1. Company Name
2. Select Package
3. Checkout
4. Company Details
Digital
Privacy
Professional
Prestige
All Inclusive
Limited Company
Limited Company
Your new company will usually be formed within 3 to 6 working hours; however, this timescale is subject to Companies House workload and it may take longer. If it is of great importance that your company is incorporated as soon as possible or on the same day, we always recommend you add the Guaranteed Same Day Service to your order.
Once your new company has been approved by Companies House, you can start trading immediately.
Companies House
£12.00 Filing Fee Included
Companies House £12.00 Filing Fee Included
Companies House charge a £12.00 filing fee for company incorporation. This is included in the package price, so what you see is what you pay - there are no hidden costs.
Free Business
Bank Account
Free Business Bank Account
Add a business bank account to one of our packages and get up to 12 months’ of free business banking.
Complete a simple online application form for your chosen bank and we will prepare your application and send it directly to your bank, as part of your order. Our current banking partners are:
Barclays: 12 months’ of free business banking.
NatWest: Bank whenever it suits you, using simple online and App banking.
Mettle: Add receipts to transactions via an App.
Cashplus: No credit checks, with Mastercard Business card.
Tide: Comes with accounting and invoicing integration via an App.
Monzo: Free UK bank transfers, instant spending notifications, Pots for separating your money, and more.
ANNA: Create and chase invoices, and calculate your tax owed to HMRC via this cutting-edge online banking solution.
Please note: This offer is only available to companies with UK resident directors and shareholders. Companies with overseas directors and shareholders are not eligible for this offer.
Free Online
Company Manager
Free Online
Company Manager
Our Online Company Manager system allows you to take full control of your company details from one central login:
- Receive e-mail reminders of key filing dates to avoid missing deadlines and incurring penalties.
- Make changes to company officer details, addresses, change accounting dates and file confirmation statements online.
- Form new companies without having to re-enter all the same information each time.
- Import existing companies, and control all of your companies in one place.
- View and download your company documents easily.
- View and download your official government and business mail.
- Purchase additional products and services from the Shop.
- Manage your payment cards.
- Renew your annual subscription services.
Free .com or .co.uk
Domain Name
Free .com or .co.uk
Domain Name
We have partnered with one of the UK’s leading domain name providers to offer you a free .com or .co.uk domain name for 1 year, and help establish the online presence of your new business.
How it works: As soon as your company is approved by Companies House, we will send you an order fulfilled email, which will include your exclusive voucher and a link to the Names.co.uk website. You should proceed to order your .com or .co.uk domain name and apply the voucher code at checkout. This code will expire in 30 days, so take advantage of the offer and get your .com or .co.uk domain name now.
Please note: The price of a co.uk domain will be £0.00 (Ex VAT) when registered with names.co.uk for 1 year using the voucher code supplied. Discounts apply for the first billing period only and do not apply to renewals. Offer must be redeemed within 30 days and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. This offer may be withdrawn at any time at the discretion of Namesco Limited. Standard terms & conditions apply. Limited to 1 per customer.
Email Copy of Certificate of
Incorporation, Mem & Arts and
Share Certificate(s)
Email Copy of your Company Documents
As soon as your company is registered at Companies House we will deliver a full set of company documents to you by email, including:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Memorandum & Articles of Association
- Share Certificate(s)
- WebFiling Authentication Code (required to use Companies House WebFiling system)
Email Copy of Company
Register with First Entries
Email Copy of Company Register with First Entries
A digital version of your company’s statutory registers, including completed initial entries from the date of your company registration. The documents included in the company register are:
- Register of Applications and Allotments
- Register of Members and Share Ledger
- Register of Transfers
- Register of Mortgages and Charges
- Register of Debentures
- Register of Sealings or Executions
- Register of Directors
- Register of Director's Residential Address
- Register of Secretaries
- Register of PSCs
- Register of PSCs Residential Address
Registered Office Service
London WC2, for 12 months
Registered Office Service
Covent Garden, London WC2
The Registered Office will appear on public record as the official address of your company. With this service, our prestigious Covent Garden address will appear on public record rather than your home address.
