What you need for online LTD company registration in the UK

TL;DR

You can register a UK limited company online with Companies House.

You’ll need: a unique company name, a UK registered office address, at least one director and shareholder, a SIC code, details of shares and PSCs, and payment for the fee.

From 2024, identity verification is required for all directors and PSCs.

Using a formation agent or digital bank (GoSolo, Tide, etc.) can save time if you want extras like a business bank account or virtual address.

1. A unique company name

Your company name is the first thing people see — and Companies House won’t allow duplicates or confusingly similar names.

• Must be available on the Companies House register.
• Cannot be too similar to existing company names or trademarks.
• Avoid restricted or sensitive words without permission (e.g. “Royal”, “Bank”).

Check availability:

• Companies House name checker
• UK trademark search

Why this matters:
If your name clashes with another business, your application will be rejected. Even worse, if it infringes a trademark, you could face legal action.

💡Pro tip:
Secure the matching domain name (e.g. mycompany.co.uk) at the same time — it makes branding easier and avoids disputes.

2. A UK registered office address

The registered office is your company’s official address — it’s where Companies House and HMRC will send all official correspondence.

• Must be a real UK street address (not a PO Box).
• This address is on public record and visible to anyone online.
• Can be a virtual business address if you don’t want to use your home.

Examples: Hoxton Mix, Virtually There.

⚖️ Legal requirement
Every UK company must have a registered office address in the UK.

Why this matters:
Without a valid UK address, your company cannot legally exist. Using your home address means it will appear online permanently.

💡Pro tip:
If you’re a non-resident, pick a provider that also works with banks — some banks don’t accept every virtual address provider.

3. At least one director and one shareholder

Your company needs people to run it (directors) and own it (shareholders). In many small businesses, this is the same person.

• A director is legally responsible for the company. Must be a real person (aged 16+).
• A shareholder owns shares in the company. Can be the same person as the director.
• You must also declare the PSC (Person with Significant Control) — usually the main shareholder.

⚖️ Legal requirement
At least one director, one shareholder, one PSC, and one share issued are mandatory.

Why this matters:
Companies House will not accept an application without all four roles filled. Forgetting to declare a PSC is a criminal offence.

💡Pro tip:
For first-time founders, keep it simple: one person acting as director, shareholder, and PSC with one £1 share.

4. Share capital and structure

Every limited company must issue shares.

• Declare the number of shares and their value.
• Most new companies issue 1–100 ordinary £1 shares.
• Different classes of shares (e.g. preference shares) are only needed if you plan to bring in investors or co-founders.

Why this matters:
Your share structure defines ownership and control. If you plan to add partners or investors later, shares are how you do it.

💡Pro tip:
Don’t overcomplicate things at the start. You can always issue more shares later.

5. A SIC code (business activity)

SIC = Standard Industrial Classification code. It tells Companies House what your company does.

• You must choose at least one SIC code when registering.
• You can select multiple if your business covers more than one activity.
• Find your SIC code.

Why this matters:
It determines how your company is classified in official statistics and may affect which licences or schemes you qualify for.

💡Pro tip:
Don’t worry if none matches perfectly — pick the closest. You can update later if your business changes.

6. PSC (Person with Significant Control) details

A PSC is anyone who owns more than 25% of shares or voting rights.

• You must provide their name, DOB, nationality, service address, and nature of control.
  
• This is recorded in the PSC register and published on Companies House.
  

⚖️ Legal requirement
Failing to keep your PSC register updated is a criminal offence.

Why this matters:
Transparency — the PSC register helps prevent fraud and money laundering. If you don’t update it, you could face fines or prosecution.

7. Identity verification (new rules)

From 2024, all directors, PSCs, and people filing on behalf of a company must complete ID verification with Companies House.

• Verification is online using photo ID + selfie check.
  
• Accepted documents: passport, driving licence, or equivalent ID.
  
• Without verification, the company cannot be registered.
  

Read more: Companies House ID verification guide (FirstAML).

Why this matters:
This is part of the new Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act — to stop criminals using fake companies.

💡Pro tip:
Have your ID ready before starting the application. Non-residents should expect extra checks and sometimes longer processing times.

8. Payment for the fee

• Filing online with Companies House costs £50.
• Payment can be made by debit/credit card or PayPal.
• Formation agents charge £50–£150 but often include extras (registered office, bank referrals, tax registration).
  

Why this matters:
The low cost makes direct filing attractive, but if you’re new, a formation agent or bank bundle can save you admin headaches.

💡Pro tip:
Digital banks like GoSolo and Tide let you register a company, open a business account, and get a registered office address in one package — a time-saving option for new entrepreneurs.

Summary: Checklist for online registration

Before you start, make sure you have:

• Unique company name (checked on Companies House + trademarks)
• UK registered office address (or virtual office)
• At least one director and shareholder (can be the same person)
• PSC information ready
• Share capital details (e.g. 1 ordinary share at £1)
• Chosen SIC code
• ID documents (passport, driving licence, proof of address)
• £50 filing fee (or funds for formation agent)

FAQ