To set up a limited company you register it with Companies House, choosing a name, a registered office address, at least one director and one shareholder, and a SIC code. Online registration costs £100 and is usually completed within 24 hours. You then add Corporation Tax services to your HMRC business tax account.
At a glance
- Online registration fee
- £100, paid by debit or credit card
- Postal registration
- £124 by cheque, taking 8 to 10 days
- Usual online processing time
- Within 24 hours
- Minimum people
- One director and one shareholder, who can be the same person
- Company secretary
- Not required
- People with significant control
- Anyone with more than 25% of shares or voting rights, for example
- First accounts due
- 21 months after registering with Companies House
What is a limited company?
A limited company is a business that is legally separate from the people who own it, run by one or more directors. GOV.UK says it has “limited liability”, meaning owners are responsible for business debts only up to the value of their financial investment.
Most businesses register as either a limited company or a sole trader. If you are weighing it up, our comparison of sole trader vs limited company sets out the trade-offs, and what is a sole trader covers the alternative.
What do you need before you register?
Before you register you need to decide the company type, the name, the people involved and an address. Having these ready makes the form quick to complete.
| Item | What the rule says |
|---|---|
| Company type | Most companies are limited by shares. Companies limited by guarantee are usually non-profit |
| Company name | Cannot match another registered company’s name, and must usually end in Limited or Ltd |
| Registered office address | A physical UK address in the same country the company is registered in; no PO Box |
| Registered email address | You must provide one and read emails sent to it. It is not published on the register |
| Directors | You must appoint at least one director |
| Shareholders | At least one shareholder, who can also be a director |
| People with significant control (PSCs) | For example, anyone with more than 25% of the shares or voting rights |
| SIC code | A number that identifies what the company does |
| Governing documents | Memorandum of association, articles of association and a statement of capital |
You do not have to appoint a company secretary. Our guide to the confirmation statement explains why the details you register here need to stay correct.
How do you choose a company name?
Choose a name that is not already on the Companies House register and that follows the naming rules. Your name cannot be the same as another registered company’s, and if it is too similar to another company’s name or a trade mark you may have to change it if someone complains.
- The name usually has to end in Limited or Ltd, or the Welsh equivalents if the company is registered in Wales.
- It cannot be offensive.
- It cannot contain a sensitive word or suggest a connection with government or local authorities unless you get permission.
- A trading name that differs from the registered name must not include Limited, Ltd, LLP, plc or similar.
GOV.UK recommends checking the Companies House register and existing trade marks before you decide. If you do not want “limited” in the name you must register by post.
What counts as a registered office address?
A registered office must be a physical address in the UK, in the same country as the company is registered, that is “appropriate”. That means post addressed to the company is brought to someone’s attention, and the sender can get confirmation of delivery.
The registered office appears on the public register, and GOV.UK says a company could be struck off if it does not provide an address that meets the rules. If you would rather not publish your home address, use another address, such as an accountant’s or solicitor’s, with their permission.
How do you register the company, step by step?
You register online with Companies House, which GOV.UK says is the usual route, or by post, through an agent or with third-party software. The steps in order:
- Check that a limited company is right for your business.
- Choose the type of company: limited by shares or by guarantee.
- Choose directors, and decide whether you want a company secretary.
- Decide who the shareholders are and identify the PSCs.
- Prepare the governing documents: memorandum, articles and statement of capital.
- Choose a name and check it is available.
- Register with Companies House, giving a registered office address and SIC code.
- Add Corporation Tax services to your business tax account.
You need a Government Gateway user ID and password for the company when you register. You cannot use your personal one. You will receive a certificate of incorporation, which confirms the company legally exists and shows the company number and date of formation.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
Registering online costs £100 and the company is usually registered within 24 hours, as of October 2026 according to GOV.UK. By post, using form IN01, it costs £124 and takes 8 to 10 days.
| Route | Fee | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Online with Companies House | £100 by debit or credit card | Usually within 24 hours |
| By post using form IN01 | £124 by cheque | 8 to 10 days |
| Through an agent or software | Check with the provider | Check with the provider |
Fees can change, so confirm them on GOV.UK before you apply. An accountant may charge for helping, but you do not need one to register.
What must you do after the company is registered?
After registering you must add Corporation Tax services to your business tax account, keep company and accounting records, and meet filing deadlines. GOV.UK says you will usually be set up for Corporation Tax at registration, then you use the 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference to add the service.
| Action | Deadline |
|---|---|
| File first accounts with Companies House | 21 months after the date you registered |
| File annual accounts with Companies House | 9 months after the company’s financial year ends |
| Pay Corporation Tax or tell HMRC none is owed | 9 months and 1 day after the accounting period ends |
| File a Company Tax Return | 12 months after the accounting period ends |
| File a confirmation statement | At least once every 12 months |
GOV.UK says you can be fined up to £5,000 and the company may be struck off if you do not file a confirmation statement. There are also penalties for late filing of accounts and tax returns.
Keep company money separate from your own. Open a business bank account, and read how to file company accounts and how to pay yourself from a limited company before you take any money out.
Can a new limited company borrow?
A new company can apply for finance, subject to status and lender criteria, though a lender has little trading history to assess. Directors may be asked for a personal guarantee, which we cover in our guide to personal guarantees for business loans.
For borrowing in the early years, read our guide to start up business loans.
Where does Capzy fit in?
Capzy is a credit broker, not a lender, and is paid by the lender. Registering a company is a matter for Companies House, so Capzy has no part in it. Once you are trading, we can introduce you to lenders for business finance.
You can check your funding options with a soft search that does not affect your credit score. A full application to a lender may involve a hard search, and any offer is subject to status and lender criteria. Capzy does not give tax, legal or accounting advice, so ask an accountant or solicitor about your own situation.
Sources
- Set up a limited company: step by step, GOV.UK
- Set up a private limited company, GOV.UK
- Types of limited company, GOV.UK
- Choose a company name, GOV.UK
- Check the rules for registered office addresses and email addresses, GOV.UK
- Register your company, GOV.UK
- Running a limited company: your responsibilities, GOV.UK
- Confirmation statement, GOV.UK
- Company and accounting records, GOV.UK
- Accounts and tax returns for private limited companies, GOV.UK
- Being a company director, Companies House
Capzy is a credit broker, not a lender. We get paid by the lender. This page is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Finance is subject to status, lender criteria and affordability; rates and terms depend on your circumstances.