- Apply in minutes, get your Certificate of Incorporation within one business day.
- Only £24.99 (Save £75 on standard government fees).
- Includes a free, FSCS-protected Tide Business Bank Account.
What is a limited company, and do you actually need one?
A limited company is a legally separate business structure registered at Companies House, the UK’s official register of companies. As the company owner, your personal finances and assets are separate from the business, so if things go wrong, your personal liability isn’t automatically on the line.
Most founders who choose to register their business, do so as a private limited company (Ltd). It’s the most common structure in the UK and it’s what this page focuses on.
Not sure if you should register your business? There are some reasons that make it wise to consider registering, for example tax efficiencies, but it can also be because it will enhance your business profile that can trigger thoughts of registering as a limited company. An accountant can help you work out what’s right for your situation and you should learn about the different ongoing reporting structures for registered companies
How to register a limited company: your three routes
Route 1: Directly through Companies House (gov.uk)
You can register yourself via the gov.uk website. It costs £100 online (or £124 by post) and takes around one business day if submitted digitally. Register directly with Companies House
This is the DIY route. There’s limited guidance built in and extras like a virtual address for your registered office or a business bank account need to be arranged separately. If your company structure is straightforward and you’re comfortable navigating the forms yourself, it works fine, but make sure you check out the other options first to make sure you’re not missing out on a more cost effective way to do it.
Route 2: Through an Authorised Company Service Provider (ACSP)
More easily known as formation agents who are registered with Companies House and are authorised to handle the registration on your behalf. They typically cover most or all of the admin required within the £100 Companies House fee as part of their package and can bundle extras such as an introduction to a business bank account, a virtual office address or admin tools.
This is a popular route for first time founders as the process is guided, errors are less likely and you might end up paying less than going direct.
Route 3: Through an accountant or solicitor
If your company structure is complex, including multiple share classes, investment provisions or specific legal requirements, a professional adviser may be worth the additional cost to register your business.
Company formation options overview
This table shows the fee charged by approved ACSP formation agents to register a Limited Company onlyUsing an ACSP means you do not pay an additional fee directly to Companies House, it’s paid by the ACSP on your behalf.
Prices correct at time of publication – not all are inclusive of VAT.
| ASCP Provider | Fee to Register Limited Company | Free Bank Account? | Turnaround (days) | Extra Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tide | £24.99 Or £60 + VAT for confirmation statement filing & key deadline tracking | Yes | 1 |
|
| ANNA Money | £100 Includes first year confirmation statement & company changes. Free with Enhanced (£199) or Total Support (£399) plans | Yes | 1–3 |
|
| Zempler Bank | £100 or Free Add £100 to your new account within 30 days and receive £100 back | Yes | 2–3 |
|
| 1st Formations | From £102.99 Includes free domain name & first confirmation statement | No | 1 |
|
Our comparison focuses on Business Accounts with company formation services as an ASCP. Always check the business accounts full terms, fees and suitability to your business. Prices subject to change. Other services are available. Always check updated prices and terms before applying. KnowYourBusiness.co.uk is an independent comparison platform. We do not provide company formation services directly.
Visit Tide – £24.99
Tide is an authorised Companies House formation agent and a popular way to register a company in the UK. You pay £24.99 Tide, saving 75% of what you would be charged if you registered directly with Companies House.
As part of the same process, you get a Tide business bank account. Most companies are incorporated within one business day, and you’ll receive your certificate of incorporation by email.
What’s included:
- Company registration with Companies House
- Certificate of incorporation (digital)
- Free Tide business bank account
- Free Mastercard debit card
- Identity verification through Tide’s ACSP status
Worth knowing:
- Tide currently only accepts single shareholder business structures at registration
- If you incorporate on a Friday, your certificate may arrive the following Monday
- Tide accounts are not just for limited companies. If you’re a Sole Trader, Tide has accounts for your business too
How to register a limited company: step by step
Whether you use a formation agent or go directly through Companies House, the information you’ll need is the same. Here’s what to prepare before you start.
