UK Company Incorporation via Companies House
Incorporate a UK Ltd, LLP or PLC via Companies House online in 1–3 days. Non-UK directors permitted. Director identity verification mandatory from Sept 2026.
What Company Formation includes in the UK
What you receive
How it works
Useful materials
Where to register and how we differ
Company Formation in the UK — frequently asked questions
Yes. UK company law does not require directors to be UK residents or nationals. A sole non-resident director is fully permitted. The only universal requirement is that every director must be a natural person aged 16 or over. From September 2026, all directors must complete identity verification with Companies House under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
Standard online incorporation via Companies House Web Filing takes 1–3 working days. Same-day incorporation is available for an additional £100 fee if the application is submitted before 3pm. Your company number, certificate of incorporation, and Memorandum & Articles of Association are issued digitally. A registered office address in England, Wales, or Scotland is required at the point of filing.
Yes. All UK companies are recorded on the Companies House public register, which discloses the company's name, registered number, registered address, list of directors, and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs — beneficial owners of 25%+ shares or voting rights). Annual accounts and confirmation statements are also publicly available. This transparency is a feature, not a drawback, for banks and institutional counterparties.
Under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, from September 2026 all new and existing directors, secretaries, and PSCs must verify their identity directly with Companies House or via an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP). Verification requires a government-issued photo ID. Failure to verify will result in civil penalties and may restrict the company's ability to file documents.
A UK Ltd must file an annual Confirmation Statement (form CS01, £34 fee) confirming or updating company details, and annual statutory accounts with Companies House — 9 months after the accounting reference date for private companies. The CT600 Corporation Tax return goes to HMRC within 12 months of the year-end. Failure to file on time triggers automatic penalties starting at £150.