Companies House Registration: Your Company Formation Checklist

1st December 2025

Starting a business is an exciting step, but the administrative process of registering a company can feel daunting, especially for first time founders. Many new founders are confident in their business idea yet feel uncertain when faced with the responsibility of making the right structural choices from the outset.

Luckily, 99p Company Formations have helped countless businesses with the registration process, so we know exactly what you need to get started.

Why you need to register with Companies House

Registering with Companies House is a mandatory requirement for certain types of business structure due to their operational requirements. Not every business in the UK needs to register with Companies House, but certain business structures must do so by law.

1. Limited Companies (Ltd)

Any business wishing to operate as a private company limited by shares or a private company limited by guarantee must register with Companies House.

Why?

• Limited companies create a separate legal entity, which requires official registration.

• Incorporation defines the company’s structure, shareholdings, and legal responsibilities.

• Directors and shareholders gain limited liability protection only once the company is officially registered.

2. Public Limited Companies (PLC)

PLCs, which can offer shares to the public, must also register with Companies House and meet additional regulatory requirements, including higher minimum share capital.

Why?

• These companies operate with public investment, which requires a robust regulatory framework.

• Registration ensures transparency around financial and management information.

3. Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP)

LLPs are commonly used by professional service firms such as accountants, consultants, and solicitors. All LLPs must register with Companies House.

Why?

• LLP members (partners) need liability protection similar to shareholders in an Ltd company.

• Registration formalises the LLP agreement, responsibilities, and profit sharing arrangements.

4. Overseas companies operating in the UK

Foreign companies with a UK branch or place of business must register their UK establishment with Companies House.

Why?

• To ensure UK regulators have oversight of foreign based legal entities trading within the country.

• To make key ownership and management information available to UK authorities.

Why Some Businesses Choose to Register Voluntarily

Although not legally required, many sole traders and small partnerships choose to incorporate for reasons such as:

• Better credibility with clients and suppliers

• Easier access to business banking and finance

• Business name protection

• Potential tax efficiency

• Clearer separation between personal and business activities
  
  

Businesses that don’t need to register with companies house

Sole Traders

Sole traders are not required to register with Companies House. Instead, they must register with HMRC for self assessment.

General Partnerships

Traditional partnerships (without limited liability status) also do not register with Companies House.Partners register individually with HMRC.

When is the right time to register with Companies House? 

The timing of your company registration impacts administration, tax obligations, banking, and how soon you can begin trading.

 

Consider registering when:

• You have selected a trading name and want to secure it legally

• You are ready (or close to being ready) to begin trading

• You require a business bank account

• You are formalising arrangements with partners and investors

• You need a formal structure to enter contracts or supply agreements

When you may wish to wait:

Delaying registration can be sensible if:

• You are still refining your business concept

• You have not finalised your company officers or ownership structure

• You are unsure of your trading name

• You will not begin trading for a significant period

That said, you may register early simply to secure the company name or prepare for operational setup.

What you need to register with Companies House

Below is a detailed checklist covering all required information for Companies House registration:

A Name

Before you register with Companies House, you need to be certain of your business name. Although it is possible to change your name at a later date, it can confuse the process, and any changes to your details incur an administration fee.

Your Company Structure

Most new businesses register as a Private Company Limited by Shares (Ltd). This structure is appropriate when the company aims to operate as a commercial business and distribute profits to shareholders.

Non profit or membership based organisations may instead choose a Private Company Limited by Guarantee, which has no share capital and no shareholders.

Before registering, this information must be set in stone.

Director’s Details

Every limited company must appoint at least one director. Directors are legally responsible for running the company. There is no requirement for directors to be UK residents, but they must be at least 16 years old.

Companies House requires the following details for each director:

• Full legal name

• Any former names

• Date of birth

• Nationality

• Occupation (optional but common)

• Service address (public)

• Residential address (not publicly displayed unless used as the service address)

• Country of residence

Shareholder Details

A company limited by shares must have at least one shareholder. A director can also be a shareholder, though these roles are distinct.

