Post Company Formation

What company formation documents will I receive?

When Companies House approves your application to incorporate, you will receive an email with digital copies of your company formation documents. Depending on your company type, these will include the certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles of association or a draft LLP agreement, and share or guarantor certificates for each member. Paper copies (if applicable) will be posted to you within 24 hours.

Where should I keep my company documents?

Your company documents are incredibly important and you will need to use them on a number of occasions after setting up your company. Hard copies should be securely stored at your registered office (or SAIL address, if you have one), and you should always keep digital copies as a backup.

Can I make changes to my company after incorporation?

You can make changes to your company after incorporation, but you are legally required to report all changes to Companies House (and sometimes to HMRC) as soon as possible. Most changes can be carried out and reported free of charge online, via our Online Admin Portal or Companies House online service.

Please note that most changes can be authorised by directors, but some may require the approval of members. Always check the articles of association beforehand.

What changes do I need to report to Companies House?

You have a legal obligation to report certain changes to Companies House, including:

• changing your company name
• using a new registered office or Single Alternative Inspection Location (SAIL) address
• appointing or removing directors and company secretaries, or changing the details of existing ones
• changes to PSC information
• issuing new shares or transferring existing ones
• changing the accounting reference date (ARD)

Most of the changes you report to Companies House will be updated on public record.

Do I need to report any changes to HMRC?

Some changes to your company must be reported to HMRC, including a new company name or trading address, the appointment of an accountant or tax advisor, any changes related to tax (e.g., Corporation Tax, PAYE, VAT, Self Assessment), and the closure of your company.

How much does it cost to change company details?

Most changes to company details are free of charge, whether carried out and reported through our Online Client Portal or Companies House online service. However, it costs £8 to change a company name online, or £10 by post.

Can I transfer shares or issue new shares after company formation?

After company formation, you are permitted to transfer shares or increase your company's share capital by issuing more shares. These actions will require prior approval from either the directors or members, depending on what is stated in the articles of association, and you must inform Companies House when any such changes take place.

How do I close my company?

The way in which you close a company depends on whether or not it can pay its bills. If the company is solvent, you can apply to Companies House to have it struck off the register, or you can start a members' voluntary liquidation. If the company is insolvent (bankrupt), you can close it by applying for a creditors' voluntary liquidation or compulsory liquidation.

Do I have to display my company name anywhere?

Unless your company has been dormant since its incorporation, you have a legal obligation to display the company name at the registered office, any other location where the business operates (with the exception of private residences), and all official documents and stationery (including letters, emails, websites, invoices, and promotional material).

Do I need a business bank account for my company?

Legally, you do not need a business bank account for your company, but it is recommended, especially if the company has more than one director and member. It simply makes it easier to manage finances, whereas using a personal bank account for business transactions can cause confusion and lead to accounting oversights and errors.

What company information made available to the public?

Most of the company information you register and file at Companies House is made available to the public online via the central register. This includes:

• the company name and registration number
• date and jurisdiction of incorporation
• details of the registered office
• articles of association
• SIC codes (what the company does/sells)
• details of directors, secretaries, members, and PSCs
• details of issued and transferred shares
• annual accounts and confirmation statements
• changes made to company details
• filing deadlines

• late filing notices and penalties that have been issued

It is important that this information is accurate, which is why companies are required to submit a confirmation statement each year to verify the accuracy of the details held by Companies House.

What personal details are available on the public register of companies?

Certain personal details of directors, company secretaries, subscribers (founding members), company members, LLP members, and PSCs are available to view on the public register of companies. Depending on your role, this may include your name, service address, month and year of birth, country/state of residence, nationality, shareholdings or guarantee amount, and the nature of control you have in the company.