Company Formation and Registration UK

Limited company formation packages

Everything you need to register a company in the UK - explore our packages.

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Package details:

Limited Company

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Limited Company

Your new limited company registered at Companies House within 24 hours.

As soon as your new company has been approved by Companies House, you can start trading immediately.
Free Business Bank Account

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Free Business Bank Account

UK Customers

We have partnered with 7 leading UK banks to offer our customers the perfect business banking solution. When you place your new company order, simply choose your preferred bank, and they will contact you after your company has been formed.

Non-Resident Customers

We have partnered with WorldFirst to offer our international customers a business banking solution. We have included a WorldFirst business account referral in our Non-Residents and eSeller Packages.

Please note: Account openings for all banking referral partners are subject to approval.
Free Online Company Manager
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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.

Make changes to company details.

Form new companies quicker.

Import existing companies and control all 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

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Free .com or .co.uk Domain Name

We’ve teamed up with IONOS, one of the UK’s top providers of domain names, to offer you a free .com or .co.uk domain for one year.

Here's how it works: Once your company is officially registered with Companies House, you’ll receive an email confirming your order, including a special link to the IONOS site. You can use this link to claim your free .com or .co.uk domain or choose to add a hosting plan to your cart for just £1 per month.

Please note: The .com or .co.uk domain is free for the first year, but this offer is only valid through the link in your order confirmation email. The discount applies only to the first year, and renewal fees are not included. Standard terms and conditions apply.
Filing of the First
Confirmation Statement

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Confirmation Statement Service

A company expert will prepare and submit your annual confirmation statement to Companies House, ensuring it is filed on time and accurately.

Please note: This service does not include the £34.00 Companies House filing fee. When filing your first confirmation statement, we will take payment of £34.00 using your payment card details securely stored in your account.

Our Confirmation Statement Service is renewable annually at the cost of £59.99 +VAT.
Business Telephone Number
Free for 3 Months
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Business Telephone Number

Enhance your business's professional image with a dedicated business telephone number. We’re pleased to offer this service through our sister company, Bizik, a leading UK business support provider.

With this service, you’ll receive a London or regional telephone number, and all calls will be forwarded to a number of your choice.

Once your company is formed, the Bizik team will reach out within one business day to set up your business telephone number

Enjoy three months of service free of charge

After the free period, the service will continue for just £9.99 +VAT per month
Email Copy of
Company Documents
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Digital Company Documents

Your company documents delivered to you by email as soon as your new company is registered, including:

Certificate of Incorporation

Memorandum and Articles

Share Certificates

WebFiling Authentication Code

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Package details:

Everything in the Digital Package, plus:

Email Copy of Company
Register with First Entries
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Company Registers with First Entries

A digital version of your company’s statutory registers, including completed initial entries from the date of your company registration:

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

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London Registered Office

Use our prestigious Covent Garden address as your company’s registered office address and protect the privacy of your home.

All UK government mail and court documents will be scanned and emailed to you daily, free of charge.

This service is renewable on a 12-month basis at the cost of £39.00 +VAT.
1x Service Address
London WC2, for 12 months

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London Service Address

Our Service Address Service provides an official address for a company director, shareholder, or PSC to appear on the public record.

All UK government mail and Court documents addressed to the company officer will be scanned and emailed free of charge daily.

This service is renewable on a 12-month basis at the cost of £26.00 +VAT.

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Package details:

Everything in the Privacy Package, plus:

Full Set of Hard Copy
Company Documents

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Full Set of Hard Copy Company Documents

As soon as your company is registered at Companies House we will deliver a full set of Hard Copy Company Documents by Royal Mail post.
Business Address Service
London WC2, for 12 months
(worth £96.00)

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London Business Address

Our London Business Address Service allows you to use our Covent Garden address for your day-to-day business correspondence, establishing a business presence in Central London.

All mail addressed to your company will be forwarded to you by scan and email on the same day we receive it for £0.50 per item.

This service is renewable annually at the cost of £96.00 +VAT.
Telephone Answering
Free for 1 Month
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Telephone Answering

We are excited to offer telephone answering services through our sister company.

You will receive Bizik's Biz Starter plan, which includes 20 receptionist minutes. Your dedicated team of receptionists will handle your calls between 8:00am and 6:00pm, Monday to Friday. The service also comes with a free business telephone number.

