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Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining a Certificate of Incorporation from Companies House

Company Formation
Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining a Certificate of Incorporation from Companies House

In the UK, starting a business is a very interesting adventure, and one of the foremost steps in the establishment of the business: acquiring the Certificate of Incorporation. This is the legal proof, issued by Companies House, that actually records your business with the fact that it is registered as a legal entity.

What is a Certificate of Incorporation?

A Certificate of Incorporation is essentially an authentication document that serves as proof of incorporation that can be conferred by Companies House when a company is officially registered. This document essentially certifies the legitimate formation of your business and includes other vital features such as the following: 

  1. Company name 
  2. Company registration number (CRN)
  3. Date of incorporation 
  4. Company type (e.g., private limited company) 
  5. Country of registration (e.g., England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland)

Why Do You Need a Certificate of Incorporation?

We will mention here for some of the main reasons why the certificate of Corporation is essential for the company.

  1. Legal Requirement: It shows the legal existence of your company.
  2. Opening a Business Bank Account: It’s required to open up a company account by banks.
  3. Applying for Business Loans or Grants: Evidence of registration is provided.
  4. Entering into Contracts: Some clients and suppliers request it.
  5. Tax Registration: Required for VAT and Corporation Tax registration to HMRC.

Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining a Certificate of Incorporation

We will guide Step By Step here how the Certificate of Corporation is obtained

Step 1: Decide on Your Business Structure

If you want to register your company and get a Certificate of Corporation you have to make your business structure right.

  1. Private Limited Company: The business is a legal entity in its own right and has limited liability to its owners. 
  2. Public Limited Company: A form of limited company but which allows selling shares to the public and requires more capital investment.
  3. Limited Liability Partnership: It is a limited liability partnership.
  4. Sole Trader or Partnership: Unincorporated, not warranting a certificate.

Most businesses choose to incorporate as a Private Limited Company (Ltd) since it offers limited liability protection.

Step 2: Choose a Unique Company Name

Your company’s name should be unique so that it does not include any limited words and you should follow the following instructions:

  1. Confirm the name with the Companies House Name Availability Checker.
  2. Ascertain that the name does not include the restricted words without permission.
  3. For a private limited company, the name should end with “Limited” or “Ltd”.

Step 3: Prepare the Required Documents

If you want to register your company, it must be required to the following documents.

  1. Memorandum of Association: A legal statement executed by all the original shareholders agreeing to form the company.
  2. Articles of Association: the internal rules and regulations of the company.
  3. Form IN01: Contains company details such as name, address, director(s), and shareholder(s).

Step 4: Register with Companies House

If you want to register your company with the Company House, these three ways of registering you must know:

  1. While online

Go to the Companies House website.

Register via online incorporation service.

Submit £12 payment (the standard service usually takes under 24 hours to process).

  1. By Post

Fill in Form IN01 and send it to Companies House.

Pay a £40 fee (may take up to 8-10 days).

  1. Through an Agent

Let a company formation service carry out the whole process on your behalf.

Step 5: Provide Company Details

It is very important for these few points to be known during registration.

  1. Registered Office Address: An official company address in the UK which may include home address or the virtual office.
  2. Company Directors: Minimum requirement of one director.
  3. Shareholders and Share Capital: Minimum of one shareholder; details of shares to be provided.
  4. Persons with Significant Control (PSC): Individuals who own/ control more than 25% of shares.

Step 6: Receive Your Certificate of Incorporation

Once Companies House accepts your application, the Certificate of Incorporation will be given. If you register online, it will be mailed to your email address; if you register by post, it will come in printed format.

Step 7: What to Do After Incorporation

  1. Three months to Register for Corporation Tax with HMRC
  2. Open a Business Bank Account using your certificate 
  3. Register for VAT in case your turnover exceeds £85,000 
  4. Annual Filing Requirements (Confirmation Statement and Annual Accounts) Compliance.

How to Register Your Company in the UK through a Company Formation Agent

Company incorporation agents are service providers that specialize in third party assistance in registration of companies through making the process smooth and fast. In case you don’t know how to file for the incorporation certificate, here are the different ways to obtain a certificate of incorporation using an agent.

Step 1: Choose a Reputable Company Formation Agent

There are many such companies, for example:

  1. 1st Formations
  2. Rapid Formations
  3. The Formations Company
  4. Companies Made Simple
  5. Ensure the agent is officially recognised by Companies House and, also, gets good customer reviews.

Step 2: Choose a Formation Package

Agents’ package offerings vary from one another. The basic package offers generally consist:

  1. Company registration with Companies House
  2. Certificate of Incorporation
  3. Digital copies of company documents
  4. Registered office address (optional)
  5. VAT registration (optional)

Step 3: Provide Business Information

The agent may require the following information:

  1. Company name
  2. Business activity (SIC Code)
  3. Director and shareholder details
  4. Registered office address
  5. Articles of Association (standard templates most often provided)

Step 4: Pay the Service Fee

The fees charged by formation agents differ relative to their service levels. A basic package usually costs around £20 to £100 while for packages with other services like VAT registration and business bank account, the charge would be higher.

Step 5: Wait for Registration Approval

Most formation agents usually take a couple of hours or up to 24 hours to process your registration. After approval of your application by Companies House, the agent sends your certificate of incorporation through e-mail or post.

Step 6: Soon Ready for Business

After collecting your Certificate of Incorporation, you can:

  1. Open a business bank account
  2. Register for VAT if applicable
  3. Set up business insurance
  4. Start trading legally under your registered name.

Conclusion

With the correct steps, getting a certificate for incorporation is easy. Whether you apply online, via the post, or engage an agent, this document is vital for running your business legally in the UK. Complete all post-incorporation steps to ensure compliance with UK laws and set your business for success. If you need a truly professional environment to work in for expanding businesses, check availability of serviced offices at the Liscard Business Centre.

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