Company Formation Process

What details are required to set up a limited company?

To set up a limited company, you must provide a company name, registered office address, details of business activities, and details of all directors, members, people with significant control, and the company secretary (if you choose to have one).

Please visit our Information Required page for full details.

Why do I need a registered office address?

Every limited company is legally required to have a registered office address, which serves as the company's official contact address. Statutory correspondence is delivered there; the address is displayed on public record; and the company's statutory books must be stored there for inspection purposes, unless you use a Single Alternative Inspection Location (SAIL) address.

How long does it take to form a company?

If you form a company through Rapid Formations, the online application takes around 5 minutes to complete. Thereafter, it typically takes Companies House 3-6 business hours to approve the application (subject to workload).

As an authorised Companies House e-filing partner, our services reduce the administrative burden placed on the registrar, resulting in the most efficient company formation process.

Why does my company have to be registered with Companies House?

Companies House is the official registrar of companies in the UK. By law, all companies must be incorporated (registered) with Companies House.

Once incorporated, details of your company will be displayed on public record and you will be legally required to comply with a range of reporting and filing obligations.

Do I need to be present during the company formation process?

The entire company formation process can be completed online, from anywhere in the world. There is no need to physically visit our office or be present at Companies House.

Do I have to be a UK resident to form a company?

There is no requirement to be a UK resident or citizen to form a limited company in the UK, nor is there any need to be present in the UK at any point.

By law, however, your company must have a registered office address in the UK jurisdiction where it is incorporated (i.e., England & Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.)

How and when do I receive my new company documents?

When Companies House has approved your company incorporation, you will receive an email with electronic copies of the certificate of incorporation, memorandum of association, articles of association, and share certificates.

Printed and bound copies of these important company documents will be posted to you within 24 hours of incorporation (if applicable).

How much will it cost to form a company?

It costs as little as £12.99 (+VAT) to form a company online through Rapid Formations. This price includes the £12.00 filing fee charged by Companies House.

There are no hidden or additional costs to register a ready-to-trade limited company with us.

What are the memorandum and articles of association?

The memorandum of association is essentially an agreement of the founding members to form and become members of the company. The articles of association sets out the rules for running the company.

These two documents are a legal requirement of UK company formation and they will be displayed on the public register at Companies House.

Can I upload my own memorandum and articles of association?

The memorandum is created automatically by Companies House during the incorporation process, so there is no scope to provide/upload your own.

The articles of association used by most companies are the standard 'model' articles, which we provide with our company formation packages. However, you can customise the model articles or create your own, if required.

Please call our support team on 020 7871 9990 if you would like to use your own articles. We will provide a link to our company formation package that allows for additional customisation, including uploading your own documents and issuing multiple share classes.

Do I have to pay additional fees to Companies House?

There are no additional fees to pay to Companies House if you register a company through Rapid Formations. The £12.00 statutory filing fee charged by Companies House is included in the cost of our incorporation packages - the prices we advertise are the prices you pay; there are no hidden costs.

What happens if my application is rejected by Companies House?

In the unlikely event that your company formation application is rejected by Companies House, we can quickly and easily rectify the issue and resubmit your online application for no additional charge, usually on the same day.

The most common reasons for rejection are unsuitable company names and incorrect or incomplete information on the form. Our client support team reviews every application before submission, so rejections are rare, and we are on hand throughout the entire process to provide advice and assistance.

When can I start trading through my new company?

You can start trading through your new company as soon as your application is approved by Companies House and you receive your incorporation documents, which is typically 3-6 business hours after the application is submitted online.

Is it better to set up a company through a formation agent or Companies House?

It’s quicker and more straightforward to set up a company through a formation agent, rather than directly at Companies House. You will benefit from expert advice and assistance from professional agents, in addition to a thorough pre-submission review that greatly reduces the risk of rejection at Companies House. In most cases, companies are incorporated in just a few hours.