this is subject to Companies House workload on the day and it can take up to 24 hours.

If it is very important your company is incorporated as soon as possible, we would recommend you add the Guaranteed Same-Day Service to your order.

How many shares do I need to issue?

You must issue at least one share to form a limited company. If there is more than one shareholder, you must issue at least one share per person. Most new companies issue up to 100 Ordinary shares of £1 each. Issuing 100 share at £1 means you have flexibility to issue shares to other shareholders in the future and your liability is limited to £100.

What is the difference between the address services included in the packages?

The registered office and service address are legally required to form a limited company or LLP, and both are displayed on the public record. The registered office is the official address of a company, and the service address is the official address of a company director, PSC, company secretary or LLP member.

We provide a Registered Office Service and a Service Address Service, as many customers prefer to keep their home address private. All official government mail is sent to these addresses and as part of our service we will forward this mail to you by scan and email free of charge.

The business address is not a required address to register a limited company. The benefit of the Business Address Service is to provide a prestigious location and enhanced corporate image for your company. The forwarding of your general business correspondence is charged at the cost of the Royal Mail postage rates plus a 15% handling fee.

What is a SIC code and can I have more than one?

A SIC code or Standard Industrial Classification code is used to categorise a company’s business activity. To register a limited company or LLP you must choose at least one SIC code, although you can choose up to four. Do not worry if you do not know the SIC code relevant to your business activity, We provide a simple SIC code search tool where you can choose your SIC code or codes.

How do I obtain my free domain name?

As soon as your new company has been registered at Companies House, we will send you an order fulfilled email. Within this email you will receive a voucher code and instructions on how to set up your new domain using our website.

Do I need to provide ID?

All company formation agents have a legal obligation to check Proof of ID and Address; however, most customers do not need to do anything, as we carry out digital checks using the information supplied in your online company application form.

Those customers who require to provide ID can do so in a matter of minutes using their mobile phone and a simple App which we will provide. In most cases we supply the App free of charge; however, in some instances where checks are more expensive, we may ask you to pay £5.00 plus VAT to use the App.

If I change my mind and want to close down my company – is this difficult and costly?

It is a simple process to close a limited company. We offer a Company Dissolution Service at a cost of £149.95 + VAT. This cost includes the Companies House fee, filing the DS01 form and providing the Board Resolution to approve the dissolution of the company.

What package do I need?

The answer to this question depends on your requirements:

If you’re operating on a tight budget you may wish to choose the Basic Package.
Do you need high quality printed company documents? The Plus and Complete Packages will provide these.
Do you need privacy and do not want to display your home address on the public record? The Privacy and Complete Packages provide registered office and service addresses.
If you need VAT registration – you may wish to consider the Complete Package.
You may have a need for one of our specialist company formation packages, e.g. an LLP, or a limited by guarantee company for your charity business.

Why not give our friendly Customer Service Team a call, who will be happy to hear from you and discuss your new company requirements.
Can I buy the Basic Package and add services at a later date?

Yes, you can add additional services later from the Shop area in your Company Manager Portal; however, they will not be at the discounted prices of the packages.

Can I order my new company by telephone?

Yes absolutely. Please call our Customer Service Team at and one of company experts will process your company formation order with you by telephone.

What information do I need provide to form a company?

Forming a limited company is a simple online process; however, before starting the process you will need the following information to hand: the company name, registered office address, director details, shareholder details (can be the same person as the director), and how many shares you want to issue.

For further reading, please have a look at our resource page: Information Required to Register a Company, which provides a useful company formation checklist.

Can a non-resident form a UK company?

Yes, you do not need to live in the UK to form a UK limited company. If you are at least 16 years old and not disqualified, you can form a company regardless of nationality or location.

We provide a Non-Residents Package which is ideal for overseas customers who wish to form a UK limited company, as it provides the required address services and free international delivery of company documents. It also provides a Wise UK business bank account, which is the simplest and quickest banking solution for non-UK residents.

Can I get a business bank account for my new company?

Yes, we provide up to 8 business bank accounts for our UK customers to include in their company formation order, including Barclays, TSB, Cashplus, CardOne, ANNA, Revolut, Mettle, and Countingup.

We also offer a Wise business bank account for our non-UK resident customers to send, spend and receive multiple currencies with the real exchange rate. You will get a UK account number and sort code, Eurozone IBAN, and US account and routing number within minutes, regardless of where you are in the world.

The Wise account is included in our Non-Residents Package; however, it can also be added to your basket during the company order process with any other package. There is a fixed one-time onboarding fee of £16.00 (or equivalent in local currency).

How long does it take to form a new company?

It will take you no more than 5 to 10 minutes to complete the online company application form on our website. Companies House will then usually take 3 to 6 working hours to approve your new company registration. Please note this is subject to Companies House workload on the day and it can take up to 24 hours.

If it is very important your company is incorporated as soon as possible, we would recommend you add the Guaranteed Same-Day Service to your order.

How many shares do I need to issue?

You must issue at least one share to form a limited company. If there is more than one shareholder, you must issue at least one share per person. Most new companies issue up to 100 Ordinary shares of £1 each. Issuing 100 share at £1 means you have flexibility to issue shares to other shareholders in the future and your liability is limited to £100.

What is the difference between the address services included in the packages?

The registered office and service address are legally required to form a limited company or LLP, and both are displayed on the public record. The registered office is the official address of a company, and the service address is the official address of a company director, PSC, company secretary or LLP member.

We provide a Registered Office Service and a Service Address Service, as many customers prefer to keep their home address private. All official government mail is sent to these addresses and as part of our service we will forward this mail to you by scan and email free of charge.

The business address is not a required address to register a limited company. The benefit of the Business Address Service is to provide a prestigious location and enhanced corporate image for your company. The forwarding of your general business correspondence is charged at the cost of the Royal Mail postage rates plus a 15% handling fee.

What is a SIC code and can I have more than one?

A SIC code or Standard Industrial Classification code is used to categorise a company’s business activity. To register a limited company or LLP you must choose at least one SIC code, although you can choose up to four. Do not worry if you do not know the SIC code relevant to your business activity, We provide a simple SIC code search tool where you can choose your SIC code or codes.

How do I obtain my free domain name?

As soon as your new company has been registered at Companies House, we will send you an order fulfilled email. Within this email you will receive a voucher code and instructions on how to set up your new domain using our website.

Do I need to provide ID?

All company formation agents have a legal obligation to check Proof of ID and Address; however, most customers do not need to do anything, as we carry out digital checks using the information supplied in your online company application form.

