Publication date: 05.02.2026
Inga Verdes is a UK-based lawyer with extensive experience in corporate, immigration, and international law. She specializes in company formation, residence permit support, business plans, and legal services for international entrepreneurs doing business in the United Kingdom.
Process of registering a Limited Company
The process of registering a Limited Company (Ltd) in the United Kingdom has its own specifics, depending on the type of activity, corporate structure, income amount, and other factors. Entrepreneurs planning to operate as an Ltd or combine business with self-employment are required to complete official registration, as without it the company cannot legally conduct business, open a bank account, enter into contracts, or carry out tax payment to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
Special attention should be given to preparing statutory documents, selecting directors and shareholders, defining the corporate structure, and confirming financial capacity, as all these elements affect the speed and success of the Ltd registration process.
Question
How does the registration of a Limited Company (Ltd) work in the United Kingdom?
Answer
To register a Limited Company (Ltd) in the United Kingdom, it is usually necessary to:
- Prepare the corporate structure and statutory documents
Before submitting documents, you should determine the type of shareholders and directors, prepare the Articles of Association and the memorandum of association, and gather documents confirming the financial capacity of the company and its founder. These documents are key for official registration and obtaining a unique company number. - Choose a company name and check its availability
The company name must comply with Companies House requirements: it should not duplicate existing names, must avoid prohibited words, and be clear for legal and financial authorities. - Submit documents to Companies House
After preparing the corporate structure and documents, they are submitted to Companies House for official registration of the Ltd. During this stage, the following are specified: - founder and director details;
- share allocation among shareholders;
- company registered address;
- type of activity (SIC code);
- share capital.
Confirm financial capacity and income amount
For certain type of activity, Companies House or HMRC may require documents confirming the financial capacity of the founder or projected income amount of the company. This helps confirm the Ltd’s ability to fulfill tax payment obligations and maintain financial discipline.
Obtain an official registration number
After reviewing the submitted documents, Companies House issues a unique registration number for the company, confirming its official registration. At this stage, the company becomes a legal entity, able to enter into contracts, conduct self-employment through its corporate structure, open a bank account, and make tax payment to HMRC.
Process in complex cases
If the submitted documents or corporate structure raise doubts with Companies House or HMRC, additional confirmations or clarifications may be required.
For regulated activities (e.g., finance, healthcare, construction), special licenses or compliance checks may be necessary.
To open a company bank account, the identity of the founder and the Ltd corporate structure must be confirmed.
In case of discrepancies in the founder’s or directors’ details, HMRC may request additional documents to confirm financial capacity.
Important to have:
- Passport or other identification documents of the founder/director;
- proof of the company’s registered address;
- statutory documents and memorandum;
- documents confirming financial capacity;
- information on income amount and planned tax payment to HMRC;
- licenses or permits, if the type of activity is regulated.
Question
What to do in case of problems with Ltd registration?
Answer
If Companies House or HMRC refuses official registration or requests additional documents, it is recommended to consult an accountant or legal advisor specializing in corporate law and self-employment through Ltd.
The consultant can help:
- identify reasons for refusal;
- prepare additional or corrected documents;
- submit re-registration or appeal;
- assist with communication with HMRC and banks for opening a bank account.
Process of registering a Limited Company (Ltd) in the United Kingdom requires careful preparation and compliance with Companies House and HMRC requirements. Timely preparation of documents, opening a bank account, planning tax payment, confirming financial capacity, and defining the type of activity help avoid refusals, delays, and extra costs. Involvement of the founder at every stage of official registration ensures smoother interaction with government authorities, financial institutions, and business partners.
