Company Registration United Kingdom: Complete Guide to Setup, Compliance and Costs

Author : Steve Stoke | Published On : 21 Feb 2026

Company Registration United Kingdom becomes straightforward when you understand the essentials: register your private limited company with Companies House, appoint directors and shareholders, set up articles of association, and inform HMRC about your tax obligations. You can complete the core process online quickly, and successful Company Registration United Kingdom gives you a legally recognised company that allows you to trade, hire employees, and open business bank accounts.

This article walks you through the practical steps to register your company, what information you must supply, and how to meet post-registration compliance like filing accounts and confirming officers. Follow these clear actions and you’ll avoid common delays and keep your new business on the right side of UK rules.

Steps to Company Registration in the United Kingdom

You will pick a company form, register details with Companies House, meet ongoing legal and tax obligations, and receive a Certificate of Incorporation that proves the company legally exists.

Choosing a Company Structure

Choose the structure that fits your liability, tax, and governance needs. Most new businesses use a private company limited by shares (Ltd) because it limits shareholder liability and suits profit-making activities.
If you plan non-profit activities, consider a company limited by guarantee or a charitable structure; those have different reporting and governance rules.

Decide directors and shareholders before you register. You must provide at least one director’s full name and service address, and details of initial share allotment if using shares.
Prepare your articles of association — you can adopt standard model articles or draft bespoke rules covering decision-making, share transfers, and director powers.

Registering With Companies House

You can register online, by post, or via an agent. Online registration through Companies House WebFiling or third-party formation services is fastest; expect same-day or 24‑hour processing in many cases.
Gather required information: company name, registered office address in the UK, director(s) details, shareholder(s) and share capital (for Ltd), and the chosen articles of association.

Complete the IN01 form if registering by post; the online form asks similar fields and uploads the articles. Pay the registration fee (standard online fee is lower than postal) and ensure the name complies with naming rules — avoid sensitive words and trademarks.
If you use an agent, you must still confirm accuracy of submitted details because directors remain legally responsible for information filed.

Meeting Legal Requirements

You must notify HMRC within three months of starting business activity for Corporation Tax; do this even if you won’t trade immediately.
Register for PAYE if you will employ people, and register for VAT once your taxable turnover exceeds the threshold or if voluntary VAT registration suits your cash flow.

Keep statutory registers and records: minutes of meetings, register of members, and register of directors. File annual accounts and a confirmation statement with Companies House on time to avoid penalties.
Comply with director duties under the Companies Act 2006: act within powers, promote the company’s success, and avoid conflicts of interest. Maintain accurate accounting records and be ready for possible inspections or requests from regulators.

Receiving a Certificate of Incorporation

Companies House issues a Certificate of Incorporation once it accepts your application. This certificate includes the company number and date of incorporation and serves as legal proof the company exists.
You can receive the certificate electronically or as a paper copy depending on your filing method and any extra services selected.

Use the certificate when opening a business bank account, applying for contracts, and proving legal status to suppliers or clients. Keep the certificate with your statutory records and provide copies to stakeholders who need evidence of incorporation.

Post-Registration Requirements and Compliance

After incorporation, you must open appropriate financial accounts, meet regular filing deadlines with Companies House and HMRC, and keep accurate statutory records that are available for inspection when required.

Setting Up Business Bank Accounts

Open a UK business bank account in the company’s legal name as soon as practicable. Most banks require your Certificate of Incorporation, the company’s Articles of Association, proof of directors’ ID and residential addresses, and a recent board resolution authorising the account opening if someone else applies on behalf of the company.

Compare account features: transaction fees, online banking, international payments, and integrated accounting feeds. If you plan cross-border trade, consider a multicurrency account or a specialist fintech provider for cheaper FX and faster collections.

Keep signatory rules and mandate limits documented. Maintain a copy of the bank mandate with your statutory records. Reconcile accounts monthly and retain supporting documents for at least six years to satisfy HMRC and audit requirements.

Understanding Annual Filings

You must file a Confirmation Statement (CS01) with Companies House at least once every 12 months to confirm officer details and share structure. File your first Confirmation Statement within 12 months of incorporation, or sooner if details change.

Prepare and file annual accounts with Companies House and submit Corporation Tax returns to HMRC. Accounts normally include a balance sheet, profit and loss, and notes; small company exemptions may apply if you meet size criteria. Corporation Tax is payable nine months and one day after the accounting period ends; file the tax return within 12 months.

Late filings attract penalties and can lead to prosecution. Set calendar reminders for the company’s accounting reference date and the Confirmation Statement deadline to avoid fines.

Maintaining Statutory Records

Maintain the statutory registers: register of members, register of directors, register of persons with significant control (PSC), and register of charges. Keep the registers up to date and available at the company’s registered office or a single alternative inspection location.

Record minutes of board and general meetings, written resolutions, and any share transfers. Store original signed documents (contracts, share certificates, director consents) securely and retain them for the periods required by law—commonly six years for tax-related records, longer for property or permanent records.

Update Companies House within statutory timeframes when officer details, PSCs, or registered office address change. Failure to maintain accurate records can result in penalties and complicate financing, audits, or sale transactions.