How to Register a Limited Company in the UK — A Complete Guide
Registering a limited company in the UK is straightforward when you know what decisions to make upfront. Get the structure right from the start and you avoid costly amendments later. Here is what you need to prepare and what to expect.
What You Need to Decide Before Registering
Before filing with Companies House, you need to have the following confirmed:
Company name — must be unique and not too similar to an existing registered name. You can check availability on the Companies House name availability tool. The name must end in "Limited" or "Ltd".
Registered address — a UK address that appears on the public record. This does not have to be where you trade from, but all official correspondence from Companies House and HMRC is sent here. You can use your home address, but it will be visible to the public on the Companies House website. We cover all the options — home, virtual office, and accountant's address — in our guide to registered address options for a limited company.
Directors and shareholders — who will run the company and who will own it. You can be both the sole director and sole shareholder, or split ownership between multiple people.
Share structure — how many shares to issue and at what nominal value. A common starting point is 100 shares at £1 each (£100 share capital). If you have multiple shareholders, the split between them determines ownership proportions and dividend entitlement. Getting this right has long-term tax implications — see our guide on choosing the right share structure.
SIC code — the Standard Industrial Classification code that describes what your company does. You can select more than one. Companies House uses this for statistical purposes but it also appears on your public record.
Articles of association — the rules governing how the company is run. Most new companies use the Model Articles of Association provided by Companies House, which are suitable for most straightforward setups.
What the Registration Process Looks Like
Once the above is confirmed, registration with Companies House is typically completed within 24 hours online. The Companies House digital filing fee is currently £100 (increased from £50 on 1 February 2026). Your accountant can handle the filing on your behalf. For a full breakdown of all setup and ongoing costs, see the true cost of setting up a limited company.
On incorporation you receive a Certificate of Incorporation with your company number and the official date the company came into existence.
What Happens After Registration
Each company receives a UTR — Unique Taxpayer Reference from HMRC. This is required before you can register for corporation tax, PAYE, or VAT. It arrives by post to your registered address. The official HMRC timeline is 15 working days, though in practice it often arrives within a week. Allow longer if you register in August or around Christmas — HMRC processing can slow during those periods. If it does not arrive, you can request a duplicate UTR from HMRC.
Once you have your UTR you should:
- Open a business bank account in the company name — the company is a separate legal entity and must have its own account
- Register for PAYE if you plan to pay yourself or any employees a salary through payroll
- Register for VAT when required — see our guide on whether to register for VAT when setting up a new company
- Set up bookkeeping from day one — you will need to file annual accounts and a corporation tax return within nine months of your year end
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use my home address as the registered address? A: Yes, but it becomes part of the public Companies House record, which means anyone can look it up. Most directors prefer to use a separate registered address — typically provided by their accountant — to keep their home address off the public record.
Q: Do I need a solicitor to register a company? A: No. An accountant can handle the full registration process, including advising on share structure, articles of association, and SIC codes. Legal advice is only typically needed for more complex shareholder agreements.
Q: How long does it take? A: Online registration via Companies House is usually processed within 24 hours. Same-day registration is available for an additional fee. The part that takes longer is receiving your UTR from HMRC — allow up to 15 working days, longer over holiday periods.
Ready to set up your company? Contact Liberate Accountants for a free consultation, or learn more about our company registration service.
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