What is a Certificate of Incorporation?
When you complete your company formation with Companies House you’ll be sent a certificate of incorporation. This can either be electronic or you can choose to have an official printed one that you could frame and hang at your business premises. This will serve to show that your business is properly and legally formed. Basically, you’re in it for the long haul.
What is a certificate of incorporation?
A certificate of incorporation is a legal document that shows you’ve formed and registered your limited company with Companies House. This is in line with the Companies Act 2006. In essence, it’s your company’s birth certificate.
It shows the name of your company, its registered number and the date it was incorporated. It also shows the type of company you have set up and where your registered office is located. This could be in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Your certificate of incorporation and your business bank account
When you’re opening a business bank account your certificate of incorporation is one of the important documents that you’ll need to take with you. It shows that your business has been set up correctly. It also shows that it’s a legal entity in its own right and that it’s on the public register of companies.
banks have to comply with strict rules and regulations. These are specifically around money laundering. This means they have to carry out a number of checks before they can open a new business bank account. This is why you will need to take identification with you. You’ll also need the documents relating to your company formation. As well as your certificate of incorporation, these include your memorandum and articles of association (together listing out your company directors and their responsibilities) and any share certificates that have been issued.
Online or on paper?
These days most companies are formed online either through a formation agent or via Companies House directly. This means that your certificate of incorporation and the other important documents relating to your company formation are sent to you electronically. Your bank will understand this. While it is a good idea to take a print out of the certificate and other documents, it doesn’t need to be on any specific or official paper.
Getting your certificate of incorporation from The Formations Company
When you choose to register your limited company with The Formations Company, you’ll receive your certificate of incorporation electronically and with some packages, you will also receive a printed version, whichever package you choose:
- You can add a framed version
- Or you can have it printed on Companies House recognised paper to display at your business premises.
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Formation bundles
- £9.99
E-Formation
- Set up a basic Limited Company that’s ready to trade and choose anything else you need as extra.
- £19.99
Essential
- An easy way to set up a company that’s ready to trade. Plus, your official printed certificates.
- £59.99
Entrepreneur
- Your official certificates & company register. Plus, a registered business address, FREE for 3 months.
- £99.99
Super
- Your official documents, and confirmation statement. Plus, a registered business address, FREE for a year.
- £29.99
Starter
- The hassle and risk-free option for getting started and growing your limited company.
- £79.99
Essentials
- Starter plus a comprehensive SME legal documents and credit score build & monitor service.
- £149.99
Pro
- Essentials plus a 24/7 legal advice helpline, and your home address privacy secured.
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What is a company formation agent?
Formation agents perform company registrations in partnership with Companies House. We’re one of the largest, and also the cheapest. We don’t just get your company registered then leave you to it – we use our experience to help you start your business properly. There are plenty of reasons to use a formation agent rather than go directly to Companies House. If you ask us, though, the best thing is that we go through the whole process with you, and get your application submitted securely online. We provide expert advice on the legal hurdles while you incorporate, and recommend good quality solutions that you might need after you’ve formed.
What’s the difference between sole trader and limited company?
Think of it this way: when you form a limited company, you put a protective shield between you and your business. Being a sole trader is the opposite – you have no protection. As a sole trader, you are responsible for any debt you might come into while you’re in business. When you register and become the director of your own limited company, you have less personal responsibility. The benefits are that you can claim back expenses, and add to your salary with dividend payments at the end of the year. For more information, see our Help Centre article about limited companies and sole traders.
How do I register a company?
Easy, we’ll do it for you. Check out our formation bundles to learn more about our different products. They start at £9.99, and go all the way up to our Super bundle. Limited company formation is a straightforward business if you’re as well-versed with the process as we are. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our company formation guides for an introduction and some insider tips.
Why The Formations Company?
We’re dedicated to British business, and love nothing more than seeing new companies flourish. 750,000 UK companies have trusted us to help them register, and we have thousands of happy customers who’ve seen how simple the formations process can be. We’re cheaper than going to Companies House directly, and cost less than most accountants. Our online application is incredibly simple, and if you’ve got all your documents handy it shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to complete. So what are you waiting for? Start your business today.