In short: To form a UK limited company you need a name, a registered office and registered email address, details of at least one director and the shareholders, a statement of capital, a SIC code, articles of association and a statement that the company is formed for a lawful purpose. Since 18 November 2025, each director and person with significant control must also verify their identity with Companies House.
Forming a limited company is mostly an online process, but you need the right information ready. This guide lists what Companies House asks for and the documents you receive once the company is registered.
Information about the company
- Company name. It must be available and follow the naming rules. See our guide to checking company name availability or use our Name Check.
- Registered office address. An "appropriate address" in the same UK nation as the company (England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland). No PO boxes.
- Registered email address. Used by Companies House to contact the company. It is not made public.
- SIC code. A short code describing what the company does. You can choose up to four.
- Lawful purpose statement. The subscribers confirm the company is being formed for a lawful purpose.
Information about the people
Directors. You need at least one director who is a person aged 16 or over. Directors can live anywhere in the world. For each director you will give:
- Full name and any former names.
- Date of birth.
- Nationality and occupation.
- Country of residence.
- A service address (public) and a residential address (private).
Shareholders (subscribers). For each first shareholder, you give their name, address and the number and type of shares they take.
People with significant control (PSCs). These are people who, for example, hold more than 25% of the shares or votes, or can appoint most of the directors. You give their details and the nature of their control.
Identity verification
Since 18 November 2025, every new director and PSC must verify their identity with Companies House. You can do this through GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Form My Company is a Companies House ACSP, so we can complete the check for you, remotely, as part of your order. After verifying, you get a personal code that links your identity to your roles. Existing directors and PSCs verify during a transition period, usually when the company files its next confirmation statement.
Have a valid photo ID ready, such as a passport or driving licence.
Share capital
You will need a statement of capital, which shows:
- How many shares the company issues on formation.
- The value of each share (often £1).
- The class of shares and the rights attached to them.
A small company often starts with one or 100 ordinary shares of £1 each.
Articles of association
The articles are the company's rulebook. Most small companies use the standard "model articles". If you need special rules, for example for different share classes or an investor's rights, you can use bespoke articles.
The memorandum of association is a short document signed by the first shareholders saying they agree to form the company and become members.
What you receive after registration
Once Companies House registers your company, you get:
- A certificate of incorporation, showing the company name, number and date.
- The memorandum and articles.
- Share certificates for each shareholder (often prepared by your formation agent).
- A company authentication code, used to file some information online.
- Your company's statutory registers, which you should keep up to date.
After incorporation
- Register for Corporation Tax with HMRC within 3 months of starting to trade.
- Open a business bank account. Banks will ask for your incorporation documents and ID.
- Register for VAT and PAYE if they apply.
Common mistakes
- Using a home address without realising it becomes public.
- Choosing the wrong SIC code.
- Forgetting a PSC.
- Leaving identity verification to the last minute.
How Form My Company can help
Our simple online form collects everything in one go, and every package includes the £100 Companies House fee and VAT. Our Digital Package (£290) includes the certificate, memorandum and articles, share certificates, registers and HMRC Corporation Tax registration. As a Companies House ACSP, we verify each director's and PSC's identity for you, remotely, as part of your order. Need printed, bound documents posted to you? Choose the Certified Package.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to send paper documents to form a company?
No. Most companies are formed online. You need the information, and each director and PSC needs to verify their identity.
How many directors do I need?
At least one, who must be a person aged 16 or over. They can live anywhere in the world.
What is a SIC code?
A Standard Industrial Classification code that describes your company's main activity. You can choose up to four.
Do I need a lawyer to write articles of association?
Not usually. Most small companies use the model articles. Bespoke articles help when you have investors or several share classes.