For directors who are also shareholders

You must list:

• Full name

• Date of birth

• Residential address

• Service address

• Nationality

• Three security details

• The number of shares they hold

• The class of shares (e.g., ordinary shares)

• The nominal value of each share

• The amount paid or unpaid on the shares

• Voting rights associated with their shares

For shareholders who are not directors:

For shareholders who are not part of the management team, Companies House requires:

• Full name or corporate entity name

• Date of birth

• Residential address

• Service address

• Nationality

• Three security details

• Number and type of shares held

• Percentage of ownership

• Statement of capital confirming share distribution

Company Secretary Details

Private limited companies are not legally required to appoint a company secretary, but many still choose to do so for administrative or governance purposes.

If you decide to appoint a secretary, Companies House requires:

• Full name

• Date of birth

• Residential address

• Service address

• Nationality

• Occupation

Registered Office Address

Your registered office address appears on the public register. If privacy is a concern, many business owners use a professional registered office service. Companies House will send all correspondence to this address.

Your registered office must:

• Be a physical address (not a PO box)

• Be located in the country where the company is registered (e.g., England & Wales)

• Be accessible for delivery of statutory mail

Your SIC Code

A Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code identifies the nature of your business.
Companies House requires at least one code but allows several if your activities are broader.

What are irredeemable shares?

All limited companies must have one irredeemable share class. This is required at the time of incorporation. Irredeemable shares are shares that cannot be bought back by the company at any point in the future. Once issued, they remain part of the company’s permanent share capital unless they are transferred or sold by the shareholder to another party.

Unlike redeemable shares, which can be repurchased by the company subject to specific conditions, irredeemable shares provide no mechanism for the company itself to cancel or reclaim them.

Common mistakes during a Companies House registration

Avoiding common errors can save time and prevent unnecessary amendments at a later date. Here are some common mistakes that we see in Companies House registrations:

1. Using a home address

Because this becomes publicly visible, many business owners choose a service address instead. This might not seem like a mistake, and some business owners do feel comfortable registering to their home address, but you should always consider whether you want your home address shown publicly to be a major decision before registration.

2. Incorrect SIC codes

An inaccurate SIC code can cause issues with banks, insurers, or industry regulators. Always check that your code is correct. It can be helpful to have another pair of eyes to double check the information and look over your application before you submit.

3. Misunderstanding the difference between directors and shareholders

Directors manage the company; shareholders own it. One person can do both, but they are separate legal roles and must be registered as such.

4. Spelling errors in the company name

These require reregistration to correct, so careful review is essential.

5. Issuing only one share

Issuing more shares (e.g., 100) provides flexibility for future changes in ownership. If you are uncertain about share agreements or shareholding is out of your area of expertise, then you should always hire an expert to make sure that the business is set up in the most effective manner.

6. Registering before roles or share allocations are agreed

This can result in administrative changes shortly after incorporation, which may incur additional steps.

What happens after your company is registered? 

Once Companies House approves your application:

1. You receive incorporation documents, including:

• Certificate of Incorporation

• Memorandum of Association

• Articles of Association

• Share certificates (if using a formation agent)

2. Your company is added to the public register

Key details such as directors, registered office, and PSCs become publicly available.

3. You will receive your Company Authentication Code

This is used for filing future documents online (e.g., annual confirmation statements).

4. HMRC is notified automatically

HMRC records your company for corporation tax purposes and may contact you for additional information.

5. You can open a business bank account

Most banks require your Certificate of Incorporation and shareholder details.

6. Statutory obligations begin, including:

• Filing a Confirmation Statement annually

• Preparing and submitting annual accounts

• Maintaining statutory registers (directors, shareholders, PSCs, etc.)

Ready to register your company?

With clear preparation and the right information, registering with Companies House is a straightforward process. If you prefer a simplified, supported experience, 99p Company Formations offers fast, affordable incorporation services with optional add ons to help your business stay compliant from day one.

We offer full registration services that help you begin trading without the administrative hassle. Call us today to get started.