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formation packages

We can form companies for residents of the following countries: FULL LIST

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Same-Day Incorporation Service

Add same-day incorporation for £79.99 at checkout with any package - available until 12 noon GMT, Monday-Friday.

Digital

£102.99
Incl. £100 Companies House Fee

Basic company formation to get you up and running.

Buy Now Read More

Privacy

£117.99
Incl. £100 Companies House Fee

Protect your home privacy with our address services.

Buy Now Read More

All Inclusive

£139.99
Incl. £100 Companies House Fee

Focus on growth. We'll keep you legal and compliant.

Buy Now Read More

All Inclusive with Accounting

£1.00 £139.99
We pay £100 Companies House Fee

Get our All Inclusive Package for £1.00 when you sign up for our accounting service.

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Best Value

Company Registration with
ID Verification & Personal Code

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Company Registration with ID Verification

Your new company will usually be registered at Companies House within 24 hours.

As an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), we'll handle your ID verification for free and get your Personal Verification Code (PVC) on your behalf if you don't have one already.

Once your company is registered, you can start trading immediately.

Free Business Bank Account

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Free Business Bank Account

UK customers

We have partnered with the top banks to provide a free business bank account for companies with UK resident directors and shareholders. Choose your preferred bank when completing your application.

International customers

Overseas customers are recommended to purchase the Non-Residents Package for free business account referrals.

Please note: All account openings are subject to bank approval.

Free Online Company Manager

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Free Online Company Manager

Manage all your company details from one central login: receive filing date reminders, update officer details and addresses, form new companies, import existing ones, and download documents and official mail.

Free .com or .co.uk
Domain Name

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Free .com or .co.uk
Domain Name

In partnership with IONOS, claim a free .com or .co.uk domain for one year.

How it works: Once your company is registered, you'll receive a confirmation email with a link to claim your domain or add hosting for £1/month.

Please note: Free for the first year only via the confirmation email link. Renewal fees not included. Standard T&Cs apply.

Filing of the First
Confirmation Statement

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Filing of the First Confirmation Statement

It is a legal requirement to submit a confirmation statement to Companies House annually. An experienced staff member will prepare and submit your statement before the due date.

Please note: This does not include the £50.00 Companies House filing fee. Payment will be taken using your stored card details.

Renewable every 12 months for £75.99 (including £50 Companies House fee).

If you purchase the All Inclusive or All Inclusive with Accounting package, this service is included in the Hassle-Free Compliance Service.

Business Telephone Number
Free for 3 Months

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Business Telephone Number - Free for 3 Months

Enhance your business's professional image with a dedicated London or regional telephone number, with calls forwarded to your chosen number.

  • Set up within one business day
  • 3 months free, then £9.99 +VAT per month

Certificate of Incorporation,
Mem & Arts and Share Certificate(s)

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Full Set of Company Documents

Delivered by email as soon as your new company is registered:

  • Certificate of Incorporation
  • Memorandum & Articles of Association
  • Share Certificate(s)
  • WebFiling Authentication Code

London Registered Office Service, for 12 months

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Registered Office Service

Covent Garden, London WC2

Our Covent Garden address will appear on public record instead of your home address. All statutory mail from UK government bodies and court documents scanned and emailed on the same day, free of charge.

Renewable every 12 months at £39.00 +VAT. Notice of renewal given in advance; cancellation available.

London Service Service,
for 12 months

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1 x Service Address

Covent Garden, London WC2

A service address for a company director, shareholder, or PSC to appear on public record instead of your home address. Includes scanning and emailing of government and court mail on the same day, free of charge.

Renewable every 12 months at £26.00 +VAT per person. Notice of renewal given in advance; cancellation available.

London Business Address Service, for 12 months

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London Business Address Service

Covent Garden, London WC2

Use our Covent Garden address for day-to-day business correspondence, establishing a Central London presence. Mail forwarded by scan and email on the same day.

Renewable every 12 months at £96.00 +VAT. Notice of renewal given in advance; cancellation available.

Mail Delivery

Scan and email: 50p per item. Items forwarded by post charged at Royal Mail rates plus 15%.

Business Document Template
Library (worth £99.99)

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Business Document Template Library

Instant access to professionally drafted documents to support your business all year round.

