How to register a UK limited company: step by step (2026)
The quick answer: you can register a UK limited company yourself at Companies House in about 10 minutes for a small filing fee (currently £50 online) — or get it done for free when you open a business account with a provider that bundles formation.
Before you start
Make sure a limited company is actually the right structure for you. If you’re earning modestly and want to keep things simple, sole trader may leave you better off — our sole trader vs limited company guide and calculator settle it with real numbers.
What you’ll need
- A company name that’s available and not too similar to an existing one
- A registered office address (this becomes public — you can use your home or a service address)
- At least one director and one shareholder (can be the same person)
- Details of shares and people with significant control (PSC)
- A SIC code describing what your business does
The steps
1. Check your name is free
Search the Companies House register to confirm your name is available. Our free planner includes a name check to save you a step.
2. Sort your registered office
Remember it’s published on the public register. If you’d rather not list your home, use a registered office / service address.
3. Register
File online with Companies House for the £50 fee, or use a provider that forms the company free when you open an account. Approval is often same-day.
4. Set up banking and accounting
Open a business account (keep company money separate from day one) and connect accounting software so filings and tax are painless later.
Doing it for free
Providers like Tide, Revolut and ANNA cover the formation fee when you open an account — see our free formation comparison. We may earn a referral fee if you sign up; it never changes what we recommend.
Some links on this page are referral links: if you sign up with a partner we may earn a fee at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend or the order we list it, and where the best option is free we say so. Provider details (fees, features, eligibility) change — always confirm current terms on the provider’s own site. This article is information, not financial advice.