You can register a UK limited company online at Companies House in about 24 hours for £50, or instantly using an incorporation agent. The whole process takes 6 steps: pick a name, decide a structure, prepare documents, register at Companies House, register for tax, and open a bank account.

This is the standard path for the overwhelming majority of new UK businesses incorporating as a private company limited by shares.

Step 1 — Choose and check the name

Search the Companies House register to confirm your chosen name is available. Rules to be aware of:

• It must end with "Limited" or "Ltd" (or the Welsh equivalents).
• It cannot be the same as an existing registered name, or "too like" one.
• It cannot contain prohibited or sensitive words (e.g. "Royal", "Chartered", "Bank") without permission.
• It cannot suggest a connection to government or local authorities.

Also check the matching domain is available and that the brand is clear on Google. The most common mistake: picking a name that''s legally available but already used in trade by another business, leading to passing-off claims.

Step 2 — Decide your structure

Private company limited by shares is the default — 95% of UK SMEs use this form. Alternatives:

• Company limited by guarantee — no shareholders, members guarantee a small amount (typically £1). Used for clubs, charities, non-profits.
• Public limited company (PLC) — minimum £50,000 share capital, can offer shares to the public. Almost never used at SME scale.
• LLP — combines partnership tax treatment with limited liability. Used by professional services partnerships.

For a new commercial business with one or more shareholders, choose private company limited by shares.

Step 3 — Prepare the documents you''ll need

Online incorporation needs:

• Company name (verified per step 1).
• Registered office address in the UK — can be your home, a registered office service, or your accountant. This becomes public.
• At least one director — must be 16+, not bankrupt, not disqualified. Director''s service address (public) and residential address (private) needed.
• At least one shareholder — usually the founder(s). Shareholder details: full name, service address, shareholding.
• Person of Significant Control (PSC) — anyone owning >25%. Often the same as the shareholder.
• Articles of Association — most use the standard Model Articles. Pick "Adopt Model Articles" on the application.
• SIC code(s) — 1-4 codes describing your activities (see our SIC codes guide).
• Statement of capital — how many shares, of what class, at what nominal value (commonly 100 ordinary shares of £1).

Step 4 — File the incorporation at Companies House

Two routes:

1. Direct via Companies House WebFiling: £50, processed within 24 hours.
2. Via an incorporation agent or your accountant: typically £20-£100, often same-day, includes Articles drafted, sometimes includes registered office service for the first year.

Both routes ask for the same information. The agent route is faster and usually cheaper after the first attempt, especially if you need bespoke Articles.

From autumn 2025, every director and PSC must complete identity verification — either via GOV.UK One Login or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). This is part of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. For new incorporations the requirement applies from the day it commences — without verification, the application is rejected.

You''ll receive your Certificate of Incorporation by email (and shortly after, by post). The company exists from that moment.

Step 5 — Register for tax

Several separate registrations follow incorporation:

• Corporation Tax: automatic — HMRC sends a letter within 14 days with your UTR. Just confirm activity start date online.
• VAT: only required if turnover crosses (or will cross) £90,000 in 12 months. See our VAT registration guide.
• PAYE: register if you''ll have employees (including yourself as a salaried director). Register at least 4 weeks before the first payday.
• Self Assessment (personal): register if you''ll be a company director with reportable income — see our self-assessment guide.

Step 6 — Open a business bank account

Required by law? No — but in practice every limited company should have a separate bank account from day one. Co-mingling personal and company money exposes you to: tax reporting headaches, beneficial loan account complications, and (in insolvency) wrongful trading risk.

UK SME business bank accounts split into two camps:

• Traditional banks (NatWest, Lloyds, HSBC, Barclays): branches, longer onboarding (typically 1-3 weeks), more lending products available later.
• Digital banks (Tide, Starling, Monzo Business): online onboarding in hours, mobile-first, fewer products but generally lower fees.

Apply with the Certificate of Incorporation, photo ID for directors, proof of address, and a description of expected activity.

What to do after incorporation

• Set up bookkeeping software before you incur your first expense. Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, or Sage are the main UK choices.
• Note the year-end date — typically the last day of the month a year after incorporation. This drives all future deadlines.
• Set calendar reminders: confirmation statement (12 months from incorporation), accounts filing (9 months after year-end), Corporation Tax payment (9 months and 1 day after year-end), CT600 return (12 months after year-end).
• Talk to an accountant if you haven''t already. The cheapest moment to fix structural issues is in the first month.