What's included?

  • 400+ legally reviewed, ready-to-use templates, including contracts, policies, agreements and more
  • Invoice and share certificate generators
  • Drafted and reviewed by legal experts; regularly updated for new legislation
  • Easily customisable to suit your business

Renewal cost

  1. If you purchase the Privacy Package, the library will renew annually at £99.99 +VAT.
  2. If you purchase the All Inclusive Package, access to the library is included within the Hassle-Free Compliance Service.

Notice of renewal given in advance; cancellation available.

VAT Registration (use anytime)

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VAT Registration (use anytime)

Our staff will handle your VAT registration. Legally required if turnover exceeds £90,000 in 12 months (unless exempt). Many companies register voluntarily to:

  • Claim back VAT on goods and services
  • Enhance corporate image
  • Enable deals with VAT-registered partners

The VAT registration process explained

Once approved, HMRC will send your VAT Registration Number by post, and your VAT Registration Certificate will be available online on the Government Gateway.

PAYE Registration (use anytime)

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PAYE Registration (use anytime)

If you will pay yourself a salary as a director or are paying employees a salary, you must register for PAYE with HMRC.

Our staff will handle the registration on your behalf. The process usually takes around 3 weeks, with PAYE details sent to you by post from HMRC.

Free 4 Hours of
Meeting Room Hire

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Free 4 Hours of Meeting Room Hire

Meeting space at our Covent Garden location for up to eight people:

  • Touchscreen displays, video conferencing, and Clickshare screen sharing
  • 10Gb Wi-Fi, air conditioning, concierge service, and complimentary refreshments

Open 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday. Use in a single session or split across meetings. Must be used within 6 months of purchase.

Hassle-Free Compliance
Service (worth £149.99)

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Hassle-Free Compliance Service

Tools and resources to keep your company compliant all year round.

What's included?

  • Unlimited access to 400+ legally reviewed business document templates plus invoice generator
  • 50% discount on company changes handled by experienced professionals
  • Expert compliance support by phone and email
  • Annual confirmation statement preparation and filing (excluding £50 Companies House fee)
  • Quarterly compliance webinars and monthly newsletter
  • Dormant company accounts prepared and filed if required
  • ICO registration and Certificate of Good Standing managed on your behalf if required

Renewal Cost

Renewable annually at £149.99. Notice of renewal given in advance; cancellation available.

Full Accounting Service
(nothing to pay for one month)

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Full Accounting Service (nothing to pay for one month)

This package includes our Standard Accounting plan (£89 +VAT/mth) - the right fit for most new companies that are trading and paying their director a salary.

The choice is yours - Standard is simply the starting point. You can switch to Simple (£49 +VAT) or Scale (£129 +VAT) during your onboarding call, or at any time after.

How it works

  1. Select the All Inclusive with Accounting Package and complete our online company formation process.
  2. Once your company is registered, we'll email you to sign your letter of engagement and book your onboarding call.
  3. During the onboarding call, you can choose the right accounting plan for your business and get set up on Xero accounting software.
  4. You're all set - within 48 hours of your call, your accounting service is live, with our team ready to support your business.

Please note: Selecting this package registers your company for £1 and starts your accounting subscription. There is nothing to pay for the first month, and then 11 payments from £49 +VAT/month for the accounting service. After that, it continues on a rolling monthly basis until cancelled.

Year-end Accounts

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Year-end Accounts

We prepare and file your annual accounts with Companies House, keeping you compliant and penalty-free.

Corporation Tax Return

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Corporation Tax Return

We calculate, prepare and file your Corporation Tax return with HMRC - accurately and on time, every year.

Xero Accounting Software

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Xero Accounting Software

Xero is the market-leading cloud software for invoices, expenses and bank transactions. It's included on every plan at no extra cost, saving you up to £600 a year.

VAT Registration and Returns

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VAT Registration and Returns

We register you for VAT and submit your quarterly returns to HMRC under Making Tax Digital.

PAYE Registration and Payroll for 1 Director

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PAYE Registration and Payroll for 1 Director

We set up your PAYE scheme with HMRC and run monthly payroll for one director, including payslips and submissions.

Self Assessment for 1 Director

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Self Assessment for 1 Director

We prepare and file your Self Assessment tax return, covering salary, dividends and other personal income for one director.