Those customers who require to provide ID can do so in a matter of minutes using their mobile phone and a simple App which we will provide. In most cases we supply the App free of charge; however, in some instances where checks are more expensive, we may ask you to pay £5.00 plus VAT to use the App.

If I change my mind and want to close down my company – is this difficult and costly?

It is a simple process to close a limited company. We offer a Company Dissolution Service at a cost of £149.95 + VAT. This cost includes the Companies House fee, filing the DS01 form and providing the Board Resolution to approve the dissolution of the company.

What package do I need?

The answer to this question depends on your requirements:

If you’re operating on a tight budget you may wish to choose the Basic Package.
Do you need high quality printed company documents? The Plus and Complete Packages will provide these.
Do you need privacy and do not want to display your home address on the public record? The Privacy and Complete Packages provide registered office and service addresses.
If you need VAT registration – you may wish to consider the Complete Package.
You may have a need for one of our specialist company formation packages, e.g. an LLP, or a limited by guarantee company for your charity business.

Why not give our friendly Customer Service Team a call, who will be happy to hear from you and discuss your new company requirements.
Can I buy the Basic Package and add services at a later date?

Yes, you can add additional services later from the Shop area in your Company Manager Portal; however, they will not be at the discounted prices of the packages.

Can I order my new company by telephone?

Yes absolutely. Please call our Customer Service Team at and one of company experts will process your company formation order with you by telephone.

What information do I need provide to form a company?

Forming a limited company is a simple online process; however, before starting the process you will need the following information to hand: the company name, registered office address, director details, shareholder details (can be the same person as the director), and how many shares you want to issue.

For further reading, please have a look at our resource page: Information Required to Register a Company, which provides a useful company formation checklist.

Can a non-resident form a UK company?

Yes, you do not need to live in the UK to form a UK limited company. If you are at least 16 years old and not disqualified, you can form a company regardless of nationality or location.

We provide a Non-Residents Package which is ideal for overseas customers who wish to form a UK limited company, as it provides the required address services and free international delivery of company documents. It also provides a Wise UK business bank account, which is the simplest and quickest banking solution for non-UK residents.

Can I get a business bank account for my new company?

Yes, we provide up to 8 business bank accounts for our UK customers to include in their company formation order, including Barclays, TSB, Cashplus, CardOne, ANNA, Revolut, Mettle, and Countingup.

We also offer a Wise business bank account for our non-UK resident customers to send, spend and receive multiple currencies with the real exchange rate. You will get a UK account number and sort code, Eurozone IBAN, and US account and routing number within minutes, regardless of where you are in the world.

The Wise account is included in our Non-Residents Package; however, it can also be added to your basket during the company order process with any other package. There is a fixed one-time onboarding fee of £16.00 (or equivalent in local currency).

How long does it take to form a new company?

It will take you no more than 5 to 10 minutes to complete the online company application form on our website. Companies House will then usually take 3 to 6 working hours to approve your new company registration. Please note this is subject to Companies House workload on the day and it can take up to 24 hours.

If it is very important your company is incorporated as soon as possible, we would recommend you add the Guaranteed Same-Day Service to your order.

How many shares do I need to issue?

You must issue at least one share to form a limited company. If there is more than one shareholder, you must issue at least one share per person. Most new companies issue up to 100 Ordinary shares of £1 each. Issuing 100 share at £1 means you have flexibility to issue shares to other shareholders in the future and your liability is limited to £100.

What is the difference between the address services included in the packages?

The registered office and service address are legally required to form a limited company or LLP, and both are displayed on the public record. The registered office is the official address of a company, and the service address is the official address of a company director, PSC, company secretary or LLP member.

We provide a Registered Office Service and a Service Address Service, as many customers prefer to keep their home address private. All official government mail is sent to these addresses and as part of our service we will forward this mail to you by scan and email free of charge.

The business address is not a required address to register a limited company. The benefit of the Business Address Service is to provide a prestigious location and enhanced corporate image for your company. The forwarding of your general business correspondence is charged at the cost of the Royal Mail postage rates plus a 15% handling fee.

What is a SIC code and can I have more than one?

A SIC code or Standard Industrial Classification code is used to categorise a company’s business activity. To register a limited company or LLP you must choose at least one SIC code, although you can choose up to four. Do not worry if you do not know the SIC code relevant to your business activity, We provide a simple SIC code search tool where you can choose your SIC code or codes.

How do I obtain my free domain name?

As soon as your new company has been registered at Companies House, we will send you an order fulfilled email. Within this email you will receive a voucher code and instructions on how to set up your new domain using our website.

Do I need to provide ID?

All company formation agents have a legal obligation to check Proof of ID and Address; however, most customers do not need to do anything, as we carry out digital checks using the information supplied in your online company application form.

Those customers who require to provide ID can do so in a matter of minutes using their mobile phone and a simple App which we will provide. In most cases we supply the App free of charge; however, in some instances where checks are more expensive, we may ask you to pay £5.00 plus VAT to use the App.

If I change my mind and want to close down my company – is this difficult and costly?

It is a simple process to close a limited company. We offer a Company Dissolution Service at a cost of £149.95 + VAT. This cost includes the Companies House fee, filing the DS01 form and providing the Board Resolution to approve the dissolution of the company.

What package do I need?

The answer to this question depends on your requirements:

If you’re operating on a tight budget you may wish to choose the Basic Package.
Do you need high quality printed company documents? The Plus and Complete Packages will provide these.
Do you need privacy and do not want to display your home address on the public record? The Privacy and Complete Packages provide registered office and service addresses.
If you need VAT registration – you may wish to consider the Complete Package.
You may have a need for one of our specialist company formation packages, e.g. an LLP, or a limited by guarantee company for your charity business.

Why not give our friendly Customer Service Team a call, who will be happy to hear from you and discuss your new company requirements.
Can I buy the Basic Package and add services at a later date?

Yes, you can add additional services later from the Shop area in your Company Manager Portal; however, they will not be at the discounted prices of the packages.

Can I order my new company by telephone?

Yes absolutely. Please call our Customer Service Team at and one of company experts will process your company formation order with you by telephone.

What information do I need provide to form a company?

Forming a limited company is a simple online process; however, before starting the process you will need the following information to hand: the company name, registered office address, director details, shareholder details (can be the same person as the director), and how many shares you want to issue.

For further reading, please have a look at our resource page: Information Required to Register a Company, which provides a useful company formation checklist.

Can a non-resident form a UK company?

Yes, you do not need to live in the UK to form a UK limited company. If you are at least 16 years old and not disqualified, you can form a company regardless of nationality or location.

