How to Register a Limited Company in the UK

Registering a limited company in the UK is relatively straightforward, but there are a few decisions you need to get right before you file.

You'll need a company name, registered office address, director, shareholder and share structure. You'll also need to identify anyone with significant control, choose a SIC code and complete the required identity verification.

This guide takes you through the process from start to finish.

Before you start, you'll usually need:

• a company name

• at least one director

• at least one shareholder

• a registered office address

• a registered email address (which doesn't have to be one tied to your new company)

• your share structure

• details of any people with significant control (PSCs)

• a SIC code describing what the company does

• the required Companies House identity verification details

For a straightforward private company limited by shares, registration can usually be completed online. Companies House says online applications are normally processed within 24 hours.

Decide whether a limited company is the right structure

Before registering anything, make sure a limited company is actually the right structure for your business. A limited company is legally separate from the people who own it. The company can enter contracts, own assets, receive income and owe money in its own name. That's different from operating as a sole trader, where you and the business are legally the same person.

A limited company can make sense if you want limited liability, expect to bring in shareholders or investment, or simply want to build the business through a separate legal entity. But it also comes with additional reporting, accounting and administrative responsibilities.

Sole Trader vs Limited Company: Which is Right for You?

Choose your company name

Every limited company needs an official registered name. For most private limited companies, the name will end in “Limited” or “Ltd”.

Before settling on a name, check:

• whether another company has already registered the same name

• whether Companies House considers it too similar to another name

• whether it contains a sensitive word or expression requiring permission

• whether it could conflict with an existing trademark

• whether the corresponding domain and social handles are available

Registering a company name does not automatically give you trademark protection, so it is worth checking both Companies House and the UK Intellectual Property Office before building your brand around a name.

Is Your Company Name Available? How to Check Before You Register

Words you can't use in a company name (and why)

Choose your registered office address

Every UK company must have a registered office address. This is the company's official address for correspondence from Companies House, HMRC and other government bodies. The address must be an appropriate physical address in the same UK jurisdiction in which the company is registered. Most importantly for home-based founders, the registered office appears on the public Companies House register.

You can use your home address if it meets the requirements, but you do not have to. If you want to keep your home address off the public register, you can use an appropriate alternative such as a registered office service.

FOUNDRS offers a London registered office address, with company mail received and scanned digitally, so founders do not have to use their home address publicly.

Appoint your director or directors

A private limited company needs at least one director. Directors are legally responsible for running the company and making sure it meets its obligations. For a typical solo company, you can be both the sole director and sole shareholder.

You'll need to provide Companies House with information about each director when you register. Directors also need to meet Companies House identity verification requirements and may need their Companies House personal code as part of the registration process.

Decide your share structure

Next, decide how many shares the company will issue, their nominal value and who will own them.

For a simple founder-owned company, you may only need one class of ordinary shares. What matters is understanding the ownership and rights those shares create.

If you issue 100 ordinary shares and you own all 100, you own 100% of the issued shares. If two founders own 60 and 40 respectively, they own 60% and 40%.

More complicated arrangements (different share classes, investor rights, employee equity or bespoke voting rights) are worth taking professional advice on before incorporation. This isn't something that FOUNDRS offers right now.

Understanding Shareholders and Share Structure in a UK Limited Company

Identify your People with Significant Control

You also need to identify the people who ultimately own or control the company. Companies House calls these People with Significant Control, or PSCs.

A PSC can include someone who holds more than 25% of the company's shares or voting rights, can appoint or remove the majority of directors, or otherwise exercises significant influence or control.

For a straightforward one-person company, the sole shareholder/director will normally also be a PSC.

Choose your SIC code

A SIC code tells Companies House what kind of business activity your company carries out. SIC stands for Standard Industrial Classification.

You can select more than one code if the company carries out several activities, but choose the code or codes that most accurately describe what the company actually does.

Not sure which one applies? FOUNDRS SIC Code Finder helps you identify an appropriate code based on your business activity.

Prepare your company documents

Companies need documents governing how they are formed and run. These include the memorandum of association and articles of association.

The memorandum records the initial shareholders' agreement to form the company. The articles set out rules governing how the company operates.

Straightforward companies can normally use standard model articles. More complex ownership or investment arrangements may require bespoke articles and professional legal advice.

Your registration also includes a statement of capital setting out the company's shares and shareholders.

Verify your identity

Companies House has introduced mandatory identity verification as part of reforms intended to improve the accuracy of the companies register and reduce misuse of UK companies.

Directors and PSCs are among those affected. Once verified, you're given a personal code linked to you rather than to an individual company.

You can verify directly through GOV.UK or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider such as FOUNDRS where appropriate.

Register the company with Companies House

Once you've made those decisions, you're ready to incorporate. You can register directly with Companies House or use a company formation provider such as FOUNDRS.

As of September 2026, Companies House charges £100 for standard online incorporation and says online applications are usually processed within 24 hours.

Foundrs doesn't add a formation fee: you pay the £100 Companies House fee. The FOUNDRS incorporation agent guides you through the required information, checks key details and files the application with Companies House.

What happens after you register?

Once Companies House approves the application, your company legally exists and you'll receive a Certificate of Incorporation showing your registered company name, company registration number and incorporation date.

But incorporation isn't the end of the admin. You'll need to keep appropriate records, understand Corporation Tax and meet Companies House filing requirements such as annual accounts and confirmation statements.

FOUNDRS is designed to continue beyond incorporation: your company information and core documents can stay together, while reminders help you keep track of important company obligations rather than relying on memory.

How long does it take to register a limited company?

Companies House says online applications are usually registered within 24 hours. Applications requiring additional checks or corrections can take longer.

How much does it cost?

As of September 2026, the Companies House fee for standard online incorporation is £100. Formation providers may charge their own fee or package incorporation with additional services.

FOUNDRS does not charge an additional formation fee, so you pay the £100 Companies House fee.

Can I register a limited company myself?

Yes. You can register a straightforward company directly with Companies House.

The harder part is often making the decisions behind the application: the right name, registered address, ownership, share structure and SIC code, and understanding what happens afterwards. A guided formation service can help with that process.

Can I use my home address?

You can use an appropriate home address as your registered office if it meets Companies House requirements. However, your registered office is published on the public register.

If you don't want your home address publicly visible, arrange an alternative registered office before incorporation.

Do I need an accountant to register a company?

No. There's no general requirement to use an accountant simply to incorporate a straightforward limited company. Professional advice can be valuable where your tax position, ownership structure, investment plans or share arrangements are more complicated.

When Do Founders Need an Accountant?