Digital

£102.99
Incl. £100 Companies House Fee
Buy Now Read More

Privacy

£117.99
Incl. £100 Companies House Fee
Buy Now Read More

All Inclusive

£139.99
Incl. £100 Companies House Fee
Buy Now Read More

All Inclusive with Accounting

£1.00 £139.99
We pay £100 Companies House Fee
Buy Now Read More
  • Limited Company
  • Non-Residents
  • LLP
  • Guarantee

  • Digital

    £102.99
    Incl. £100 Companies House Fee

    Basic company formation to get you up and running.

    Buy Now Read More

    Company Registration with
    ID Verification & Personal Code

    Free Business Bank Account

    Free Online Company Manager

    Free .com or .co.uk
    Domain Name

    Filing of the First
    Confirmation Statement

    Business Telephone Number
    Free for 3 Months

    Certificate of Incorporation,
    Mem & Arts and Share Certificate(s)

  • Privacy

    £117.99
    Incl. £100 Companies House Fee

    Protect your home privacy with our address services.

    Buy Now Read More

    Company Registration with
    ID Verification & Personal Code

    Free Business Bank Account

    Free Online Company Manager

    Free .com or .co.uk
    Domain Name

    Filing of the First
    Confirmation Statement

    Business Telephone Number
    Free for 3 Months

    Certificate of Incorporation,
    Mem & Arts and Share Certificate(s)

    London Registered Office Service, for 12 months

    London Service Service,
    for 12 months

    London Business Address Service, for 12 months

    Business Document Template
    Library (worth £99.99)

  • All Inclusive

    £139.99
    Incl. £100 Companies House Fee

    Focus on growth. We'll keep you legal and compliant.

    Buy Now Read More

    Company Registration with
    ID Verification & Personal Code

    Free Business Bank Account

    Free Online Company Manager

    Free .com or .co.uk
    Domain Name

    Filing of the First
    Confirmation Statement

    Business Telephone Number
    Free for 3 Months

    Certificate of Incorporation,
    Mem & Arts and Share Certificate(s)

    London Registered Office Service, for 12 months

    London Service Service,
    for 12 months

    London Business Address Service, for 12 months

    Business Document Template
    Library (worth £99.99)

    VAT Registration (use anytime)

    PAYE Registration (use anytime)

    Free 4 Hours of
    Meeting Room Hire

    Hassle-Free Compliance
    Service (worth £149.99)

  • Best Value

    All Inclusive with Accounting

    £1.00 £139.99
    We pay £100 Companies House Fee

    Get our All Inclusive Package for £1.00 when you sign up for our accounting service.

    Buy Now Read More

    Company Registration with
    ID Verification & Personal Code

    Free Business Bank Account

    Free Online Company Manager

    Free .com or .co.uk
    Domain Name

    Filing of the First
    Confirmation Statement

    Business Telephone Number
    Free for 3 Months

    Certificate of Incorporation,
    Mem & Arts and Share Certificate(s)

    London Registered Office Service, for 12 months

    London Service Service,
    for 12 months

    London Business Address Service, for 12 months

    Business Document Template
    Library (worth £99.99)

    VAT Registration (use anytime)

    PAYE Registration (use anytime)

    Free 4 Hours of
    Meeting Room Hire

    Hassle-Free Compliance
    Service (worth £149.99)

    Full Accounting Service
    (nothing to pay for one month)

    Year-end Accounts

    Corporation Tax Return

    Xero Accounting Software

    VAT Registration and Returns

    PAYE Registration and Payroll for 1 Director

    Self Assessment for 1 Director

Same-Day Incorporation

Choose our same-day company incorporation service for £79.99 at checkout with any package. Orders must be submitted by 12pm GMT, Monday-Friday.

Please note:

  1. The Companies House filing fee of £50.00 is not included in the Filing of the First Confirmation Statement service. We'll charge this to your stored payment card when your first confirmation statement is filed.
  2. The above packages form a company with Ordinary shares only. We do not offer multiple share classes.
  3. Business bank account offers are available only to companies with UK-resident directors and shareholders. Overseas directors and shareholders are not eligible. If this applies to you, our Non-Residents Package includes suitable business account options - you can add the referral during checkout. Account openings are subject to approval.