How it works

Once your company has been formed, you will receive an onboarding form. Complete it, and the Bizik team will contact you to activate your service.

Key Features

Bespoke call handling

Professional receptionists

Diary management

Online portal with reporting

After the free period, this service will renew for £29.99 +VAT per month.
Managed Live Chat
Free for 1 Month
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Managed Live Chat

We are excited to offer managed live chat services through our sister company, Bizik.

You will receive Bizik's Chat 15 plan, which includes 15 chats answered by Bizik's specialist chat team, and fully branded software tailored to your needs.

Bizik will provide live chat functionality for your website and work with you to build an extensive knowledge base about your business.

How it works

After your company has been formed, you will be sent an onboarding form. Once you complete it, the Bizik team will contact you to activate your service.

Key features

Real human conversations

Personalised live chat widget

Full live chat transcripts

Online portal with reporting

Lead capture

After the free period, this service will renew for £54.99 +VAT per month.

Popular

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Package details:

Everything in the Prestige Package, plus:

Full Company Secretary
Service (worth £149.99)
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Full Company Secretary Service

Our Full Company Secretary Service is our premium service ensuring your company stays compliant and offers many other benefits.

What's included?

Up to 15 changes to your company per year

Preparation and filing of your annual Confirmation Statement, including the Companies House filing fee of £34.00

Preparation, maintenance and storage of your five company registers

Exclusive solicitor-written guidance notes

Exclusive monthly newsletter covering key business news and topics

If your company is dormant, we will prepare and file your dormant company accounts

A dedicated account manager

Renewal Cost

Our Full Company Secretary Service is renewable annually for £149.99 +VAT.
VAT Registration (use at anytime)

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VAT Registration

Allow our highly trained staff to handle the formalities of your VAT registration.

We will apply for your VAT registration online.

Once your VAT registration has been approved, HMRC will send your VAT Registration Number by post to the business address provided on the application. You will then be able to access your VAT Registration Certificate online on the Government Gateway.
PAYE Registration (use at anytime)

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PAYE Registration

If you would like to pay yourself as a company director or have employees or other directors who will be taking a salary from your company, you must register for PAYE with HMRC.

Our highly trained staff will take care of the registration on your behalf.

The PAYE registration process usually takes around 3 weeks, and your PAYE information will be sent to you by post directly from HMRC.
Free 4 Hours of
Meeting Room Hire
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Free 4 Hours of Meeting Room Hire

Enjoy free 4 hours of meeting hire for up to eight people in our tech enabled meeting rooms with all the amenities you need for a productive and comfortable day:

Interactive touchscreen displays

Video conferencing

Screen sharing with Clickshare wireless technology

Super-fast 10Gb Wi-Fi

Air conditioning

Concierge service and on-site IT support

Complimentary filtered water, tea and coffee

Our meeting rooms are open from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. The included four hours can be used in a single session or split across multiple meetings. This offer must be used within 6 months of the purchase date.

For more information, check out our Meeting Rooms page on 1st Formations website.
GDPR Compliance Package

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GDPR Compliance Package

This valuable package provides all the guidance and templates your company needs to become fully GDPR compliant quickly and inexpensively.

GDPR significantly increases companies' responsibilities when handling customer and employee data. Breaches of GDPR can lead to very large fines.

Avoid hours of research and fines using our GDPR guidance and template documents in this comprehensive package.

Compare all Packages

Company formation in 4 simple steps

Our easy company registration process gets your business up and running in no time.

Choose a
Company Name

Select a Company
Formation Package

Additional Items
and Checkout

Complete Your
Company Details

What you need to know

What is a limited company?

A limited company is a business structure that separates the owner(s) from the business. This separation protects the owner's personal assets from the business’s debts and financial obligations.

This is the most popular business structure in the UK, and it provides additional benefits such as tax efficiency and enhanced credibility.

How long does it take to register a new company?

Our simple online application form takes no more than 20 minutes to complete.

Once the application has been submitted to Companies House, it will usually be processed in one working day.

Can I register a company on my own?

Yes. One person can form a limited company in the UK. You will need a director and a shareholder, and one individual can hold both positions.