We will then scan and email all statutory company mail to you, from all UK government bodies and Court documents, free of charge.
This service is renewable on a 12 monthly basis at the cost of £39.00 +VAT. Notice will always be given in advance of your renewal date and you will be able to cancel the service.
Please note: The forwarding of official government mail by scan and email is free. Mail will be forwarded on a daily basis.
1 x Service Address
London WC2, for 12 months
1 x Service Address
Covent Garden, London WC2
All company directors, shareholders who are persons with significant control (PSC), and company secretaries, must provide a service address where statutory mail from government bodies such as Companies House and HMRC can be sent to them personally. This address will appear on public record, so most people prefer not to use their home address for this purpose.
With this facility, our prestigious Covent Garden address will show on the public record rather than your home address. This service includes the scanning and emailing of mail addressed to a company officer from all UK government bodies, as well as Court documents, free of charge.
This item provides a service address for 1 person and is renewable on a 12 month basis at a cost of £26.00 +VAT. Notice will always be given in advance of your renewal date and you will be able to cancel the service.
Please note: Forwarding of service address mail by scan and email is free of charge. Mail will be forwarded on a daily basis.
Filing of the first
Confirmation Statement
Filing of the first Confirmation Statement
(including Companies House filing fee)
It is a legal requirement to submit a Confirmation Statement to Companies House at least once each year, keeping them informed and up-to-date with your latest company details.
The Confirmation Statement is a snapshot of your company details on the date of filing the Statement. It includes details of the company’s principal business activity, directors (and company secretary if applicable), the registered office, share capital, shareholdings and people with significant control.
An experienced member of our staff will prepare and submit your Confirmation Statement to Companies House before the due date, ensuring this will be done on time and with total accuracy.
Please note: This includes the Companies House filing fee.
This service is renewable every 12 months for £44.99 (which includes the Companies House filing fee). Notice will always be given in advance of your renewal date, and you will be able to cancel the service.
Call Answering + Business
Tel Nr Free for 1 Month
Call Answering + Business Tel Nr
Free for 1 Month
Two dedicated receptionists will be assigned to your company and will answer your business calls during normal working hours. Your receptionists will answer your calls in your company name and will follow the call instructions provided by you.
After receiving a call, we will transfer and announce the call to you, or alternatively take a message and forward it to you by email or SMS, at no further cost.
Outside normal working hours, we can provide you with a personal voicemail service which your receptionists will manage for you. Voicemail messages will be sent to you by email the following working day.
Alternatively, if you wish to answer out of hours calls yourself, we can easily divert the calls to a number of your choice.
Business Telephone Number
We will also provide you with your own unique 020 London or regional telephone number. You can use this number as your new business number on your company stationery, website, advertising, etc.
Call forwarding will be charged at BT Standard Rates.
Renewals
This service is free (excl. call charges) for the first month, and then will automatically renew every month at a cost of £29.99 + VAT.
Printed Certificate of Incorporation
& Share Certificates
Printed Copy of Certificate of Incorporation & Share Certificates
As soon as your company is registered at Companies House we will deliver a printed copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and Share Certificates by Royal Mail post.
Printed & Bound Memorandum
& Articles of Association
Printed & Bound Memorandum & Articles of Association
As soon as your company is registered at Companies House we will deliver a printed and bound copy of your Memorandum and Articles of Association by Royal Mail post.
The Memorandum & Articles of Association are essential company documents that outline the purpose of the business and contain a set of rules about the management and structure of the company. Given their importance, it is highly recommended you have a hard copy of these documents.
Business Address Service
London WC2, for 12 months
(worth £96.00)
Business Address Service
Covent Garden, London WC2
1st Formations' London business address service allows you to use our prestigious Covent Garden address for your day-to-day business correspondence.
A business address in the heart of London’s West End is an excellent way to enhance the corporate image of your company and establish a business presence in an important area.
All mail addressed to your company will be forwarded to you at an address of your choice by first class post, on a daily basis.
This service is renewable on a 12 monthly basis at the cost of £96.00 +VAT. Notice will always be given in advance of your renewal date and you will be able to cancel the service.