The best choice of business bank accounts

Form your company with 1st Formations and set up your
business bank account with no paperwork or stress.

Barclays Bank Card

Barclays business bank account

This leading high street bank offers a business bank account with no fees for the first 12 months. Their App allows you to manage your account online, make payments locally and internationally, and create invoices for free.

How to apply

Once your company has been formed, Barclays will contact you with details on how to open your account. Your account will be opened within 6 to 8 weeks, and your business debit card will arrive within 5 days of the account being activated.

Natwest Bank Card

NatWest start up business account

Established high street bank NatWest offer a business bank account with no transaction fees for the first 18 months. They also provide a range of borrowing options to help grow your business.

How to apply

NatWest will email you within 1 day of your company's incorporation with instructions for opening your account.

Monzo Bank Card

Monzo business bank account

This business bank account offers spending notifications, pots to separate and manage your money, FSCS protection, and instant UK bank transfers. Starting with no monthly fees, it's a great choice for businesses.

How to apply

Monzo will email you within 24 hours of your company's formation to guide you through the account opening process.

Lloyds Bank Card

Lloyds business account

Join over 1 million businesses that bank with Lloyds and get an instant decision on up to £5,000 credit (subject to status). Open a Business Account and enjoy a range of benefits, including free accounting software with no hidden costs, no monthly account fee for the first 12 months, and 24/7 mobile banking to manage your finances on the go.

How to apply

Once your company is formed, you will be invited to apply via their app. Most applications are completed in minutes, and you’ll receive a prompt decision on your credit limit.

Anna Bank Card

ANNA business bank account

This online business banking solution provides free money transfers and ATM transactions, 1% cashback on business expenses paid with your debit card, and the ability to set up direct debits. ANNA also provide multiple debit cards with customisable spending limits.

How to apply

Once your company is incorporated, you'll receive an email and SMS with a link to start your online application. Most accounts are opened in just 3 minutes, with your company's debit card arriving within 5 working days.

Revolut Bank Card

Revolut Business account – for non-UK residents

Revolut Business is an all-in-one finance platform built for companies that want more than just a bank account. From £10 per month, you'll get access to multi-currency accounts in GBP, EUR, and USD across 50+ countries, plus integrations with Xero, FreeAgent, Shopify, and more – keeping your finances and accounting in one place. 

How to apply

Our Non-Residents package comes with a free banking referral. Once your company is formed, you'll receive an email with everything you need to get started – including a link to apply for a Revolut Business account. If your application is approved, you'll be set up with a UK sort code and account number shortly after.
Note: All account openings are subject to approval.

Wise Bank Card

Wise Business account – for non-UK residents

Wise Business is designed for companies that operate across borders. With no monthly fee, you can hold and convert 40+ currencies, receive local account details in GBP, EUR, USD, AUD, CAD, and more, and send low-cost international payments to 80+ countries. Wise integrates with Stripe, Xero, Shopify, and QuickBooks to keep your financial admin streamlined.

How to apply

Our Non-Residents package comes with a free banking referral. Once your company is formed, you'll receive an email with everything you need to get started – including a link to apply for a Wise Business account. If your application is approved, you'll be set up with a UK sort code and account number shortly after.
Note: All account openings are subject to approval.

Starling Bank Card

Starling business account

Join thousands of businesses banking with Starling, the multi-award-winning digital bank. Open a Business Account with no monthly account fees and enjoy fast, secure UK and international transfers, easy integrations with Xero and QuickBooks, and round-the-clock UK-based support. Your eligible deposits are protected by the FSCS up to £120,000, so you can manage your money with confidence. Other charges may apply.

How to apply

Download the Starling app to get started. If you are an existing Starling personal customer, you can open a new account straight from the profile section of your app.

From there, you will apply for a business account within the app. Starling will review your application and may request additional documentation before approving your account.

Learn More about Business Banking

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I make a mistake?

Don't worry! All mistakes can be fixed after your company is registered, 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 register 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.

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 or All Inclusive.

Which type of company is best for me?

If you are registering a company with the objective of making a profit, then the standard company type for most commercial business activities is a limited company (also known as a private company limited by shares). 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 long will it take to complete the company registration process?

