Register a Limited Company UK - 6 Simple Steps

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How to register a limited company in UK

To register a limited company in UK, you need to register it with Companies House. Once successfully registered, you’ll be receiving a ‘certificate of incorporation’ along with the company number and formation date of your legally established company.

Before we elaborate on the registration process, here are a few essential things you’ll be requiring:

Father’s first name
Mother’s maiden name
Place of birth
Phone number
NIC (National Insurance Number)
Passport number

Moreover for registering your company, a Government Gateway user id and password is required to be created. And post 3 months of your business execution, you need to register for Corporation Tax too.

Ways of registering your company

Through post (using Form IN01)
With the help of an agent (using a company formation agent and company secretarial agent)
Using third party software

Either get a software package from Companies House approved provider or request a copy of the companies House Technical specifications by emailing: [email protected]

Note: In case you don’t want a ‘limited’ company then you need to register via post.

As of now let’s explore how to register a limited company online step by step

Register a Limited Company – Identify the category

You must be clear as to what type of business set you require depending upon the nature of your work. Determine and choose the right one

social enterprise
sole trader
business partnership
overseas company
unincorporated association

Build a name for your company

This is an essential step, as your business will be known all over through the company name. Few things you must keep in mind

No two registered companies can have a similar name
Pick a name and register a business name
Your company name must not be ‘too like’ some other company name. For example, colors and clothing for you ltd are the same as clothing n colors 4U ltd.
In the case to register a limited company, the company name must end with either limited or ltd.
Check if there exists a similar trademark as your brand

Decide upon Directors

Your limited company must have at least one appointed director (16 or above) who’ll be responsible for the company’s accounting records, withdrawing money from the ltd company, annual return, stationary and promotional materials, and signing. Moreover, he/she can’t be disqualified from being a director.

Identify Shareholders or Guarantors

Usually, the limited companies are owned by a few shareholders that possess specific rights. There should be at least one shareholder or guarantor for your limited company, which can be a director. On the other hand, there are companies that have guarantors and a guaranteed amount rather than shareholders. On registering your company, you’ll be required to present shared information or a‘ statement of capital’.

Prepare essential documents

This step includes creating the following documents:

Memorandum of association

This is a legal statement depicting an agreement to form the company which is signed by shareholders or guarantors. For those doing online registration, a memorandum of association is being created automatically. Those registering by post can utilize the memorandum of association template

Articles of association

This covers rules elaborating the running of the company as agreed by guarantors, shareholders, and company directors. You can either write your own articles or use standard model articles

Register a limited company in UK

At last, you need to provide an official address to register a limited company. Also, select a SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) code for informing Companies House about your company’s nature of business.