Mail Delivery
All mail forwarding to you will be charged at Royal Mail postal rates plus 15%.
Alternatively, you can request a digital mail delivery service, where all mail is scanned and emailed to you at a cost of £0.50 per letter. All items of value will continue to be posted to you.
VAT Registration
(use at anytime)
VAT Registration (use at anytime)
Allow our highly trained staff to handle the formalities of your VAT registration.
If your turnover is expected to exceed £85,000 in the next 12 months, it is a legal requirement to register for VAT, unless the supplies are exempt.
If your turnover is not expected to exceed the £85,000 threshold, there are a number of reasons why many companies choose to register for VAT voluntarily. Here are some examples:
- The ability to claim back VAT on goods and services purchased by the company.
- Raise the corporate image of the company, by appearing to be bigger than you actually are.
- Enable deals with suppliers and customers who are not willing to deal with companies that are not VAT registered.
The VAT registration process explained
As soon as your company is incorporated, we will send you a questionnaire by email, asking for some additional information necessary to complete your VAT registration application with HMRC.
We will then apply for your VAT registration online. The timeline for the approval of new VAT registrations is subject to the information received and HMRC's workload, which can vary significantly.
Once your VAT registration has been approved, we will send your VAT Registration Number to you by email. Your VAT Registration Certificate will be sent to you by post by HMRC.
PAYE Registration
(use at anytime)
PAYE Registration (use at anytime)
If you would like to pay yourself as a director of the company, or you have employees or other directors who will be taking a salary from your company, it is a legal requirement to register for PAYE with HMRC.
Failure to register for PAYE promptly can result in penalties.
Avoid potential complications by allowing our highly trained staff to take care of the registration on your behalf.
The PAYE registration process explained
As soon as your company is incorporated, we will send you a questionnaire by email, asking for some additional information necessary to complete your PAYE registration application with HMRC.
We will then apply for your PAYE registration online. This process normally takes around 3 weeks and all of your PAYE information will be sent to you by post directly from HMRC.
If your first payday is less than 3 weeks away, do not be concerned. You should process your salary or salaries on the date of your first payday, and complete your PAYE return when you receive your registration information from HMRC. If your first filing is late, HMRC will take into account the timing of your registration, so there should be no issues arising from this filing.
GDPR
Compliance Package
GDPR Compliance Package
This valuable package provides all the guidance and templates your company needs to quickly and inexpensively become fully GDPR compliant.
In May 2018, the UK introduced new legislation based on the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), governing how companies collect, process and store data. GDPR significantly increases the responsibilities all companies have when it comes to handling customer and employee data. Breaches of GDPR can lead to very large fines.
Avoid hours of research and fines by using our GDPR guidance and template documents contained within this comprehensive package.
Please note: This package includes updated documents which are fully compatible with Britain leaving the EU.
12-month
Cancellation Protection
12-month Cancellation Protection
If you change your mind and decide you no longer need your company, within the first 12 months of forming it, we will close the company for you.
Our Company Dissolution Service normally costs £59.99 and so, this item will save you a considerable amount of money.
This product includes the Companies House fee, completion and filing of the DS01 form (the application to strike off a company), Board Resolution to approve the dissolution, and continued use of our Registered Office and Service Address until your company is closed down.
Please note: You must claim your cancellation protection within 12 months of the date of incorporation of your company. This product expires after 12 months and cannot be renewed.
Full Company Secretary
Service (worth £149.99)
Full Company Secretary Service
Our Full Company Secretary Service is our premium service, providing an appointed company secretary to take care of your company, and much more.
What's included?
- An appointed company secretary (1st Secretaries Limited) showing you take your compliance seriously.
- A dedicated account manager, who is an experienced company secretarial professional, on hand to answer your questions and process your instructions.
- Preparation and filing of your annual Confirmation Statement, including the Companies House filing fee of £13.00.
- Preparation, maintenance and storage of all five statutory registers for the service period of 12 months, as required by the Companies Act 2006 (including Register of Members and Register of Directors).
- Up to ten changes to your company per year, including director appointments, share transfers, and share allotments free of charge (additional transactions thereafter are charged at our standard rates).