It will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete our online company application form. We will require ID checks to be carried out, which are quick and easy to complete. We will then send the application to Companies House, which will usually take less than 24 hours to approve a company - although this time period is dependent on Companies House workload, and sometimes it can take longer.

If it is important that your company is formed quickly, we provide a Same-Day Incorporation Service for £79.99, which can be purchased at checkout with any package. This service is available until 12 noon GMT, Monday-Friday. Incorporation on the same day is dependent on us receiving all relevant ID information for the company by 2pm of the same day, and we are not liable where we are not provided with the required information by this time.

VAT registration usually takes up to 30 days, but can take longer in some instances.

Do I need to sign anything?

Our company registration 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 24 hours (subject to Companies House workload).

Do you verify my ID with Companies House when I form a company?

Yes. We are an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) and can verify the identity of officers and persons with significant control (PSCs) on behalf of Companies House.

When we submit your company formation application to Companies House, once your company has been formed, you will appear as 'verified' for ID purposes on the Companies House public register.

We will also carry out additional checks to comply with our anti-money laundering responsibilities, as we are supervised by HMRC for anti-money laundering purposes.

The ID verification process is quick, simple, and free of charge. Typically it is completed within just a few minutes. You can read more about our ID Requirements here.

What information do I need to have at hand to register 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.

Do I need an accountant from day one of my company being formed?

There's no legal requirement to appoint an accountant, but your legal obligations begin the moment your company is incorporated, not when you start trading or when your first accounts are due. Appointing one from day one means you:

  • Keep your tax bill efficient. Salary and dividend planning works best in advance, before tax-saving opportunities are missed.
  • Claim the right expenses. Capture every allowable cost from the start, including pre-trading expenses - so you don't overpay tax.
  • Stay compliant. Your filing duties start at incorporation. An accountant keeps your records organised all year round, so you're always ready to file.
  • Save time and money. No learning the rules the hard way, and no correcting mistakes later.
  • Make informed decisions. Accounting software and up-to-date figures help you make proactive decisions about your business.
  • Pay yourself and your team. PAYE, salary, payroll and dividends set up correctly from the outset.

How does your Accounting Service work?

Once your company is formed, we'll send you your letter of engagement and invite you to an onboarding call. On the call, you'll choose the accounting plan that suits your business best - from £49 +VAT per month - and we'll introduce you to Xero, your cloud accounting software.

Within 48 hours of your onboarding call, everything is set up and you're ready to go. You'll have access to your dashboard and Xero, so you can monitor your filings, create invoices, and log payments from day one.

From there, the team keeps your company compliant all year round - your annual accounts, your Corporation Tax return, and your dealings with HMRC. You'll also have access to our team for advice on everything from tax efficiency and claiming expenses to getting the most out of Xero.

Can I select another company formation package and add accounting on?

Yes. You can add the Accounting Service at the checkout of any of our company formation packages, except the Limited Liability Partnership Package. The service is built for newly formed limited companies, so it's only available as part of forming your company with us.

Can I purchase the Accounting Service after my company has been formed?

Not at the moment - the Accounting Service is only available when you form your company with us. You can include it by choosing the All Inclusive with Accounting Package, or by adding it at checkout with any of our other company formation packages. This means your finances are looked after from day one, with nothing to set up later.

What is the confirmation statement?

The confirmation statement is a document that must be filed annually, providing Companies House with up-to-date information about your company. These packages include the preparation and filing of your first confirmation statement.

Please note: Our Filing of the First Confirmation Statement Service does not include the Companies House filing fee of £50.00. At the time of filing your first confirmation statement, we will take payment of £50.00 using your payment card details securely stored on your account.

This service is renewable annually at £75.99 (including the £50 Companies House Fee). If you have our Hassle-Free Compliance Service, this service is included.

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. The one exception is our Accounting Service, which cannot be purchased once your company has been formed.

Are these packages suitable for accountants or other professionals forming companies on behalf of clients?

Unfortunately, our company formation packages aren't available for third-party use. They're designed exclusively for individuals setting up their own businesses and cannot be purchased on behalf of clients or resold as part of a professional service.

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Eligible Countries

We can form companies for customers in most countries in the world; however, there are several that are not eligible.
Check if your country is eligible below: