Company formation: the forms you need to complete

Setting up a limited company in the UK is much simpler and quicker than most people realise. You can complete the whole process online, so there’s no need to fill in and sign any paper forms or send documentation by post.

Whether you apply directly at Companies House (the UK Registrar of Companies) or through an online formation agent, your new company could be registered and ready to trade in just 24 hours.

To set up a private limited company, Companies House requires the following documents:

1. Application to register a company (form IN01)

Companies House form IN01 is the official application to register a company in the UK. To complete this form, you need to provide certain information about your new company, including:

• unique company name that is available to register and does not contain any ‘sensitive’ words or expressions (unless you have approval to include them)
• main business activities
• registered office address
• particulars of every director and the company secretary (optional appointment)
• particulars of every shareholder and person with significant control (PSC)
• details of all issued shares, if applicable.

When incorporating online at Companies House or through an agent, you will complete a simplified digital version of this form and submit it electronically.

If you wish to incorporate by post instead, you’ll need to download and print the paper form IN01 from Companies House.

2. The memorandum of association

The memorandum of association is a legal statement that records the names and signatures of every subscriber, their intention to form a company under the Companies Act 2006, and their agreement to become members of the company.

Subscribers are either shareholders or guarantors, depending on whether a company is limited by shares or limited by guarantee.

When forming a company limited by shares, the memorandum of association also records each subscriber’s agreement to take at least one share.

If you form a company online, you don’t need to provide your memorandum. The Registrar will create this document automatically using the information in form IN01.

If you choose to register by post rather than online, you can use one of the following templates from Companies House:

• memorandum of association for companies limited by shares
• memorandum of association for companies limited by guarantee

The memorandum is essentially a snapshot of your company’s membership at the time of its incorporation. As such, you cannot change or update any part of this document after registration, other than the company’s name (if applicable).

3. Articles of association

The articles of association is a governing document that forms the basis of your company’s constitution. It sets out the principles and rules of the company and how it should operate, including:

• the liability of members
• directors’ powers and responsibilities
• shareholder meetings and decision-making
• the rules on issuing and transferring shares and paying shareholder dividends

Most companies use the default ‘model’ articles of association prescribed by the Companies Act 2006. There are different versions for companies limited by shares and companies limited by guarantee.

The model version will apply automatically unless you provide your own amended or bespoke articles with your application.

You can also change the articles at any point after incorporation. This may be necessary to reflect the changing needs of the company and its members over time.

4. Supporting documentation for certain company names

If your proposed company name contains sensitive words or expressions, you must provide additional documentation that supports the name. In most cases, this should be a letter or email of non-objection from the relevant specified body. You need to include this with your application.

Companies House guidance on incorporation and names provides a list of all sensitive words and expressions requiring prior approval, alongside details of the specified bodies you need to contact.

How to submit your company formation documents

Using a company formation agent is usually the quickest and easiest way to submit your documents. Simply complete the online application on their website, and they’ll take care of the rest, including filing your company formation documents electronically at Companies House.

Most applications are approved within 24 hours. Your agent can also answer any questions you may have and provide assistance with the application process.

Alternatively, you can submit these documents yourself using the online incorporation service at Companies House. Applications are usually processed within 24 hours.

Companies House charges a standard incorporation fee of £50 for all online applications, including those submitted by formation agents.

If you send your application by post instead, the Registrar may take a week or more to process it. Paper-based applications cost £71.

Use ByteStart’s company formation partner

Our company formation partner has set up thousands of companies for ByteStart readers over the past several years.

Visit the 1st Formations website to learn more about their services and the steps required to set up a limited company in the UK.