What information do I need to provide?

Information about your company, including the company name, its business activities, and the address to be used as the company’s registered office address.

Some details on the people involved in the company, such as the directors and shareholders, including name, address, and date of birth.

How do I get a business bank account?

During the application process, we will provide a list of banks we can refer you to. Once your company is formed, we will share your details with the chosen bank who will contact you directly.

What documents will I get after forming my company?

Once your company has been incorporated, you will receive digital copies of the following documents:

Certificate of Incorporation
Memorandum and Articles of Association
Share Certificates
Minutes of the First Board Meeting
WebFiling Authentication Code

If your package includes hard-copy company documents, these will be dispatched to you within one working day.

When can I start trading?

You can begin trading as soon as your company is registered by Companies House. Usually within one working day.

Will my residential address be publicly available?

Although you must report your residential address to Companies House, you can keep it private and off the public record by using our registered office and service address services.

Take the first step

With the UK’s largest company formation agent

Non-Residents Package

Start and grow your UK business from anywhere in the world

This package includes limited company registration, UK business banking, London address services with international mail forwarding, and more. A full list of eligible countries can be found here.

Non-Residents Package

Last Updated: 24 February 2025

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:

Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
The Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Burundi
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Comoros
Costa Rica
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
East Timor (Timor-Leste)
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Fiji
Finland
France
Gabon
The Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kiribati
Korea, South
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lesotho
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia, Federated States of
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Nauru
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Spain
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Vietnam
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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 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 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 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.

HSBC Kinetic business current account

This business bank account helps you manage your company's finances with an App that provides categorised spending, mobile cheque deposit, the ability to make in-app payments of up to £25,000 per day and monthly cashflow outlook. There is no monthly account fee for the first 12 months.

How to apply

Once your company has been formed, HSBC will email instructions on downloading their App. Once downloaded, you can apply in minutes, with most accounts being opened within 2 days.

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.

Zempler business current account

An online business bank account which includes expense cards, a business Mastercard and an award-winning app. You can set up direct debits, make purchases for free and arrange a business overdraft of up to £2,000.

How to apply

Once your company is formed, Zempler will contact you to complete a quick application. With no credit checks required, you'll receive your UK bank account and sort code within 5 minutes. Your business Mastercard will follow in the post within 5 working days of your account being opened.

WorldFirst UK Business Account – for non-UK residents

A straightforward business banking solution for non-UK resident customers. Apply for an account in minutes and gain access to local account numbers and sort codes for over 10 currencies, including USD, GBP, and EUR. Pay staff partners, and suppliers in over 40 currencies and integrate with Xero for simple accounting and reconciliation.

How to apply

A referral is included free with our Non-Residents and eSeller packages. Once your company has been formed, you'll receive an 'Order Fulfilment' email containing a link to sign up for a WorldFirst Business Account. If your application is successful, you'll receive your UK bank sort code and account number shortly after. Account openings are subject to approval.

Tide business current account

Business banking with Tide allows you to simplify your company's financial management. Their business account App integrates with tools like Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, and others, so you can take care of accounting and invoicing all in one place.

How to apply

After forming your company, complete a simple online application and your account will be opened within an hour. Once your account is open, your free business Mastercard will be sent to you.

Learn More

Start your success story today

With the support of 1st Formations, Tax Scouts transformed their startup into a global business

New to company formation?

Created for beginners, this short video will provide you with everything you need to know
about the company formation process - in the simplest of terms. Watch it and register your company today.

Pick up a free business bank account

Select a business bank account during the company formation process and tick off another task on your ‘to do’ list.

We offer 8 business banking options to our UK customers, each with simple online account opening.

We also offer UK business banking to our non-UK resident customers through our partnership with WorldFirst.

Select a bank today and get your business account up and running in a matter of minutes.

Pick up a free business bank account

Graphic image showing several banking options we offer

Everything was in one place, and it was easy to use for somebody who didn’t really know what they were doing.

Liz Fraser, Dot Dot Dash Coaching View customer story

Liz Fraser, founder of Dot Dot Dash Coaching Limited.

Grow your business with offers from our partners

We have teamed up with some of the top business brands
in the world to give our customers a range of special offers and discounts.

