How to Register a Company Name Online
Finished your business plan and ready to make some money? Then it’s time to register a company name online with Companies House. Deciding on a name is just one of the actions you need to take to register a company online. Read on and we’ll walk you through the full process step by step.
1. Choose a Company Structure
When most entrepreneurs register a company online, they select what’s called a ‘private company limited by shares’.
This structure can be an effective way of managing your tax. For instance, as a company director, you could draw some of your income from the company dividends, thereby paying less in income tax.
Another benefit is that your personal assets be at risk if the company gets into financial trouble. That’s because a limited company is a separate legal entity and responsible in its own right for all its debts.
2. Register a Company Name Online
Choose a name that helps explain what your business does when read in isolation. Avoid names that are difficult to spell. Think about how the name will work in a web address.
Make sure to pick a unique company name. One way to differentiate yourself is to include the location of your business (i.e. ‘South Leeds Roofers and Joiners’).
3. Sign Up for a Company Formation Package
With our company formation packages, you can register a company online quickly and simply. There are four packages to choose from:
- E-Formation (£9.99): perfect if you want to register a company name online and don’t need any official printed documents.
- Essential (£19.99): offers you complete confidence that you’re starting a company with the rules and regulations covered.
- Entrepreneur (£59.99): kick-start your next big venture with official compliance and additional documents of incorporation.
- Super (£89.99): the complete secretarial and compliance package to establish your company on a robust footing.
Best of all, when you sign up for one of our company formation packages, we pay the £12 Companies House filing fee for you!
4. Enter Your Company Information
When you register a company online, much of the information you provide will be made publically available. Companies House will want details of your:
- Company directors – your company must have at least one director. Companies House will want to know their name, date of birth and residential address.
- Company shareholders – every company must have at least one shareholder, but it can be the same person as the director. Companies House will want to know their name, date of birth and residential address.
- Registered office – this is the address where Companies House and HMRC will send mail. It must be in the UK and it must be possible to reach the company directors at the address.
If you don’t have a separate address for your business, you should use your home address to register a company online. But if you aren’t comfortable with your home address being made public, we offer a Registered Agent Service which lets you register your business at our Central London location.
5. Hand Out Company Shares
When you register a company online, you’ll need to allocate shares to your shareholder(s). The simplest way is to allocate one share to each shareholder, and make each individual share worth £1.
6. Submit the Memorandum and Articles of Association
These documents formalise how your company will be run. They need to be agreed on and signed by the company director(s), shareholder(s) and secretary before you register a company online.
We’ve drawn up article templates to meet the needs of most new businesses. You get access to these when you sign up for our company formation packages.
7. Submit Everything to Companies House
For same-day registration, submit your application by 3pm. That’s it – good luck with your new business!
Register your own business from £9.99
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Registered agent
Included with this bundle
A 3 in 1 service that protects your privacy, all other directors privacy and includes our mail forwarding service.
Registered office address:
On the public register, use our address as the business’s registered office address
Service address:
On the public register, use our address as all the directors service address
Mail forwarding:
Quick and efficient mail forwarding and junk mail filtering. No additional handling or postage fees.
Registered agent
Free for 3 months with this bundle
A 3 in 1 service that protects your privacy, all other directors privacy and includes our mail forwarding service.
Registered office address:
On the public register, use our address as the business’s registered office address
Service address:
On the public register, use our address as all the directors service address
Mail forwarding:
Quick and efficient mail forwarding and junk mail filtering. No additional handling or postage fees.
Registered agent
Free for 12 months with this bundle
A 3 in 1 service that protects your privacy, all other directors privacy and includes our mail forwarding service.
Registered office address:
On the public register, use our address as the business’s registered office address
Service address:
On the public register, use our address as all the directors service address
Mail forwarding:
Quick and efficient mail forwarding and junk mail filtering. No additional handling or postage fees.
Legal and finance
Protect your business legally and financially with:
Company credit checks:
Carry out company credit checks powered by Experian's most comprehensive and current credit data to make sure you're doing business with the right people by picking the right customers and securing your supply chain.
Company credit monitoring:
Monitor all your key customers and suppliers credit statuses and get email alerts of any significant changes. Make sure your customers can pay what they owe and your suppliers can deliver the goods they promise.
Debt recovery Toolkit
Manage all your customers' credit in one place. Download and send different payment chasers, reminders and monthly statements to make sure that invoices are paid on time and in full.
You can send a solicitor final warning letters and even take court action to recover what you're owed!
Legal Documents:
Easily create all the legally enforceable contracts, documents, policies and procedures your business could need to sing the simple, straightforward document creator wizard.
Safely store all your documents online, where you can access them wherever and whenever you want.
Legal Health Check:
Complete the simple question-answer form and discover exactly what documents your limited company needs to be legally protected.
24/7 Legal Advice:
Get legal support and advice when you need it. Access an extensive library of legal how-to guides, news bulletins of all the most recent legal developments and a 24/7 telephone support helpline.
Knowledge hub
The Formations Company and Companies House
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How long does it take to register a new company?
When should I change from sole trader to limited company?
Limited Company Vs Sole Trader: Advantages and Disadvantages
