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Digital and printed company documents. Perfect if you wish to set up a bank account.
£19.99
Digital and printed documents, two address services and and VAT registration. Protects your privacy and comes with some useful extras.
£49.99
Digital and printed documents, three address services, VAT registration and Confirmation Statement. Everything your new company needs to get started today!
£94.99
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. If you need your company to be formed as soon as possible or on a certain date, it is advisable to purchase the guaranteed sameday service. This service can be added to your company package during the order process at a cost of £22.99.
VAT registration usually takes up to 30 days, but can take longer in some instances.
If you order a business bank account referral, you should receive a telephone call within 48 hours from your chosen bank inviting you to a meeting. Lloyds is usually able to offer you a meeting within seven days, and can have your account open at your appointed meeting.
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 5 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).
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.
Companies House also sends the authentication code to the registered office address of all new companies - usually within 14 days of the date of incorporation.
How do I keep my home address private ?
All company directors are required to supply two addresses to Companies House: a residential address, which is kept in confidence, and also a service address, which is placed on the public record. You can keep your home address private by using our service address. The best way to do this is by choosing one of our packages that includes a service address at a discounted rate, for example: The Privacy, Privacy Plus 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. An LLP’s management structure and taxation is very different to a limited company, and it is worth investigating fully before deciding on whether to go Ltd or LLP.
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 £14.99 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 All Inclusive Package provides digital and high quality printed company documents delivered by post, all 3 London address services that will protect your privacy and ensure your company has an excellent corporate image, and much more.
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 £14.99 plus VAT by using our website, saving you £200 to £300 in solicitor or accountancy fees.
A package for non-residents who wish to set up a UK limited company, including:
We have partnered with TransferWise to offer our non-UK resident customers a free UK business account to send, spend, and receive multiple currencies with the real exchange rate.
You will get your own UK account number and sort code, Eurozone IBAN, and US account and routing number for free in minutes, regardless of where you are in the world.
Also included in the package price is the use of our Covent Garden address for one year. We will provide you with 3 address services; Registered Office, Service Address, and Business Address.
Other benefits include free access to our secure Online Company Manager, where you can view, maintain and change your company details with Companies House for the lifetime of your company.
If you were to buy the items included in this package individually, it would cost a total of £532.99. Therefore, at a discounted price of £124.99, you will enjoy a huge saving of £408.00 plus VAT.
Through our extensive experience in working with non-UK residents, we understand the problems many have obtaining UK business banking facilities. Please find below our best options:
The simplest and quickest business banking solution for non-UK residents, and so we have included this option within our non-UK residents’ package. It provides free international business banking with worldwide coverage, allowing you to send money to 70+ countries, and receive and hold 40+ currencies.
After your company is formed using our website, we will send you a link to create your business account and you will very quickly receive your UK bank sort code and account number.
Another option is use Tide, a leading online bank account provider, who offer business account facilities to non-UK residents, with quick and easy online account set-up.
A referral to Tide for non-UK residents is offered to our customers on our website during the company formation process; however, it is dependent on your company’s business activity, as to whether you will be shown this offer. You will require a UK mobile phone number to apply for a Tide account.
Many non-UK residents choose to open a bank account in their own country as opposed to in the UK; however, a bank in another country will normally require you to legalise or ‘apostille’ your UK company documents. Our Apostilled Documents Service, can be added to any of our company formation packages on our Checkout page.
* All registered office and service address mail (official government mail) will be scanned and emailed to you free of charge. Business address mail will be forwarded to you at Royal Mail International postal rates plus 15% handling charge.
** Your printed company documents will be sent to you free of charge by DHL Express Worldwide Courier Service.
No, you can register a UK limited company from anywhere in the world. The only requirements are that you have one director and one shareholder (the same person can assume both positions) and your company has a registered office address in the UK (included in the Non-Residents Package).
No. You can incorporate a limited company using any of our packages; however, this one is specifically designed for non-UK residents and represents the best value for money.
Yes. You can choose to use another address if you would prefer. Please remember, your Registered Office address must be a UK address. The package cost will remain the same should you choose not to use any of the inclusive address services.
All mail will be forwarded to you, regardless of where in the world you are located. All mail is covered by one of the three address services included in this package: registered office and service address mail will be scanned and emailed to you, free of charge. General business mail will be forwarded at the cost of the Royal Mail postage plus a 15% handling fee.
This is a facility which allows you to make changes to your company easily. Just file your updates using our website and we will take care of the rest, making sure everything is kept up to date at Companies House.
The confirmation statement is a document that must be filed annually, providing Companies House with up to date information about your company. This package includes the preparation and filing of your first confirmation statement.
This package does not cover the filing of company accounts, but we will introduce you to an accountant who can help with this. We have partnered with one of the UK’s top accountancy firms and we will put you in contact with them for a free initial consultation. Please note, you should agree all fees directly with the accountancy firm.
Registered office and service address mail (official government mail) will be scanned and emailed to you free of charge. General business correspondence will be forwarded to you at the cost of the Royal Mail postal charge plus a 15% handling fee.
After the first year, address services can be renewed at the standard cost you see today.
This package includes three address services which can be renewed at a total cost of £161.00, and the filing of your confirmation statement which can also be renewed at a cost of £34.99.
« 1st Formations had the most useful and competitive packages and their ordering process seemed so much easier than incorporating directly with Companies House. »
1ST FORMATIONS CUSTOMER