View Partners Page

The information you need to form a company

Here is what you need to register a company limited by shares - the most popular type of UK company

Company Name

A company name that is not already in use at Companies House. You can check the availability for your preferred company name by using our company name checker.

Registered Office

A registered office address that is a physical address in the UK. Don't worry, most of our packages include a London registered office service, for example, the Prestige Package.

Company Officers

The details of all company officers (directors and secretaries) and shareholders, including full name, residential address, occupation, date of birth and nationality.

Meet the people
behind the companies

We helped them start their business. Watch their case studies to see how they are growing.

Victoria Rennoldson, from Culture Cuppa.

Culture Cuppa Learning & Development

Andrew Burton, from ShoreDitch Design Studio.

ShoreDitch Design Studio Marketing

Imiebi Rose Publishing

Michelle Clark, from Dogs on the Streets.

Dogs on the Streets Non-Profit

SellerPro Academy Professional Services

Liz Fraiser-Betts, from Dot Dot Dash Coaching.

Dot Dot Dash Coaching Healthcare

Marvellous Escapes Hospitality & Travel

EcoHedge Environmental

Javis Pacific Consultancy

More Case Studies

We are a carbon neutral business

Responsibility

As the UK's leading company formations agents, we recognised
our responsibility to address our impact on the environment.
Action

We calculated and offset our carbon footprint by investing in
environmental projects certified to the most recognised standards.
Commitment

We are proud of this achievement and committed to maintaining
our carbon neutral status for many years to come.

Learn More

See what our customers are saying on Trustpilot

Over 22,000 excellent customer reviews - a 98% approval rating.

All Reviews

Why register your company with 1st Formations?

We are obsessive
about our customers

The No.1 thing that has made us successful has been our fanatical focus on the customer.

We have been able to
greatly reduce our prices

As we have grown we've been able to pass on our economies of scale to the customer.

We have the most knowledgeable
Customer Service Team

Our company formation training programme is much-admired within our industry.

It’s never too late

Set up a limited company today, and start trading tomorrow

Frequently asked questions...

What type of company structure is most commonly chosen by UK businesses?

Private limited companies account for over 95% of all companies registered in the UK. An overwhelming majority of these are private companies limited by shares, making this structure the most commonly used company type.

Why should I form a limited company?

The main benefit of forming a limited company is the protection provided by limited liability. This means if your business runs into financial trouble, your personal assets will not be at risk. Other benefits include enhanced credibility and tax efficiency. Overall, choosing a limited company structure can offer greater security and growth opportunities for your business.

What is meant by a company limited by shares?

A company limited by shares is the most common type of limited company in the UK. 'Limited by shares' simply means the liability of the owners is limited to the nominal value of the shares issued by the company. Shareholders are only liable for the company's debts up to the amount they have invested, which helps protect their personal finances during company operation.

Do I need to appoint a director when forming my company?

By law, all private companies registered in the UK are required to appoint at least one director. The director must be a natural person (a human) who is at least 16 years old. There is no need for the director to be based in the UK.

How many shares do I need to issue?

A limited company must issue at least one share. If there is more than one shareholder, it is required to issue at least one share per shareholder. It is often recommended to issue more than the minimum number of shares to avoid the need to issue more in the future.

Do I have to be in the UK to form a company?

No. You can form a company as a non UK resident from most locations in the world. However, you will require to have a UK registered office address, which 1st Formations provides in most our company formation packages. Have a look at our Non-Residents Package for more details on how to register your company from abroad.

What methods of payment do 1st Formations accept?

We accept all major credit and debit cards including Mastercard, Visa, Maestro, and American Express. We ensure secure transactions, giving you peace of mind when setting up your company.

Do I need a business bank account?

There is no legal obligation for a limited company to open a business bank account; however, in practice it is almost impossible to operate without one. A limited company is a separate legal entity from its owners; therefore you should keep your personal and business finances separate.

What are the annual filings?

The annual filing requirements for a limited company in the UK include submitting a confirmation statement, annual accounts and Corporation Tax Return. Staying compliant with these filing requirements is essential for avoiding penalties and maintaining your company's good standing.

Will the director’s address be publicly available?

All UK company directors must report their home address to Companies House. The home address does not appear on the public record. The only reason a director’s home address would appear publicly is if the director chooses to use it as their service address.

