- You can register a UK limited company online with Companies House for £100, with most applications approved within 24 hours.
- You will need a company name, UK registered office address, at least one director, shareholder details, a share structure and at least one SIC code before applying.
- Identity verification through GOV.UK One Login is now mandatory for every director and person with significant control before incorporation can complete.
To register a company in the UK, you submit an incorporation application to Companies House online for £100, with most approvals confirmed within 24 hours. The process became more rigorous on 1 February 2026 after the digital fee doubled and identity verification became compulsory for directors and people with significant control.
Most founders set up a private company limited by shares, which is the standard structure for commercial businesses. Before you apply, you need a company name, a UK registered office address, director and shareholder details, a share structure and at least one SIC code. The fastest route for most people is to use a company formation service or file directly through Companies House.
How to register a company in the UK in 8 steps
Registering a UK limited company follows a standard sequence. Get any one of these wrong and your application is rejected or delayed, so work through them in order.
- Verify your identity through GOV.UK One Login
- Choose your company structure
- Select and check your company name
- Designate a UK registered office address
- Appoint directors and identify people with significant control
- Decide on shares and shareholders
- Choose at least one SIC code
- Submit your application to Companies House and pay £100
Each step has its own requirements. The next sections break down what matters most for accuracy and speed.
How much does it cost to register a company in the UK?
Registering a UK company online costs £100, paid directly to Companies House when you submit your application. The fee doubled from £50 on 1 February 2026 as part of wider Companies House reforms.
The route you choose affects both cost and speed:
Registration method | Fee | Processing time |
Online (standard) | £100 | Usually 24 hours |
Online (same-day) | £156 | Same working day |
Paper application (form IN01) | £124 | 8 to 10 working days |
Formation service | Provider fee plus £100 | Usually 24 hours |
A formation service adds a margin on top of the Companies House fee. In exchange you get help with documents, registered office services, bank account introductions and ongoing compliance, which is often worth more than the saving from filing yourself.
How long does company registration take?
Online applications submitted with accurate information are usually approved within 24 hours. Paper applications take 8 to 10 working days. Same-day online incorporation is available for £156 if you file before 3pm on a working day.
Delays almost always come from one of these issues:
- A company name too similar to an existing registered name
- Missing or inconsistent director or shareholder information
- A registered office address that does not meet UK jurisdiction rules
- Incomplete information for people with significant control
- Identity verification not yet completed for all directors and PSCs
If any of these apply, Companies House will reject the application and you will need to resubmit, which restarts the 24-hour clock.
What information do you need to register a company?
Companies House asks for a specific set of details for every standard private limited company application. Gather everything before you start, because a half-completed application increases the chance of rejection.
You will need:
- Your proposed company name
- A UK registered office address in the correct jurisdiction
- Full name, date of birth, occupation, residential address and service address for each director
- Full name and address for each shareholder
- Details of every person with significant control, usually anyone holding more than 25% of shares or voting rights
- Your share structure, including share class, quantity and value
- At least one SIC code that describes your business activity
- Companies House personal codes for each director and PSC, issued after identity verification
If you are unsure which SIC code applies, this SIC code UK guide walks through the most common categories for new companies.
How do you verify your identity for Companies House?
Identity verification through GOV.UK One Login became mandatory for all new directors and people with significant control in 2025. You complete it once and receive a Companies House personal code, which is then used for every future filing.
The verification process is straightforward:
- Create or sign in to your GOV.UK One Login account
- Provide a valid passport, UK driving licence or biometric residence permit
- Complete a facial recognition check on the GOV.UK ID Check app
- Receive your personal code by email
Every director and PSC on the incorporation application needs their own personal code. If even one person has not verified, the application will not complete. More detail on the process is available in this Companies House identity verification guide.
How do you choose a company name?
Your company name must be unique on the Companies House register, must end in “Limited” or “Ltd” for a private limited company and cannot contain restricted or sensitive words without permission. Check availability on the Companies House name availability checker before you apply.
Names that get rejected most often:
- Too similar to an existing registered company
- Contain sensitive words such as “Bank”, “Royal”, “British” or “Group” without approval
- Include offensive language or misleading terms
- Suggest a connection to government or local authorities
Run your shortlist of names through the Intellectual Property Office trade mark search as well. A name can be available at Companies House but blocked by an existing trade mark, which causes problems later.
How do you set up your registered office address?
Every UK company needs an official registered office address located in the same jurisdiction as the company. England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are separate jurisdictions, so a Scottish company cannot use a London address.
The registered office is published on the public register, which is why many founders avoid using a home address. Your options include:
- Your home address, with privacy risks attached
- A business premises, if you have one
- A registered office service provided by an agent or accountant
- A virtual office address from a commercial provider
A dedicated registered office address service keeps your personal address off the public record and ensures statutory mail is forwarded correctly.
