Skip to content 
Register a Limited Company
Your company registered with Companies House and set up properly for tax, free with any limited company package
We register your limited company with Companies House, set up your share structure for tax efficiency, guide you through identity verification and register you with HMRC, so you can start trading with confidence.
- Free with a company package
- Share structure set up for tax
- Identity verification guided
- HMRC registrations done
Register your limited company
Free, no obligation. We usually reply the same working day.
Thank you, we've received your details
One of our accountants will be in touch shortly with your fixed fee. Need us sooner? Call 020 3369 0738.
By sending this form you agree to us contacting you about your enquiry. See our privacy policy.
How much does it cost to register a limited company?
Choose how you'd like to register. Your fixed price updates instantly.
Do you want an accountant too?
Extras
Companies House charges its own registration fee, passed on at cost.
In short
How do you register a limited company?
To register a limited company in the UK, you choose a company name, a registered office address, at least one director and at least one shareholder, decide your share structure and identify the people with significant control. Directors and people with significant control must verify their identity with Companies House. The company is then registered online with Companies House for a £100 fee, usually within 24 hours, and must register for Corporation Tax within 3 months of starting to trade.
- Companies House fee£100 online
- Typical timeUsually within 24 hours
- Minimum1 director and 1 shareholder
- Our feeFree with a company package
What you need to register a limited company
Have these ready and registration is quick and simple.
- A company name that isn't already taken, ending in Limited or Ltd
- A registered office address in the UK
- At least one director aged 16 or over
- At least one shareholder, who can be the director
- Identity verification for directors and people with significant control
- A SIC code describing what the company does
- A share structure, such as 100 ordinary shares
- Articles of association, usually the standard model articles
How to register a limited company with us
Four simple steps from idea to trading company.
Choose your structure
We check your name and recommend a tax-efficient share structure.
Verify identities
Directors and people with significant control verify their identity with Companies House.
We register your limited company
We file with Companies House and send your certificate of incorporation.
Set up for trading
We register you for Corporation Tax, PAYE and VAT if needed, and help with banking.
After you register a limited company
Your company has ongoing duties from day one. We handle them all.
| Duty | When |
|---|---|
| Register for Corporation Tax | Within 3 months of starting to trade |
| Register as an employer (PAYE) | Before the first payday |
| Register for VAT | When taxable turnover passes £90,000 |
| First accounts filed | Within 21 months of incorporation |
| Confirmation statement | At least once every 12 months |
| Keep statutory registers | Ongoing |
Limited company vs sole trader
Deciding whether to register a limited company? These are the main differences.
| Sole trader | Limited company | |
|---|---|---|
| Liability | Personally liable for business debts | Liability usually limited to your investment |
| Tax | Income Tax on all profits | Corporation Tax of 19% to 25%, then tax on what you take out |
| Paperwork | Simpler | More filings and records |
| Privacy | Details stay private | Directors are on the public register |
| Best for | Lower profits and simplicity | Higher profits and growth |
Not sure? Ask us and we'll compare your tax both ways for free.
Other types of company
Registering something other than a standard limited company? We form these too.
| Company type | Our fee |
|---|---|
| Limited liability partnership (LLP) | £149 + VAT |
| Company limited by guarantee | £149 + VAT |
| Community interest company (CIC) | £349 + VAT |
| UK subsidiary of an overseas company | £1,500 + VAT |
See all company formation prices.
Prices to register a limited company
Fixed fees, agreed in writing before we start. Prices exclude VAT.
With a monthly package
Company formation free, plus accounts, CT600, payroll and the director's tax return.
Check my exact priceFormation only
Registration with Companies House and Corporation Tax registration.
See formation pricesRegistered office
Keep your home address off the public register.
Registered officeCompanies House charges £100 to register a company online, passed on at cost.
Using an accountant vs registering a limited company yourself
Anyone can register a company online, but the decisions you make on day one affect your tax for years.
| Doing it yourself | With Fixed Fee Accountant | |
|---|---|---|
| Share structure | Default shares, often not tax-efficient | Planned for dividends and family members |
| Tax registrations | You register with HMRC yourself | Corporation Tax, PAYE and VAT done for you |
| Identity verification | You work it out alone | We guide every director through it |
| Ongoing duties | Easy to miss first deadlines | Every deadline tracked |
| Cost | £100 Companies House fee | Free formation with a package |
Register a limited company for your type of business
Choose your situation to see how we help.
Start-ups
Launch your company with the right structure from day one.
Accountant for start-ups →Contractors
A single-director company ready for your first contract.
Contractor accountants →Sole traders
Moving from sole trader to a limited company.
Accountant for sole traders →Limited companies
Ongoing accounts and tax after registration.
Accountant for limited companies →Landlords
Property companies and incorporation reviews.
Accountant for landlords →Overseas businesses
UK subsidiaries and companies owned from abroad.
Overseas company set-up →Moving from sole trader to a company?
We compare your tax both ways, register your company, and file a final sole trader return for the period before the switch.
Fixed fee company registration
With fixed fee company registration, formation is free with any limited company package, and the Companies House fee is passed on at cost with no mark-up.
- Price agreed in writing first
- No hourly rates
- No charge for questions
Register a limited company online
We register your limited company online with Companies House, guide you through identity verification remotely, and send your documents by email, wherever you are in the UK.
- Secure online document upload
- Evenings and Saturdays
- Support anywhere in the UK
Register a limited company FAQs
How much does it cost to register a limited company?
Companies House charges £100 to register online. Our formation service is free with any limited company package, or £149 plus VAT on its own.
How long does it take to register a limited company?
Most companies are registered within 24 hours once all directors and people with significant control have verified their identity.
Do directors need to verify their identity?
Yes. Directors and people with significant control must verify their identity with Companies House. We guide you through it, including for directors based overseas.
Can I be the only director and shareholder?
Yes. A private limited company needs at least one director and one shareholder, and they can be the same person.
Can I use my home address as the registered office?
Yes, but it will appear on the public register. Our registered office service keeps your home address private, from £20 a month plus VAT.
What share structure should I choose?
Many small companies start with ordinary shares, but different share classes can allow more flexible dividends. We recommend a structure based on your plans.
Do I need to register for Corporation Tax?
Yes. You must register for Corporation Tax within 3 months of starting to trade. We do this for you as part of registration.
Should I register a limited company or stay a sole trader?
It depends on your profits, plans and attitude to risk. A limited company can be more tax-efficient at higher profits. We compare both for you.
What happens after I register a limited company?
You'll need to register for Corporation Tax, set up payroll if you pay salaries, keep records, file accounts and confirmation statements, and possibly register for VAT.
Can you register other types of company?
Yes. We register LLPs, companies limited by guarantee, CICs and UK subsidiaries of overseas companies. See our company formation prices.
Register your limited company today
Tell us about your plans and we'll confirm your fixed fee, usually the same working day.