Updated: 15 July 2024

If you’re setting up a limited company, registering your company or partnership with Companies House is one of the most important steps.

Once you register your company, you’ll get a Certificate of Incorporation, which is a legal document confirming the existence of your new company.

Registering with Companies House can seem daunting, but as long as you’ve gathered the right information, it should be relatively painless. Or, if you prefer, you can pay a registrar to do it for you.

Whichever option you choose, keep reading to find out more about registering with Companies House and getting your own Certificate of Incorporation.

What is a Certificate of Incorporation?

After you register your limited company with Companies House, you should get a Certificate of Incorporation. You can choose to get this in either paper or digital format.

The Certificate of Incorporation is a legal document and confirms your company’s:

name
registration number
date of incorporation
location of registration (e.g England and Wales, or Scotland)

These details will be added to the Companies House register, which is available to the public.

Some call the Certificate of Incorporation a company’s birth certificate – it states that your company exists, and you may need to show it to get access to products like business bank accounts, loans, and other funding.

Do I need to register with Companies House?

If you’re starting a limited company or limited liability partnership (LLP), you’re legally required to register with Companies House.

Before you register your limited company, make sure you come up with a good company name. You’ll need this to get your Certificate of Incorporation.

Do sole traders need to register with Companies House?

If you’re operating as a sole trader rather than a limited company, you don’t need to register with Companies House. However, you’ll need to register with HMRC and complete an annual Self Assessment tax return. You may also need to register for VAT.

If you’re not sure which legal structure to choose, read more about the differences between sole traders and limited companies.

How to register a limited company with Companies House

If you choose to register a limited company with Companies House yourself, the process is simple. First, there are a few pieces of information you’ll need, including:

your company name
details of company directors
details of company secretary
people with significant control, or PSC
accounting records
completed memorandum of association and articles of association

You’ll then be able to register with Companies House. You should make sure that you keep your registration details safe, as you’ll need them to file further documents, which you’ll be required to do at least annually.

Provided that you’ve completed the form correctly and paid the fee, you should appear on the register within 24 hours.

You’re also able to register with Companies House through certain approved software.

How much does it cost to register with Companies House?

The cost for registering with Companies House depends on how you send your application, and whether you do it yourself or pay a third party registrar.

if you choose to register online, it costs £50, which can be paid by debit or credit card – the application normally takes 24 hours
if you register by post, the fee is £71 (paid by cheque) and you’ll be set up within eight to ten days

Can I use a third party to register with Companies House?

Yes, there are many registrars that can complete the Companies House registration process for you. They’ll handle all the paperwork, but it’ll often cost you more than doing it yourself.

Many new companies choose to use registrars for several reasons. Firstly, they can be confident that the application process will be handled correctly. Additionally, registrars often offer services including registered addresses (many of which are in prestigious London locations), directors’ service addresses (so that directors’ residential addresses aren’t on the public record), and mail forwarding from HMRC and Companies House.

More guides to setting up a business

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Certificate of Incorporation: registering with Companies House