We provide a Non-Residents Package which is ideal for overseas customers who wish to form a UK limited company, as it provides the required address services and free international delivery of company documents. It also provides a Wise UK business bank account, which is the simplest and quickest banking solution for non-UK residents.

Can I get a business bank account for my new company?

Yes, we provide up to 8 business bank accounts for our UK customers to include in their company formation order, including Barclays, TSB, Cashplus, CardOne, ANNA, Revolut, Mettle, and Countingup.

We also offer a Wise business bank account for our non-UK resident customers to send, spend and receive multiple currencies with the real exchange rate. You will get a UK account number and sort code, Eurozone IBAN, and US account and routing number within minutes, regardless of where you are in the world.

The Wise account is included in our Non-Residents Package; however, it can also be added to your basket during the company order process with any other package. There is a fixed one-time onboarding fee of £16.00 (or equivalent in local currency).

How long does it take to form a new company?

It will take you no more than 5 to 10 minutes to complete the online company application form on our website. Companies House will then usually take 3 to 6 working hours to approve your new company registration. Please note this is subject to Companies House workload on the day and it can take up to 24 hours.

If it is very important your company is incorporated as soon as possible, we would recommend you add the Guaranteed Same-Day Service to your order.

How many shares do I need to issue?

You must issue at least one share to form a limited company. If there is more than one shareholder, you must issue at least one share per person. Most new companies issue up to 100 Ordinary shares of £1 each. Issuing 100 share at £1 means you have flexibility to issue shares to other shareholders in the future and your liability is limited to £100.

What is the difference between the address services included in the packages?

The registered office and service address are legally required to form a limited company or LLP, and both are displayed on the public record. The registered office is the official address of a company, and the service address is the official address of a company director, PSC, company secretary or LLP member.

We provide a Registered Office Service and a Service Address Service, as many customers prefer to keep their home address private. All official government mail is sent to these addresses and as part of our service we will forward this mail to you by scan and email free of charge.

The business address is not a required address to register a limited company. The benefit of the Business Address Service is to provide a prestigious location and enhanced corporate image for your company. The forwarding of your general business correspondence is charged at the cost of the Royal Mail postage rates plus a 15% handling fee.

What is a SIC code and can I have more than one?

A SIC code or Standard Industrial Classification code is used to categorise a company’s business activity. To register a limited company or LLP you must choose at least one SIC code, although you can choose up to four. Do not worry if you do not know the SIC code relevant to your business activity, We provide a simple SIC code search tool where you can choose your SIC code or codes.

How do I obtain my free domain name?

As soon as your new company has been registered at Companies House, we will send you an order fulfilled email. Within this email you will receive a voucher code and instructions on how to set up your new domain using our website.

Do I need to provide ID?

All company formation agents have a legal obligation to check Proof of ID and Address; however, most customers do not need to do anything, as we carry out digital checks using the information supplied in your online company application form.

Those customers who require to provide ID can do so in a matter of minutes using their mobile phone and a simple App which we will provide. In most cases we supply the App free of charge; however, in some instances where checks are more expensive, we may ask you to pay £5.00 plus VAT to use the App.

If I change my mind and want to close down my company – is this difficult and costly?

It is a simple process to close a limited company. We offer a Company Dissolution Service at a cost of £149.95 + VAT. This cost includes the Companies House fee, filing the DS01 form and providing the Board Resolution to approve the dissolution of the company.

What package do I need?

The answer to this question depends on your requirements:

If you’re operating on a tight budget you may wish to choose the Basic Package.
Do you need high quality printed company documents? The Plus and Complete Packages will provide these.
Do you need privacy and do not want to display your home address on the public record? The Privacy and Complete Packages provide registered office and service addresses.
If you need VAT registration – you may wish to consider the Complete Package.
You may have a need for one of our specialist company formation packages, e.g. an LLP, or a limited by guarantee company for your charity business.

Why not give our friendly Customer Service Team a call, who will be happy to hear from you and discuss your new company requirements.
Can I buy the Basic Package and add services at a later date?

Yes, you can add additional services later from the Shop area in your Company Manager Portal; however, they will not be at the discounted prices of the packages.

Can I order my new company by telephone?

Yes absolutely. Please call our Customer Service Team at and one of company experts will process your company formation order with you by telephone.

What information do I need provide to form a company?

Forming a limited company is a simple online process; however, before starting the process you will need the following information to hand: the company name, registered office address, director details, shareholder details (can be the same person as the director), and how many shares you want to issue.

For further reading, please have a look at our resource page: Information Required to Register a Company, which provides a useful company formation checklist.

Can a non-resident form a UK company?

Yes, you do not need to live in the UK to form a UK limited company. If you are at least 16 years old and not disqualified, you can form a company regardless of nationality or location.

We provide a Non-Residents Package which is ideal for overseas customers who wish to form a UK limited company, as it provides the required address services and free international delivery of company documents. It also provides a Wise UK business bank account, which is the simplest and quickest banking solution for non-UK residents.

Can I get a business bank account for my new company?

Yes, we provide up to 8 business bank accounts for our UK customers to include in their company formation order, including Barclays, TSB, Cashplus, CardOne, ANNA, Revolut, Mettle, and Countingup.

We also offer a Wise business bank account for our non-UK resident customers to send, spend and receive multiple currencies with the real exchange rate. You will get a UK account number and sort code, Eurozone IBAN, and US account and routing number within minutes, regardless of where you are in the world.

The Wise account is included in our Non-Residents Package; however, it can also be added to your basket during the company order process with any other package. There is a fixed one-time onboarding fee of £16.00 (or equivalent in local currency).

How long does it take to form a new company?

It will take you no more than 5 to 10 minutes to complete the online company application form on our website. Companies House will then usually take 3 to 6 working hours to approve your new company registration. Please note this is subject to Companies House workload on the day and it can take up to 24 hours.

If it is very important your company is incorporated as soon as possible, we would recommend you add the Guaranteed Same-Day Service to your order.

How many shares do I need to issue?

You must issue at least one share to form a limited company. If there is more than one shareholder, you must issue at least one share per person. Most new companies issue up to 100 Ordinary shares of £1 each. Issuing 100 share at £1 means you have flexibility to issue shares to other shareholders in the future and your liability is limited to £100.

What is the difference between the address services included in the packages?

The registered office and service address are legally required to form a limited company or LLP, and both are displayed on the public record. The registered office is the official address of a company, and the service address is the official address of a company director, PSC, company secretary or LLP member.

We provide a Registered Office Service and a Service Address Service, as many customers prefer to keep their home address private. All official government mail is sent to these addresses and as part of our service we will forward this mail to you by scan and email free of charge.

