Help With Registering A Limited Company

If you need to register a private limited company, you can do it yourself. However, it's a complicated and time-consuming process. For that reason, many company founders enlist the services of a formation agent.

### Doing it yourself

If you choose to register a limited company yourself, you can do so by using Companies House Web Incorporation Services or by completing paper forms.

### To register a company you need:

* A company name.

* At least one company director (probably you).

* At least one shareholder (often the same person as the company director for a startup).

* Articles of association – containing information on the company’s management.

* Memorandum of association – containing details of shareholders, share distribution, etc.

* Companies House Form IN01 – containing company information including directors’ and shareholders’ details, the address for the registered office, etc.

The online incorporation service costs £15 and you’ll be registered in 48 hours. Postal application requires a fee of £40 and takes eight to ten days, with a same-day service available for £100 if you get your application to Companies House by 3pm. If your registration is successful, you will receive a paper copy of a Certificate of Incorporation

For its Web Incorporation Services, Companies House uses model articles. It can provide you with guidance on the forms and methods of incorporating a company, on your choice of company name and also give general guidance on matters such as filing requirements. However, it won’t advise you on the content of your company’s articles, or whether a limited company is the best vehicle for your business.

If you are unsure about any aspect of registering a limited company, you should consider seeking the professional advice of a company formation agent, solicitor or accountant.

There are many formation agents operating online – Companies House has a list of formation and company secretarial agents that have been tested and can submit electronic incorporations – you can see the list here: http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/about/gbhtml/ca_gbf2.shtml

A reputable formation agent can take care of your registration for you, providing advice on structuring your limited company and ensuring all the essential documentation is in place and compliant with the law. Using a formation agent is relatively inexpensive – often as cheap as £25 plus VAT. But prices and level of service will, of course, vary, so do your research and shop around. Look for online reviews or recommendations.

Another way to get help in registering your limited company is through accountants or solicitors – although their involvement in the incorporation of companies has declined in recent years due to the rise of formation agents and the simplicity they offer. However, it might be worthwhile talking to your accountant for advice on the structure of your company regarding your tax efficiency and plans for the future of the business. In some cases, accountancy firms sell “off-the-shelf”, ready-made limited companies with designated company officers listed on paperwork. Your name and those of any other company directors can then be transferred when you receive the documentation. However, once again, this option is less frequently used nowadays with the rising popularity of formation agents.