A Beginners Guide to Companies House: Registering your UK Company

If you’re looking to register a company in the UK, you’ll need to go through Companies House. This article provides insights into what Companies House is, how it operates, and why you may need it.

What is Companies House?

Companies House is the official registrar of companies in the UK. It is a government sector within the Department of Business and Trade.

Simply put, Companies House provides three main services:

1. Incorporating and dissolving limited companies
2. Maintain and manage information according to the Companies Act legislation
3. Making company information public through an online search tool

Does this mean my information will be public?

In short, yes. Companies House exists to promote transparency by making internal information of every limited company available for public inspection.

What information is available on Companies House?

Below are some information that you can find regarding a company that is registered on Companies House:

• Registered office address - this includes old addresses
• Company status – e.g. “active” or “dissolved” or “liquidation”
• Nature of business
• Date of incorporation
• Directors – This includes the director's full name, company role, date of birth, nationality, country of residence, occupation, correspondence address, and company role
• Filing history
• Mortgage charge data

Using Virtual Office Address as Your Registered Address

Why do we refrain from disclosing our home address? Simply put, it’s a matter of privacy and confidentiality. This is why you should not use your home address on Companies House.

If you’re a start-up on a small budget, a virtual office is a great solution.

With a virtual office, you have the option to use this address as your business address, not only on Companies House, but also on your website, invoices, and email communications. This choice allows you to protect your home address while maintaining a professional business business image.

Types of businesses that are registered with Companies House

Companies House registers a wide range of businesses here in the UK. Here are some popular ones:

• Private limited company by share
• Public Limited company (PLC)
• Private unlimited company
• Unlimited Companies
• Companies Limited by Guarantee

Ready to Register? Here’s what you need to prepare:

Companies House has offices in London, Belfast, and Edinburgh. You can register by post using an IN01 form. This will cost you £40. The cheaper, and quite frankly, faster option is to register online. You can complete this process directly on the government website or through an authorised agent.

Company Formation service provided by London Virtual Address

When it comes to registering your company, we’ve got you covered, so you don’t have to worry about legal complexities.

At London Virtual Address, we provide a streamlined solution to registering your company without the hassle. Our comprehensive company formation service is designed for simplicity and efficiency. Just give us some basic information and our team of experts will take care of the rest. We’ll walk you through each step of the process, ensuring your company is registered promptly without any delay.

Click here to register your limited company

Do companies get rejected?

Registering your company is quite easy. However, there are occasions when Companies House will reject your application. The reasons include:

• Company name is already taken or similar to match to another company
• The company name is considered inappropriate or offensive
• If you missed giving important information
• Incorrect share structure

We advise you to take your time and review your application before submission.

What files are you required to document with Companies House?

• Statutory accounts
• Annual accounts
• Confirmation statement
• Change of address notification

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to form a limited company?
Forming a company in the UK online usually takes 24-48 hours. Postal applications can take up to 8-10 days.

Can the Registered Office Address and the Director’s Correspondence Address be the same?
You can use the same address for both the Registered Office Address and the Director’s address. 

Will Sole Traders be visible on Companies House?
Sole traders will not be visible on Companies House. They are a separate type of company. 

What is a Virtual Office? 
A virtual office also known as a virtual address, is a business address available for monthly or yearly rental. This service primarily caters to new startups with limited budgets who cannot afford traditional physical office space. The key distinction between a virtual office and a physical office is that you are not physically located a the virtual office address. 

Can I use a Virtual Office as my business address on Companies House?
Yes, you are allowed to use a Virtual Office as your Registered Office Address on Companies House. Many businesses especially start-ups and those that operate remotely, choose virtual office addresses for their convenience and professional image.