Business Name Registration, UK: How to Go about It

If you’re looking to start a limited company in the UK, you’ll need to register a business name with Companies House. Having a registered business name will show potential customers and investors that you are a legitimate operator.

Follow these simple steps to register a business name in the UK.

1. Run a Business Name Check

Before you register a business name with Companies House in the UK, you need to be sure it hasn’t already been taken and that it can’t be easily confused with the name of an existing business. Consider:

• Choosing a name that helps explain what your business does
• Avoiding business names that are difficult to spell
• Whether the name will work well in a web address
• Including a high-value Google search term that you might want to bid on through pay-per-click advertising

Got a name in mind? With our free online search tool, you can check whether your company name is available with Companies House.

2. Get On the Business Register (UK)

Once you’ve chosen your business name, it’s time to register it with Companies House. This process is known as ‘incorporation’.

In addition to registering your business name, you’ll need to complete a few standard legal documents:

• Memorandum of Association – includes your business name, address and the type of business
• Articles of Association – spells out your rights as the director of the company and the rights of any shareholders.

If you don’t have a separate address for your business, you should use your home address to register your company. 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.

3. Register Your Business for VAT in the UK

You should do this if your annual turnover is more than £85,000. It’s something that an accountant can help you with.

4. Register Your Business for Corporation Tax

Make sure to do this in your first three months of trading or you could have to pay a fine. HMRC will send you the information you need once your business is listed with Companies House. As well as your tax reference number, they will let you know the deadline for filing your annual return.

5. Register your Business as an Employer

You must do this even if the only person you’ll be paying is yourself in your capacity as a company director.

6. Set Up a Business Bank Account

Some banks will want to see the documents you provided to Companies House and even a business plan before they’ll give you an account. Don’t forget to check what fees they charge for standard business services like setting up a standing order or clearing a cheque.

If you don’t have time to shop around, we can save you the hassle and help you set up a business bank account. We have a special relationship with Barclays which means you’ll get a range of great benefits with a Barclays Bank Business Account for Start-ups:

• Free business banking for 12 months (terms and conditions apply)
• Loyalty rewards – the longer you bank, the more money you get back
• Support and guidance from the Barclays Business Banking telephone team
• Manage your account online, by phone, via the Barclays Mobile Banking app or in branch

Find out more and sign up today

Register your own business from £9.99

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