Choose your company name
Your company name must be unique and end with the appropriate company structure, eg ‘Limited’ or ‘Ltd’. You can check availability on the Companies House register. Avoid names that are too similar to existing companies or that contain sensitive or restricted words (like ‘bank’ or ‘royal’).
Decide on your registered office address
Every company needs a registered office address. This is a UK address where official correspondence (including letters from Companies House and HMRC) can be sent. This address is publicly listed on the Companies House register.
If you work from home and don’t want your home address made public you could choose to use a service that provides you with a virtual office as your registered address for a monthly fee. These are available via formation agents or directly via virtual office services
Confirm your company officers
You’ll need at least one director. Directors are legally responsible for the company’s filings and compliance. You’ll need to provide your full name, date of birth, nationality, occupation, and a service address
Set up your share structure
Most simple companies start with one ordinary share class. You’ll need to list all shareholders and how many shares they hold, detailing which one(s) hold significant control. If you’re the only director and shareholder, this is straightforward.
Complete your application
Submit your application through Companies House directly or via your chosen formation agent. For online applications, approval typically comes within one business day.
Receive your certificate of incorporation
Once Companies House confirms your company, you’ll receive a digital certificate of incorporation and a company registration number. From this point, your company legally and separately exists.
Register with HMRC
Within three months of starting to trade, you need to register your company with HMRC.. This is a separate registration that you can do independently or via an accountant, and will be the start of your new tax reporting structure for corporation tax and VAT liabilities
What does it cost to register a limited company?
The registration fee is just the starting point. Here’s a realistic picture of what you’ll need to budget for:
Mandatory costs:
- Companies House registration fee: Approximately from £24.99 to £100 depending how you choose to register (directly or via agent).
Associated tasks & costs:
- Virtual office address: £10–£30/month for a virtual address if you don’t to use your home address
- Corporation Tax registration: free (via HMRC)
- Business bank account: Business accounts operate on various free structures, find one that matches your business model to get the best value
- Accountant: from approximately £500per year, rising on the company’s complexity
- VAT registration: free (via HMRC); accountants may charge for this service
For a straightforward limited company with one director and shareholder, total first-year setup costs can be as low as £25-£100.
Company Formation FAQs
1. How long does it take to register a limited company in the UK?
Online applications through Companies House or a formation agent are often processed within one business day.
2. Do I need a business bank account when I register?
You are legally required to keep the company’s finances separate from your own so a business account will be needed for any business related financial transactions. Many formation agents offer a bank account or introduce you to a provider, so that registering and opening an account happens almost simultaneously.
3. Can I register a limited company if I’m not a UK resident?
Yes, Companies House allows non-UK residents to register a limited company, as long as the company has a UK registered office address. Some formation agents specialise in helping non-residents navigate this process as identity verification requirements will be more complex.
4. What is a registered office address?
Every UK limited company must have a registered office address – a UK address where legal correspondence can be sent. This address is public record. It doesn’t have to be where you work, but it must be a real UK address capable of receiving physical mail. Many founders use a virtual office address service to keep their home address private.
5. What’s the difference between a director and a shareholder?
A director runs the company day to day and is legally responsible for its filings and compliance. A shareholder owns a portion of the company through shares. You can be both, and in many small companies, the director and sole shareholder are the same person.
6. What is Corporation Tax and when do I need to register?
Corporation Tax is the tax your limited company pays on its profits. The current rates are 19% to 25% with graduated relief in between. You must register with HMRC for Corporation Tax within three months of starting to trade. You can do this via the HMRC website or with the help of an accountant.
7. What is an ACSP?
An Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) is a business registered with Companies House that is authorised to verify identities on its behalf. From November 2024, directors forming a new company must have their identity verified. If you use a formation agent like Tide that holds ACSP status, they can do this as part of your registration, saving you from verifying separately.
8. Can I change my company name after registration?
Yes. You can change your company name after incorporation. Companies House charges a fee for this and the change needs to be filed formally. Some formation agents offer this as an add-on service.
This page is for informational purposes only. KnowYourBusiness.co.uk is not an Authorised Corporate Service Provider and does not facilitate company registration.