1st Formations offers a Service Address Service which allows directors to use our prestigious Covent Garden address as their service address, helping to protect their privacy.

Do 1st Formations provide support after I form my company?

Yes, 1st Formations provide full telephone, email and online chat support for all customers during the lifetime of their companies. We also provide an Online Company Manager and a full range of company services including London company address services to help maintain and develop your company.

Our popular services

1st Formations provide many services to help you set up, maintain and develop your
business after company incorporation. Here is a selection of our most popular services.

Registered office address service thumbnail.

London Registered
Office Service

Learn More

Confirmation Statement
Service

Learn More

Full Company
Secretary Service

Learn More

Our Online
Company Manager

Learn More

Are you ready to
set up your company?

What you can expect from us...

1st Formations are authorised Companies House formation agents, and we are also a member of ACRA (the Association of Company Registration Agents) ensuring our company documentation is of the highest quality, always up-to-date and compliant with current regulations and legislation.

We are available and ready to support you every step of the way; from tentative initial enquires, to helping you choose a package, to guiding you through the company formation process.

If you need any assistance or you would like to form your company by telephone with one of our experts, give us a call at 020 3897 2233.

Once you are ready to start

It’s a simple matter of following our simple 4 step company formation process: Go to our homepage and find out if your company name is available; choose a package; select any company services you may require, checkout and pay; and complete our 'online company registration form'. This should take you no more than 15 minutes and your new company should be ready to trade within 24 hours.

As soon as your new company is incorporated, we will send you a digital copy of your company documents. Printed documents will take between 24 to 48 hours to reach you by post, and if your package included any address services, these will be set up for you within 3 to 5 working hours.

After company formation

Let’s just say our journey together has just started! 1st Formations provides free customer support for the lifetime of your company. So please call or email us if you need help.

We also provide a free Online Company Manager facility for all customers, where they can maintain and update their company records and details, without having to login and navigate Companies House website, and a full range of company services.

Limited Company

International

E-commerce

Other company packages

Address Services

Company Services

Office Services

Information

Guides

Useful

Company Formation

Start and grow your dream business

The simplest way to set up a UK company

Over 1,000,000 companies formed with 25,000 excellent customer reviews

Limited company formation packages

Limited Company

Free Business Bank Account

Free Online Company Manager

Free .com or .co.uk Domain Name

Confirmation Statement Service

Business Telephone Number

Digital Company Documents

Company Registers with First Entries

London Registered Office

London Service Address

Full Set of Hard Copy Company Documents

London Business Address

Telephone Answering

Managed Live Chat

Full Company Secretary Service

VAT Registration

PAYE Registration

Free 4 Hours of Meeting Room Hire

GDPR Compliance Package

Company formation in 4 simple steps

Choose a Company Name

Select a Company Formation Package

Additional Items and Checkout

Complete Your Company Details

What you need to know

What is a limited company?

How long does it take to register a new company?

Can I register a company on my own?

What information do I need to provide?

How do I get a business bank account?

What documents will I get after forming my company?

When can I start trading?

Will my residential address be publicly available?

Take the first step

Non-Residents Package

Eligible Countries

The best choice of business bank accounts

Barclays business bank account

NatWest start up business account

Monzo business bank account

HSBC Kinetic business current account

ANNA business bank account

Zempler business current account

WorldFirst UK Business Account – for non-UK residents

Tide business current account

Start your success story today

New to company formation?

Pick up a free business bank account

Pick up a free business bank account

Everything was in one place, and it was easy to use for somebody who didn’t really know what they were doing.

Grow your business with offers from our partners

The information you need to form a company

Company Name

Registered Office

Company Officers

Meet the people behind the companies

We are a carbon neutral business

Responsibility

Action

Commitment

See what our customers are saying on Trustpilot

Why register your company with 1st Formations?

We are obsessive about our customers

We have been able to greatly reduce our prices

We have the most knowledgeable Customer Service Team

Choose a
Company Name

Select a Company
Formation Package

Additional Items
and Checkout

Complete Your
Company Details

Meet the people
behind the companies

We are obsessive
about our customers

We have been able to
greatly reduce our prices

We have the most knowledgeable
Customer Service Team

Are you ready to
set up your company?