The business address is not a required address to register a limited company. The benefit of the Business Address Service is to provide a prestigious location and enhanced corporate image for your company. The forwarding of your general business correspondence is charged at the cost of the Royal Mail postage rates plus a 15% handling fee.

What is a SIC code and can I have more than one?

A SIC code or Standard Industrial Classification code is used to categorise a company’s business activity. To register a limited company or LLP you must choose at least one SIC code, although you can choose up to four. Do not worry if you do not know the SIC code relevant to your business activity, We provide a simple SIC code search tool where you can choose your SIC code or codes.

How do I obtain my free domain name?

As soon as your new company has been registered at Companies House, we will send you an order fulfilled email. Within this email you will receive a voucher code and instructions on how to set up your new domain using our website.

Do I need to provide ID?

All company formation agents have a legal obligation to check Proof of ID and Address; however, most customers do not need to do anything, as we carry out digital checks using the information supplied in your online company application form.

Those customers who require to provide ID can do so in a matter of minutes using their mobile phone and a simple App which we will provide. In most cases we supply the App free of charge; however, in some instances where checks are more expensive, we may ask you to pay £5.00 plus VAT to use the App.

If I change my mind and want to close down my company – is this difficult and costly?

It is a simple process to close a limited company. We offer a Company Dissolution Service at a cost of £149.95 + VAT. This cost includes the Companies House fee, filing the DS01 form and providing the Board Resolution to approve the dissolution of the company.

What package do I need?

The answer to this question depends on your requirements:

If you’re operating on a tight budget you may wish to choose the Basic Package.
Do you need high quality printed company documents? The Plus and Complete Packages will provide these.
Do you need privacy and do not want to display your home address on the public record? The Privacy and Complete Packages provide registered office and service addresses.
If you need VAT registration – you may wish to consider the Complete Package.
You may have a need for one of our specialist company formation packages, e.g. an LLP, or a limited by guarantee company for your charity business.

Why not give our friendly Customer Service Team a call, who will be happy to hear from you and discuss your new company requirements.
Can I buy the Basic Package and add services at a later date?

Yes, you can add additional services later from the Shop area in your Company Manager Portal; however, they will not be at the discounted prices of the packages.

Can I order my new company by telephone?

Yes absolutely. Please call our Customer Service Team at and one of company experts will process your company formation order with you by telephone.

What information do I need provide to form a company?

Forming a limited company is a simple online process; however, before starting the process you will need the following information to hand: the company name, registered office address, director details, shareholder details (can be the same person as the director), and how many shares you want to issue.

For further reading, please have a look at our resource page: Information Required to Register a Company, which provides a useful company formation checklist.

Can a non-resident form a UK company?

Yes, you do not need to live in the UK to form a UK limited company. If you are at least 16 years old and not disqualified, you can form a company regardless of nationality or location.

We provide a Non-Residents Package which is ideal for overseas customers who wish to form a UK limited company, as it provides the required address services and free international delivery of company documents. It also provides a Wise UK business bank account, which is the simplest and quickest banking solution for non-UK residents.

Can I get a business bank account for my new company?

Yes, we provide up to 8 business bank accounts for our UK customers to include in their company formation order, including Barclays, TSB, Cashplus, CardOne, ANNA, Revolut, Mettle, and Countingup.

We also offer a Wise business bank account for our non-UK resident customers to send, spend and receive multiple currencies with the real exchange rate. You will get a UK account number and sort code, Eurozone IBAN, and US account and routing number within minutes, regardless of where you are in the world.

The Wise account is included in our Non-Residents Package; however, it can also be added to your basket during the company order process with any other package. There is a fixed one-time onboarding fee of £16.00 (or equivalent in local currency).

How long does it take to form a new company?

It will take you no more than 5 to 10 minutes to complete the online company application form on our website. Companies House will then usually take 3 to 6 working hours to approve your new company registration. Please note this is subject to Companies House workload on the day and it can take up to 24 hours.

If it is very important your company is incorporated as soon as possible, we would recommend you add the Guaranteed Same-Day Service to your order.

How many shares do I need to issue?

You must issue at least one share to form a limited company. If there is more than one shareholder, you must issue at least one share per person. Most new companies issue up to 100 Ordinary shares of £1 each. Issuing 100 share at £1 means you have flexibility to issue shares to other shareholders in the future and your liability is limited to £100.

What is the difference between the address services included in the packages?

The registered office and service address are legally required to form a limited company or LLP, and both are displayed on the public record. The registered office is the official address of a company, and the service address is the official address of a company director, PSC, company secretary or LLP member.

We provide a Registered Office Service and a Service Address Service, as many customers prefer to keep their home address private. All official government mail is sent to these addresses and as part of our service we will forward this mail to you by scan and email free of charge.

The business address is not a required address to register a limited company. The benefit of the Business Address Service is to provide a prestigious location and enhanced corporate image for your company. The forwarding of your general business correspondence is charged at the cost of the Royal Mail postage rates plus a 15% handling fee.

What is a SIC code and can I have more than one?

A SIC code or Standard Industrial Classification code is used to categorise a company’s business activity. To register a limited company or LLP you must choose at least one SIC code, although you can choose up to four. Do not worry if you do not know the SIC code relevant to your business activity, We provide a simple SIC code search tool where you can choose your SIC code or codes.

How do I obtain my free domain name?

As soon as your new company has been registered at Companies House, we will send you an order fulfilled email. Within this email you will receive a voucher code and instructions on how to set up your new domain using our website.

Do I need to provide ID?

All company formation agents have a legal obligation to check Proof of ID and Address; however, most customers do not need to do anything, as we carry out digital checks using the information supplied in your online company application form.

Those customers who require to provide ID can do so in a matter of minutes using their mobile phone and a simple App which we will provide. In most cases we supply the App free of charge; however, in some instances where checks are more expensive, we may ask you to pay £5.00 plus VAT to use the App.

If I change my mind and want to close down my company – is this difficult and costly?

It is a simple process to close a limited company. We offer a Company Dissolution Service at a cost of £149.95 + VAT. This cost includes the Companies House fee, filing the DS01 form and providing the Board Resolution to approve the dissolution of the company.

What package do I need?

The answer to this question depends on your requirements:

If you’re operating on a tight budget you may wish to choose the Basic Package.
Do you need high quality printed company documents? The Plus and Complete Packages will provide these.
Do you need privacy and do not want to display your home address on the public record? The Privacy and Complete Packages provide registered office and service addresses.
If you need VAT registration – you may wish to consider the Complete Package.
You may have a need for one of our specialist company formation packages, e.g. an LLP, or a limited by guarantee company for your charity business.

Why not give our friendly Customer Service Team a call, who will be happy to hear from you and discuss your new company requirements.
Can I buy the Basic Package and add services at a later date?

Yes, you can add additional services later from the Shop area in your Company Manager Portal; however, they will not be at the discounted prices of the packages.

Can I order my new company by telephone?

Yes absolutely. Please call our Customer Service Team at and one of company experts will process your company formation order with you by telephone.

What information do I need provide to form a company?

Forming a limited company is a simple online process; however, before starting the process you will need the following information to hand: the company name, registered office address, director details, shareholder details (can be the same person as the director), and how many shares you want to issue.

For further reading, please have a look at our resource page: Information Required to Register a Company, which provides a useful company formation checklist.

Can a non-resident form a UK company?

Yes, you do not need to live in the UK to form a UK limited company. If you are at least 16 years old and not disqualified, you can form a company regardless of nationality or location.

We provide a Non-Residents Package which is ideal for overseas customers who wish to form a UK limited company, as it provides the required address services and free international delivery of company documents. It also provides a Wise UK business bank account, which is the simplest and quickest banking solution for non-UK residents.

Can I get a business bank account for my new company?

Yes, we provide up to 8 business bank accounts for our UK customers to include in their company formation order, including Barclays, TSB, Cashplus, CardOne, ANNA, Revolut, Mettle, and Countingup.

We also offer a Wise business bank account for our non-UK resident customers to send, spend and receive multiple currencies with the real exchange rate. You will get a UK account number and sort code, Eurozone IBAN, and US account and routing number within minutes, regardless of where you are in the world.

The Wise account is included in our Non-Residents Package; however, it can also be added to your basket during the company order process with any other package. There is a fixed one-time onboarding fee of £16.00 (or equivalent in local currency).

How long does it take to form a new company?

It will take you no more than 5 to 10 minutes to complete the online company application form on our website. Companies House will then usually take 3 to 6 working hours to approve your new company registration. Please note this is subject to Companies House workload on the day and it can take up to 24 hours.

If it is very important your company is incorporated as soon as possible, we would recommend you add the Guaranteed Same-Day Service to your order.

How many shares do I need to issue?

You must issue at least one share to form a limited company. If there is more than one shareholder, you must issue at least one share per person. Most new companies issue up to 100 Ordinary shares of £1 each. Issuing 100 share at £1 means you have flexibility to issue shares to other shareholders in the future and your liability is limited to £100.

What is the difference between the address services included in the packages?

The registered office and service address are legally required to form a limited company or LLP, and both are displayed on the public record. The registered office is the official address of a company, and the service address is the official address of a company director, PSC, company secretary or LLP member.

We provide a Registered Office Service and a Service Address Service, as many customers prefer to keep their home address private. All official government mail is sent to these addresses and as part of our service we will forward this mail to you by scan and email free of charge.

The business address is not a required address to register a limited company. The benefit of the Business Address Service is to provide a prestigious location and enhanced corporate image for your company. The forwarding of your general business correspondence is charged at the cost of the Royal Mail postage rates plus a 15% handling fee.

What is a SIC code and can I have more than one?

A SIC code or Standard Industrial Classification code is used to categorise a company’s business activity. To register a limited company or LLP you must choose at least one SIC code, although you can choose up to four. Do not worry if you do not know the SIC code relevant to your business activity, We provide a simple SIC code search tool where you can choose your SIC code or codes.

How do I obtain my free domain name?

As soon as your new company has been registered at Companies House, we will send you an order fulfilled email. Within this email you will receive a voucher code and instructions on how to set up your new domain using our website.

Do I need to provide ID?

All company formation agents have a legal obligation to check Proof of ID and Address; however, most customers do not need to do anything, as we carry out digital checks using the information supplied in your online company application form.

Those customers who require to provide ID can do so in a matter of minutes using their mobile phone and a simple App which we will provide. In most cases we supply the App free of charge; however, in some instances where checks are more expensive, we may ask you to pay £5.00 plus VAT to use the App.

If I change my mind and want to close down my company – is this difficult and costly?

It is a simple process to close a limited company. We offer a Company Dissolution Service at a cost of £149.95 + VAT. This cost includes the Companies House fee, filing the DS01 form and providing the Board Resolution to approve the dissolution of the company.

What package do I need?

The answer to this question depends on your requirements:

If you’re operating on a tight budget you may wish to choose the Basic Package.
Do you need high quality printed company documents? The Plus and Complete Packages will provide these.
Do you need privacy and do not want to display your home address on the public record? The Privacy and Complete Packages provide registered office and service addresses.
If you need VAT registration – you may wish to consider the Complete Package.
You may have a need for one of our specialist company formation packages, e.g. an LLP, or a limited by guarantee company for your charity business.

Why not give our friendly Customer Service Team a call, who will be happy to hear from you and discuss your new company requirements.
Can I buy the Basic Package and add services at a later date?

Yes, you can add additional services later from the Shop area in your Company Manager Portal; however, they will not be at the discounted prices of the packages.

Can I order my new company by telephone?

Yes absolutely. Please call our Customer Service Team at and one of company experts will process your company formation order with you by telephone.

What information do I need provide to form a company?

Forming a limited company is a simple online process; however, before starting the process you will need the following information to hand: the company name, registered office address, director details, shareholder details (can be the same person as the director), and how many shares you want to issue.

For further reading, please have a look at our resource page: Information Required to Register a Company, which provides a useful company formation checklist.

Can a non-resident form a UK company?

Yes, you do not need to live in the UK to form a UK limited company. If you are at least 16 years old and not disqualified, you can form a company regardless of nationality or location.

We provide a Non-Residents Package which is ideal for overseas customers who wish to form a UK limited company, as it provides the required address services and free international delivery of company documents. It also provides a Wise UK business bank account, which is the simplest and quickest banking solution for non-UK residents.

Can I get a business bank account for my new company?

Yes, we provide up to 8 business bank accounts for our UK customers to include in their company formation order, including Barclays, TSB, Cashplus, CardOne, ANNA, Revolut, Mettle, and Countingup.

We also offer a Wise business bank account for our non-UK resident customers to send, spend and receive multiple currencies with the real exchange rate. You will get a UK account number and sort code, Eurozone IBAN, and US account and routing number within minutes, regardless of where you are in the world.

The Wise account is included in our Non-Residents Package; however, it can also be added to your basket during the company order process with any other package. There is a fixed one-time onboarding fee of £16.00 (or equivalent in local currency).

How long does it take to form a new company?

It will take you no more than 5 to 10 minutes to complete the online company application form on our website. Companies House will then usually take 3 to 6 working hours to approve your new company registration. Please note this is subject to Companies House workload on the day and it can take up to 24 hours.

If it is very important your company is incorporated as soon as possible, we would recommend you add the Guaranteed Same-Day Service to your order.

How many shares do I need to issue?

You must issue at least one share to form a limited company. If there is more than one shareholder, you must issue at least one share per person. Most new companies issue up to 100 Ordinary shares of £1 each. Issuing 100 share at £1 means you have flexibility to issue shares to other shareholders in the future and your liability is limited to £100.

What is the difference between the address services included in the packages?

The registered office and service address are legally required to form a limited company or LLP, and both are displayed on the public record. The registered office is the official address of a company, and the service address is the official address of a company director, PSC, company secretary or LLP member.

We provide a Registered Office Service and a Service Address Service, as many customers prefer to keep their home address private. All official government mail is sent to these addresses and as part of our service we will forward this mail to you by scan and email free of charge.

The business address is not a required address to register a limited company. The benefit of the Business Address Service is to provide a prestigious location and enhanced corporate image for your company. The forwarding of your general business correspondence is charged at the cost of the Royal Mail postage rates plus a 15% handling fee.

What is a SIC code and can I have more than one?

A SIC code or Standard Industrial Classification code is used to categorise a company’s business activity. To register a limited company or LLP you must choose at least one SIC code, although you can choose up to four. Do not worry if you do not know the SIC code relevant to your business activity, We provide a simple SIC code search tool where you can choose your SIC code or codes.

How do I obtain my free domain name?

As soon as your new company has been registered at Companies House, we will send you an order fulfilled email. Within this email you will receive a voucher code and instructions on how to set up your new domain using our website.

Do I need to provide ID?

All company formation agents have a legal obligation to check Proof of ID and Address; however, most customers do not need to do anything, as we carry out digital checks using the information supplied in your online company application form.

Those customers who require to provide ID can do so in a matter of minutes using their mobile phone and a simple App which we will provide. In most cases we supply the App free of charge; however, in some instances where checks are more expensive, we may ask you to pay £5.00 plus VAT to use the App.

If I change my mind and want to close down my company – is this difficult and costly?

It is a simple process to close a limited company. We offer a Company Dissolution Service at a cost of £149.95 + VAT. This cost includes the Companies House fee, filing the DS01 form and providing the Board Resolution to approve the dissolution of the company.

What package do I need?

The answer to this question depends on your requirements:

If you’re operating on a tight budget you may wish to choose the Basic Package.
Do you need high quality printed company documents? The Plus and Complete Packages will provide these.
Do you need privacy and do not want to display your home address on the public record? The Privacy and Complete Packages provide registered office and service addresses.
If you need VAT registration – you may wish to consider the Complete Package.
You may have a need for one of our specialist company formation packages, e.g. an LLP, or a limited by guarantee company for your charity business.

Why not give our friendly Customer Service Team a call, who will be happy to hear from you and discuss your new company requirements.
Can I buy the Basic Package and add services at a later date?

Yes, you can add additional services later from the Shop area in your Company Manager Portal; however, they will not be at the discounted prices of the packages.

Can I order my new company by telephone?

Yes absolutely. Please call our Customer Service Team at and one of company experts will process your company formation order with you by telephone.

What information do I need provide to form a company?

Forming a limited company is a simple online process; however, before starting the process you will need the following information to hand: the company name, registered office address, director details, shareholder details (can be the same person as the director), and how many shares you want to issue.

For further reading, please have a look at our resource page: Information Required to Register a Company, which provides a useful company formation checklist.

Can a non-resident form a UK company?

Yes, you do not need to live in the UK to form a UK limited company. If you are at least 16 years old and not disqualified, you can form a company regardless of nationality or location.

We provide a Non-Residents Package which is ideal for overseas customers who wish to form a UK limited company, as it provides the required address services and free international delivery of company documents. It also provides a Wise UK business bank account, which is the simplest and quickest banking solution for non-UK residents.

Can I get a business bank account for my new company?

Yes, we provide up to 8 business bank accounts for our UK customers to include in their company formation order, including Barclays, TSB, Cashplus, CardOne, ANNA, Revolut, Mettle, and Countingup.

We also offer a Wise business bank account for our non-UK resident customers to send, spend and receive multiple currencies with the real exchange rate. You will get a UK account number and sort code, Eurozone IBAN, and US account and routing number within minutes, regardless of where you are in the world.

The Wise account is included in our Non-Residents Package; however, it can also be added to your basket during the company order process with any other package. There is a fixed one-time onboarding fee of £16.00 (or equivalent in local currency).

How long does it take to form a new company?

It will take you no more than 5 to 10 minutes to complete the online company application form on our website. Companies House will then usually take 3 to 6 working hours to approve your new company registration. Please note this is subject to Companies House workload on the day and it can take up to 24 hours.

If it is very important your company is incorporated as soon as possible, we would recommend you add the Guaranteed Same-Day Service to your order.

How many shares do I need to issue?

You must issue at least one share to form a limited company. If there is more than one shareholder, you must issue at least one share per person. Most new companies issue up to 100 Ordinary shares of £1 each. Issuing 100 share at £1 means you have flexibility to issue shares to other shareholders in the future and your liability is limited to £100.

What is the difference between the address services included in the packages?

The registered office and service address are legally required to form a limited company or LLP, and both are displayed on the public record. The registered office is the official address of a company, and the service address is the official address of a company director, PSC, company secretary or LLP member.

We provide a Registered Office Service and a Service Address Service, as many customers prefer to keep their home address private. All official government mail is sent to these addresses and as part of our service we will forward this mail to you by scan and email free of charge.

The business address is not a required address to register a limited company. The benefit of the Business Address Service is to provide a prestigious location and enhanced corporate image for your company. The forwarding of your general business correspondence is charged at the cost of the Royal Mail postage rates plus a 15% handling fee.

What is a SIC code and can I have more than one?

A SIC code or Standard Industrial Classification code is used to categorise a company’s business activity. To register a limited company or LLP you must choose at least one SIC code, although you can choose up to four. Do not worry if you do not know the SIC code relevant to your business activity, We provide a simple SIC code search tool where you can choose your SIC code or codes.

How do I obtain my free domain name?

As soon as your new company has been registered at Companies House, we will send you an order fulfilled email. Within this email you will receive a voucher code and instructions on how to set up your new domain using our website.

Do I need to provide ID?

All company formation agents have a legal obligation to check Proof of ID and Address; however, most customers do not need to do anything, as we carry out digital checks using the information supplied in your online company application form.

Those customers who require to provide ID can do so in a matter of minutes using their mobile phone and a simple App which we will provide. In most cases we supply the App free of charge; however, in some instances where checks are more expensive, we may ask you to pay £5.00 plus VAT to use the App.

If I change my mind and want to close down my company – is this difficult and costly?

It is a simple process to close a limited company. We offer a Company Dissolution Service at a cost of £149.95 + VAT. This cost includes the Companies House fee, filing the DS01 form and providing the Board Resolution to approve the dissolution of the company.

Company Services

Category: Company Services

What is meant by apostilling a document?

Apostilling means to legalise a document by having an Apostille Certificate attached to it.

Is the Apostille Certificate recognized everywhere?

No. It is only recognized in the 115 countries who are member of the 1961 Hague Convention.

Must apostilled documents also be notarised?

Yes. A notary Public must verify the documents before they are sent to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office for apostilling.

Why would you want to apostille documents?

Limited companies are often required to have their company documents apostilled by overseas authorities, non-UK registrars and banks, before they will recognise them as being legal.
What documents are most commonly required to be apostilled?

The Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum and Articles of Association, Certificate of Good Standing and Certificate of Name Change.

What information is stated on the Certificate?

An Apostille Certificate is a document that displays the following details:

Country of origin of the legalised document.
Location and date of legalization.
Name of official signatory, i.e. the Notary Public.
Certificate number.
Official seal and signature of the FCDO.

How long does the apostille process take?

The entire legalisation process takes approximately 14 days to complete.

Category: Company Services

Why would I need a Certificate of Good Standing?

Most companies request a certificate when they are planning to do business overseas or are seeking a loan or investment. The possession of the certificate reassures third parties that a company and its officers are reliable and adhering to their legal obligations.

How long is it valid for?

Your certificate will be valid for 3 months from the day of issue, after which time a more up-to-date certificate will be required.

What does the Certificate show?

The following company information will be shown on the Certificate of Good Standing:

Registered company name in full.
Company registration number.
Incorporation date.
Confirmation that the company has been in continuous and unbroken existence since incorporation.
Authorising signature of the issuing registrar.

You may also request the inclusion of additional information, including:

Registered office address.
Directors’ details.
Secretary’s details.

Category: Company Services

How long will it take to change my company name?

It usually takes around 3-4 working days in total to change a company name on the Companies House register. We will send you digital documents to sign within 1-2 working days, by email. Once you have confirmed to us that the documents have been signed, it will take 1-2 working days for your company name to change with Companies House. We will then send your documentation to you by email on the same day the company name is changed.

Will my company registration number change if I change my company name?

No. This will remain the same.

How do I correct a spelling mistake in my company name?

If you simply made a spelling mistake when you registered your company name, you will be required to process a change of company name order to correct the mistake.

Can I change the ‘Limited’ part of my company name to ‘plc’ using the name change service?

No. This change requires you to re-register your private limited company to a plc using form RR01. For further reading click here.

I want to use a sensitive word in my new company name, what do I need to provide?

You will need to provide supporting evidence or a letter of non-objection from the relevant authority to support your application. Please forward this documentation to us by email at your earliest convenience.

When a sensitive word is included in the new company name, we will be required to order your company name change by post, and the whole process will take between 5 to 10 working days.

Will I receive a new certificate of incorporation and company documents?

No. Your original certificate of incorporation will remain intact and will be supplemented with a certificate of company name change. The memorandum will not change, as this lists the subscribers to the company on the day it was formed.

In many respects, the memorandum becomes a document of historical significance, through the passage of time.

Category: Company Services

What is a confirmation statement?

The confirmation statement is a Companies House filing requirement for all limited companies and LLPs. It replaced the annual return on 30 June 2016, and essentially has the exact same purpose – it verifies that all company information is accurate and up to date.

How often do I need to file a confirmation statement?

A confirmation statement must be filed at Companies House at least once every 12 months. This service is renewable annually, ensuring you do not miss a filing date in the future.

When is the confirmation statement due?

A confirmation statement is due 14 days after the anniversary of the date of incorporation or the date you filed the last confirmation statement.

When will my confirmation statement be filed?

There are two ordering options available for our Confirmation Statement Service – Standard or Express. If you order your confirmation statement using the Standard service, it will be filed within 3 working days of receiving the required information.

If you need your confirmation statement filed in a hurry, you can purchase the Express service and it will be filed within 24 hours (1 working day) of receiving the information we require.

What information can be updated using a confirmation statement?

A confirmation statement can be used to update the following information at Companies House:

SIC codes (principal business activities)
Shareholder changes that have occurred since the last confirmation statement
Changes to the statement of capital, since the filing of the last confirmation statement

Note: Changes to the registered office address, PSCs and company officers cannot be notified via a confirmation statement and instead must be reported using the relevant forms. Our team of company experts will be more than happy to file these changes at an additional charge.

What information does we need, to file your confirmation statement?

If you are an existing customer and formed your company using Us, we will not require you to provide any information. We will send you a current company summary, which you should confirm as being correct or notify us of any changes.

If you are a new customer, you will need to create an account on our website and import your company. Don’t worry, this is a simple process and we will provide easy to follow instructions.

Category: Company Services

How many directors does a limited company require?

Every limited company must have at least one director. If a limited company has only one director, that director must be a natural person.

Are directors also shareholders?

Directors do not have to be shareholders. Their role is to run the company, so there is no requirement to also be an owner if they do not wish to be; however, if existing shareholders do want to offer shares to the directors, this is perfectly acceptable and fairly common.

What is a company director’s role?

Directors are appointed by the owners of a company (shareholders or guarantors) to ‘direct’ the day-to-day activities of the company on their behalf. They are responsible for ensuring the smooth running and management of a company, by adhering to all legal and contractual requirements, and making the company successful and profitable.

When will my documents will be ready?

Documents will be sent to you by email in 2-3 working days, once all required information is provided.
What information do I need to provide to appoint a new director?

Full Name
Date of Birth (Minimum 16 years of age)
Occupation
Nationality
Residential Address
Service Address (residential or other address)
Appointment Date

Who appoints a company director?

Limited company members can appoint or resign a director whilst setting up a limited company – or any time thereafter.

Category: Company Services

What is a dormant company?

A dormant company is a new company that has not started trading, or a company that has not traded within the current financial year, i.e. it has had ‘no significant accounting transactions’ during the financial year.