What share structure should you choose?
The standard setup for new limited companies is 100 ordinary shares at £1 each, all held by one shareholder. This is simple, cheap and works for most founders, but it is not always the right answer.
Consider a different structure if you plan to:
- Bring in co-founders with different equity percentages
- Raise investment through SEIS or EIS
- Issue shares to employees through an option scheme
- Split dividends across family members for tax planning
- Apply for SEIS/EIS advance assurance before raising
Once shares are issued, redesignating them later involves filings, board resolutions and sometimes legal advice. Getting the structure right at incorporation saves both time and money.
Can a non-resident register a UK company?
A non-resident can register a UK company, and there is no requirement to be a UK citizen, hold a UK visa or appoint a UK-resident director. You do need a UK registered office address and every director and PSC must complete identity verification through GOV.UK One Login.
The most common setup for overseas founders is:
- A registered office address provided by a UK-based agent
- A service address for each non-resident director
- Identity verification completed remotely using the GOV.UK ID Check app
- A UK business bank account opened after incorporation, which often requires additional documentation
Many overseas founders use a formation service because the combination of UK address, document handling and bank introductions is difficult to assemble independently.
Should you register directly or use a formation service?
Both routes get you to the same end result, but they suit different situations.
Filing directly with Companies House works if:
- Your structure is simple, with one director and one shareholder
- You already have a suitable UK registered office address
- You are confident with the legal terminology around shares and PSCs
- You do not need help with post-incorporation tasks
A formation service works better if:
- You want your registered office and service address managed
- You are a non-resident or first-time founder
- You want help with the bank account, VAT or PAYE setup
- You need the structure right from day one for investment or growth
What happens after your company is registered?
Once Companies House approves your application, the registration is complete and you receive a certificate of incorporation showing your company number and date of formation. The compliance obligations then start immediately.
In the first few weeks you will usually need to:
- Save your certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association
- Open a business bank account using your company registration number
- Register for Corporation Tax with HMRC within three months of starting to trade
- Register for VAT if your taxable turnover will exceed £90,000
- Register for PAYE if you plan to take a salary or employ staff
- Set up statutory company registers
- Note your accounting reference date and confirmation statement filing date
Miss any of these deadlines and HMRC or Companies House can issue penalties, so getting an accountant involved early often saves more than it costs.
How Sleek helps with UK company registration
Sleek registers UK companies with a structure that works from day one, not just a form submitted to Companies House. That means your share structure, registered office, SIC codes and identity verification are handled together, with no gaps that cause rejected applications or post-incorporation headaches.
If you want a simple start, the Essential Company Formation Package covers the core registration. If you want incorporation, accounting, tax and compliance handled in one place, the Full Compliance Package is designed for founders who want to focus on the business rather than the admin.
Disclaimer: The preceding information is not legal advice. This content is aimed to provide general guidance. For more formal or legal advice, contact Sleek directly.
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FAQs on how to register a company in the UK
What are the different types of companies in the UK?
The most common is a private company limited by shares, used by most commercial businesses. Other options include companies limited by guarantee for non-profits, limited liability partnerships for professional services and public limited companies for businesses planning to list. Each has different rules on ownership, liability and reporting, so pick the structure that matches your funding and growth plans.
Do I need to register a company in the UK to start a business?
No, you can operate as a sole trader without registering with Companies House. A limited company creates a separate legal entity, limits personal liability and can be more tax efficient above a certain profit level. The right choice depends on income, risk exposure and whether you plan to raise investment or take on partners.
Can a non-resident register a company in the UK?
Yes, non-residents can register a UK company without living in the UK or appointing a UK director. You need a UK registered office address and every director and PSC must complete identity verification through GOV.UK One Login. Many overseas founders use a formation agent to handle the address, documents and identity checks remotely.
What documents are required to register a UK company?
No formal documents are uploaded during standard online registration. You enter structured information about directors, shareholders, PSCs, shares and SIC codes, and Companies House generates the memorandum and articles of association as part of the process. The certificate of incorporation is then issued once your application is approved.
What is Companies House and what does it do?
Companies House is the UK government body responsible for incorporating and dissolving limited companies. It maintains the official public register, processes confirmation statements and annual accounts, and runs identity verification under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. All UK limited companies and LLPs must file with Companies House at least once a year.
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Can I register a UK company online?
Yes, online registration is the standard route and accounts for almost all new incorporations. The fee is £100 and most applications are approved within 24 hours when the information is accurate. A same-day option is available for £156 if filed before 3pm. Paper applications using form IN01 cost £124 and take 8 to 10 working days.
Can I register a company in the UK without a UK address?
No, every UK limited company must have a registered office address located in the UK and in the same jurisdiction the company is registered in. If you do not have a suitable address, a registered office service from a formation agent or accountant meets this requirement and keeps your home address off the public register.
