Information & Guidance

Companies are most commonly incorporated online through the website of a formation agent. Companies House does not currently provide an online incorporation service on this website. Companies can be incorporated directly with Companies House using a paper form.

To incorporate a private limited company by shares or by guarantee, or a public limited company, you will need to send the following documents to Companies House:

1) Form IN01 Application to register a company contains

the company name - IMPORTANT check name availability
the location of the registered office address, (either England & Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales)
the consenting company secretary (if applicable) and director(s)
the subscriber details
the share capital details and the prescribed particulars relating to each class of shares (only for companies limited by shares)

2) Memorandum of Association* (with share capital or without share capital)

Contains the names and signatures of the subscribers who are forming the company, and for companies limited by shares a commitment that each subscribers will take at least one share.

3) Articles of Association*

Contains details of running the company, internal management affairs and liability - they are the company’s internal rulebook. A company can choose to use the standard Model Articles and if they do so do not need to file these with Companies House.

* Alternatively these documents can be purchased from a law / legal stationers, or formation agent at a cost of approx. £30. Local stockists are listed in Yellow Pages.

Complete the above documents and return together with the relevant fee** to:

New Companies Section,
Companies House,
Crown Way,
Cardiff CF14 3UZ

**Fees

Standard service fee is £20 - documents processed in 8 to 10 days
Same day service fee is £50 - documents must be received before 15.00hrs (envelope marked SAME DAY INCORPORATION)

Guidance

Companies House provide guidance to help you understand how to register a company and the legal requirements you must adhere to.

Useful links