What is classified as a significant accounting transaction?

If a company has had no significant accounting transactions in the financial year, it can be classified as dormant; however, if it has settled an invoice, paid bank charges, bank interest, paid employees, or paid dividends to shareholders, it will lose its dormant status, as these are all examples of significant accounting transactions.

Exclusions to the rule are: payment for shares issued at the time of incorporation, late filing penalties, and filing fees paid to Companies House.

What are dormant company accounts?

Companies with dormant company status only need to file a simplified form of accounts with Companies House. These simplified accounts are known as dormant company accounts, and they represent a considerable benefit, as they reduce the statutory burden of filing profit and loss accounts and a director’s report.

How often do I need to file accounts?

Accounts must be filed at Companies House at least once every 12 months.

This service is renewable annually, at a cost of £119.95 plus VAT, ensuring you do not miss a filing date in the future.

What information is required to file dormant company accounts?

If you formed your company using our website, then we will only need to know your company name and number, and if your shares are paid or unpaid, i.e. have the shareholders paid the company for the shares issued to them?

If you did not form your company using our website, we will require your company name and number, webfiling authentication code, shares paid or unpaid, and the name of one director.
How long does it take?

It takes 24 hours (1 working day) to prepare and file dormant company accounts with Companies House (subject to having the webfiling authentication code and other required information). We recommend you order the service at least 3 working days prior to the due date.

Please note: We cannot take responsibility for any late filing penalties or fines if your order was not submitted at least 3 working days prior to the due date.

Who can use this service?

This service is not available to Limited Liability Partnerships.

Category: Company Services

How long does it take to set up this service?

It usually takes 3 to 5 days to complete the initial set up of the service, which includes appointing your new company secretary, and preparing the first set of statutory registers.

I formed my company with another agent – can I still use this service?

Yes. You do not need to have formed your company through Ours to purchase this service.

When can I contact my account manager?

Your appointed account manager will be available to take your queries, by phone or by email, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm (excluding public holidays).

How often do you provide my company registers?

In our experience, our customers do not want the administrative burden of keeping a copy of their statutory company registers; therefore we will store your registers for you at our offices. Your registers are available on request.

Do you provide any other registers in addition to the five statutory registers?

Where possible, we can also provide a register of transfers, register of allotments, and register of director’s usual residential addresses, on request.

Can I use my three company changes on a different company?

As part of this service we will carry out up to three company secretarial changes to your company per year. This only applies to the company that the Full Company Secretary Service has been purchased for.

Can I use this service for a Limited Liability Partnership?

Unfortunately, this service is not available for Limited Liability Partnerships.
I have some filings that need to be made with Companies House.

Will you submit them for me?

Yes. If you have already prepared supporting documentation for a company change that is within the scope of this service, and you would like us to make the filing at Companies House, this will count as one of your three annual company changes.

Do you provide any other company change services in addition to those listed?

Yes. We offer a comprehensive range of company secretarial services, including the creation of multiple share classes, subdivision of shares, reduction of share capital, and more. Additional fees apply to this work, which will be confirmed with you before the work is undertaken.

How do you file my Confirmation Statement?

We will contact you 30 days prior to the filing date and ask you to confirm a summary detailing the required information regarding the current status of your company. We will then prepare and file your Confirmation Statement. The Companies House filing fee is included within the price of this service.

Will you sign any documentation on behalf of my company?

No. We do not sign any documentation on behalf of a company.

Are there any compliance requirements?

We will carry out identity verification checks on all beneficial owners and directors associated with the company.

Category: Company Services

When will my documents will be ready?

Documents will be sent to you by email within 2-3 working days, after all required information is provided.

Can I order this service if I did not form my company with Us?

Yes. We offer this service to all customers, regardless of whether they have incorporated a company with us.

What information do I need to provide about a new shareholder?

Full Name
Contact Address (This address will be displayed on the share certificate)
The number of shares being transferred/issued

What class of shares can be issued?

Only Ordinary shares can be issued. Creation of additional share classes or amendments to the article of association are not included in this service.

What is stamp duty?

Share Transfers in excess of £1,000 incur a tax or duty of 0.5% on the transaction, which will be rounded up to the nearest £5.00. If you buy shares using a stock transfer form, the form needs to be sent to HMRC for stamping, with stamp duty paid no later than 30 days after the date of the transfer.

Example – If you buy shares worth £1050, you’ll pay 0.5% on this amount, which is £5.25. Therefore the amount of £10 is payable in Stamp Duty.

What is a confirmation statement?

A confirmation statement (previously known as the annual return) is a report containing accurate and up-to-date information about a limited company on a certain date. The purpose of filing a confirmation statement (at least once every 12 months) is to confirm the limited company details, and report to Companies House any changes to shareholders’ details and/or issued share capital.

Why should I file a confirmation statement?

If you would like to see updated shareholders information on Companies House records, you should file a confirmation statement; otherwise new shareholders will not be visible until the next confirmation statement. Most banks will request that up-to-date shareholder information is recorded at Companies House.

Category: Company Services

Does my company have to register for VAT?

A limited company is required to register for VAT when its taxable turnover for the previous 12 months exceeds £85,000, or is expected to exceed this figure in the next 30 days.

Can my company voluntarily register for VAT?

Yes. As long as your company is not listed as dormant, it can voluntarily register for VAT. Most companies register for VAT voluntarily, as VAT-registered companies are perceived to be larger than ones who are not.

VAT-registered companies are also able to reclaim VAT paid on goods and services they buy, saving them money in tax payments.
How long will it take for my company to be registered for VAT?

It usually takes around 20 – 30 days for your company to be registered for VAT.

We will send your VAT Registration Number to you by email as soon as we receive it and HMRC will send your Certificate of VAT Registration by post shortly thereafter.
Do I need to provide any specific information to apply for VAT?

If you are a UK resident director, you will need to provide your National Insurance number. If you are non-UK resident director, you will need to provide one piece of photographic ID (either a passport or driving licence) and two pieces of secondary evidence from the following list:

Birth certificate
Marriage certificate
Utility bill dated within the last 3 months

Can I use your Covent Garden address for the principal place of business address?

Your principal place of business address is the address your company does the majority of its work from. It must be based in the UK and it cannot be listed our address, as your company will not carry out the majority of its work from our address.

How long does it take to get my EORI Number if I apply for it during my VAT registration application?

The EORI Number will be sent by email to you directly from HMRC, a few days after your VAT Registration Number has been sent to you. You should therefore receive your EORI Number about 35 days after you place your order.

I am a sole trader, can I use this service?

This service is only for use by limited companies registering for VAT.