Renewal Cost
Our Full Company Secretary Service is renewable on an annual basis at the cost of £149.99. Notice will always be given in advance of your renewal date and you will have the right to cancel the service.
Frequently asked questions
What happens if I make a mistake?
Don’t worry! All mistakes can be fixed after your company is formed, and most of the time it will not cost you anything to rectify matters.
To reduce the risk of errors, we recommend you purchase the pre-submission review service - available at a cost of £4.99 during the ordering process. This will ensure one of our experts reviews your company application and corrects any errors before it is submitted to Companies House.
Can I set up a dormant company?
A dormant company is not a type of company that can be registered at Companies House; however, you can make your new company dormant simply by informing HMRC that you have not started trading, and have no plans to do so in the immediate future.
Therefore, you would like them to classify your company as dormant. This can be done after you receive your company’s UTR (unique tax reference) number, which is sent to the registered office around two to three weeks after the date of company incorporation.
If I buy a service address, can I use it for more than one company?
No. If you purchase our service address, one director will be able to use it for one company only. Should you wish to use our address as your service address for another company, a separate purchase is required.
Can I buy a digital package now and upgrade later?
Yes, you can choose a digital package now, and this will provide you with a limited company. If, at a later date, you wish to buy any additional items that are included in more expensive packages, they can be purchased separately from your customer area. However, they will not be available at the discounted rates of the packages.
How long will it take to complete the whole process?
It will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete our online company application form. We will then send the application to Companies House, which will usually take around 3 to 6 working hours to approve a company - although this time period is dependent on Companies House workload, and sometimes it can take longer.
VAT registration usually takes up to 30 days, but can take longer in some instances.
Do I need to sign anything?
Our company formation service is 100% online, and there is no need to supply any documentation or signatures. Just follow our simple 4 step company set up process, and your new company will usually be set up within 3 to 6 working hours (subject to Companies House workload).
Don't I need a solicitor or accountant to do this?
No. You can very easily form your limited company or LLP from as little as £12.99 +VAT by using our website, saving you £200 to £300 in solicitor or accountancy fees.
What information do I need to have at hand to form a company?
You will need a company name, a registered office address, and the details of the director and shareholder (which can be the same person) - name, date of birth, occupation, nationality and home address. You will also need a SIC code (business activity code) - but don't worry, we provide a list of codes for you to choose from.
See also: Information Required to Set Up a Company.
When do I get my authentication code?
If you register your company with 1st Formations, your company's authentication code and company documents will be sent to you by email as soon as your application is approved by Companies House. The authentication code will also be available to view in your online customer area on our website.
How do I keep my home address private ?
All new registered companies must supply 2 official addresses that are placed on the public record - a registered office address and a director's service address. Most people do not want to use their home address, as they would like to maintain their privacy.
The best way to do this is by choosing one of our packages that includes a registered office and service address at a discounted rate, for example: The Privacy, Professional, Prestige or All Inclusive.
Which type of company is best for me?
If you are forming a company with the objective of making a profit, then the standard company type for most commercial business activities is a private company limited by shares (or, in short, a 'limited' or 'ltd' company). You will find our range of limited company packages above.
For those wishing to form a non-profit company, co-operative, association, membership organisation, etc., the company type you should go for is a private company limited by guarantee. Please have a look at our Limited by Guarantee Package for further information.
1st Formations also provides limited liability partnership (LLP) company registration, which is similar to a traditional partnership, but enjoys the same limited liability as a limited company. This type of company is popular with professionals such as solicitors and accountants.
How much does it cost, and what do I receive?
You can set up a limited company that is ready to trade, from as little as £12.99 plus VAT, by choosing our Digital Package. This cost includes the Companies House filing fee, so there is nothing else to pay.
As soon as your new company is registered by Companies House (usually within 3 to 6 working hours), you will receive an email containing your certificate of incorporation, a memorandum and articles of association and a share certificate for each shareholder.
You can, of course, choose one of our more comprehensive packages - which will provide many useful services. For example, our Prestige Package provides high quality printed company documents delivered by post, all 3 address services that will protect your privacy and provide an excellent corporate image, VAT registration and much more.
