UK Company Formations: The Ultimate Guide to Registration
We are Companies House Approved Corporate Service Provider for Company Formations.
Company Formations:
Forming a limited company in the UK is a significant milestone for any entrepreneur. However, the landscape of UK business registration has changed fundamentally following the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
Registering a company is no longer just about filing a name; it now requires a rigorous focus on transparency, security, and verified identity. As a London-based accountancy firm and an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), we streamline this complex process, ensuring your business is compliant from day one.
1. Understanding UK Company Formations
Company formation is the legal process of incorporating a business. In the UK, this is managed by Companies House. Once incorporated, your business becomes a "legal person" in its own right, separate from the individuals who own or run it.
Why Structure Matters:
Choosing the right structure is the first step in your business journey. The choice you make affects your personal liability, tax obligations, and your ability to raise capital.
- Private Limited Company (LTD): The most common choice. It limits the owners' liability and is tax-efficient for growing businesses.
- Company Limited by Guarantee: Often used by non-profits and charities. It does not have share capital or shareholders.
- Public Limited Company (PLC): Required for businesses that intend to offer shares to the public. It has higher compliance requirements and a minimum share capital of £50,000.
Help you to decide: Check our blog, Sole trader vs Limited company UK. See tax differences, real examples and when a limited company makes sense.
Sole-Trader vs Limited Company
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Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help your business thrive.
Expert Company Formations Services in London
Your Company Formation Checklist
To ensure your registration is processed on the same day, ensure you have the following information ready:
- Proposed Company Name: Must be unique and not "sensitive."
- Registered E-mail Address
- Director Details: Full legal name, date of birth, nationality, and occupation.
- Shareholder Details: Number and value of shares (usually £1 per share).
- PSC Information: Identification of who holds the controlling interest.
- Verified Identity: Ensure all directors have their Companies House Personal Codes or are ready to verify via our ACSP service.
Additional Services:
A legal requirement for every UK company is a Registered Office Address. This must be a physical address in the same part of the UK where your company is registered (e.g., England and Wales).
Registered Virtual office address:
For many start-ups and international entities, using a private residential address is not ideal. It appears on the public register and can invite unsolicited mail.
- Professionalism: A London-based registered office provides instant credibility.
- Privacy: It keeps your home address off the public record.
- Service of Process: We ensure all official mail from Companies House and HMRC is handled promptly.
Virtual Directors Service Address:
A virtual director service address acts as a professional firewall for your personal life. The primary benefit is unrivalled privacy; by using a commercial address on the public register, you keep your home residence hidden from the prying eyes of cold callers, marketers, and data harvesters. Aside from security, it projects a prestigious corporate image, ensuring your professional profile suggests a high-end headquarters rather than a residential suburb. It effectively separates your private identity from your public directorship, ensuring your front door remains for family and friends, not official filings and unexpected visitors.
Why Choose an Accountant for Formation?
While many "agent-only" services offer low-cost formations, they often leave you to handle the complex tax and compliance filings yourself. By choosing a professional accountancy firm for your formation:
- HMRC Registration is Included: We register you for Corporation Tax simultaneously.
- VAT & Payroll Advice: We assess whether you should register for VAT immediately to reclaim setup costs.
- Anti-Fraud Protection: We set up "PROOF" (Protected Online Filing) to prevent unauthorized changes to your company record.
- Ongoing Compliance: We manage your first Confirmation Statement and annual accounts, preventing late filing penalties.
Our fixed fee package includes everything you need legally start your business without any hidden costs.
This includes:
- Registering your company
- Issuing Incorporation Certificate
- Issuing Memorandum of Association
- Issuing Articles of Association
- Issuing Share Certificates
- Registering your company to HMRC
- Free Bank Account
- Identity Verification (If required)
- We set up your company with built-in protection against fraud and unauthorised changes.
- Complimentary payroll and/or VAT registration with your company setup.
Ready to register your company with full compliance?
Contact TAS Accountancy today to speak with an expert about your company formation and identity verification requirements.
Ready to launch your dream company? Discover how to form it the right way in our latest blog UK Company Formations
Identity Verification Requirements for Companies
Why Identity Verification?
Starting 18 November 2025, the UK government has introduced mandatory identity verification for all individuals who own or control a UK company. This is the most significant change to UK company law in decades.
Who Must Verify?
Identity verification is mandatory for:
- All Company Directors: Both new and existing.
- People with Significant Control (PSCs): Anyone who owns more than 25% of the shares or voting rights.
- Relevant Officers of Relevant Legal Entities (RLEs): Corporate shareholders must appoint a verified individual to represent them.
- Individuals Filing on Behalf of a Company: Anyone submitting documents to Companies House.
Key Deadlines for Verification
New Directors
Must verify before the company is incorporated or at the point of appointment.
New PSCs
Must verify within 14 days of being added to the register.
Existing Directors
During a 12-month transition period, triggered by the first Confirmation Statement after 18 Nov 2025.
Existing PSCs
Within a 14-day window starting on the first day of their birth month in 2026.
How the Verification Process Works
There are two primary routes to verify your identity. Understanding the difference is crucial for choosing the most efficient path for your business.
Route A: Direct via GOV.UK One Login
This is a digital-first route. You will need:
- A smartphone with NFC capability.
- The GOV.UK ID Check app.
- A biometric passport or a UK photo driving licence.
- A live "face-match" selfie or video.
Route B: Through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP)
As a regulated accountancy firm, we act as an ACSP. This route is often preferred by:
- Overseas Directors: If you do not have a UK driving licence or a biometric passport, a digital app may struggle to verify you.
- Complex Corporate Structures: We can verify multiple directors and PSCs simultaneously as part of our formation package.
- Busy Professionals: We handle the administrative "heavy lifting," ensuring the 11-character Personal Code is correctly assigned and linked to all your directorships.