UK Lite Pack 1 Y + Company Formation

Company formations can be completed in as little as 3 working hours (excluding weekends and UK bank holidays), depending on the workload at Companies House. When you place an order on our website, your request is instantly sent to Companies House using their Electronic Filing system. We will notify you via email once your company is incorporated, along with your company number.

Please note that applications submitted on weekends or UK bank holidays will be processed on the next working day, subject to the workload and the accuracy of the application.

Yes, you can be the only person listed as an officer when forming a limited company. A limited company requires at least one individual to run or own it, unless it's structured as a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), which requires a minimum of two people. For companies limited by shares or by guarantee, it's perfectly fine to have just one person as the director and owner, and this will be reflected in the company's public records at Companies House. Additionally, a secretary is no longer mandatory when forming a company.

Please note: This applies to limited companies by shares and limited by guarantee, but not to LLPs.

As soon as your company application has been successfully validated by Companies House (usually within 1 working day of submission), your incorporation documents will be automatically uploaded to our system. You can download them anytime from your Company Details page in the "My Companies" section of your account.

Once there, scroll down to the 'My Company Documents' section where you can access and download your:

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Articles of Association
• Memorandum of Association

Additionally, if your company is Limited by Shares, you can download your share certificates via the shareholder section on the Company Details page.

Yes, as part of our assisted company formation service (via email and phone), we automatically verify all the details provided in your application. Our team will review key elements such as the availability and spelling of the company name, address formatting, dates of birth, and all required documents.

If any corrections are needed, we will make them, or contact you directly if there are any uncertainties, ensuring your application is error-free before submission to Companies House. This process greatly reduces the risk of rejection, so you can feel confident that your details are thoroughly checked and corrected as necessary.

A shareholder is an individual or entity that owns shares in a limited company, sharing ownership with other shareholders (if applicable). A subscriber, on the other hand, refers to someone who was a shareholder at the time the company was incorporated. While subscribers may not remain shareholders for the company's entire lifespan, they are permanently recorded as the initial shareholders or founders of the company.

A Company Limited by Shares is the most common type of limited company. It is owned by shareholders, with their liability limited to the value of the shares they own. These companies are typically profit-oriented and will have either "LIMITED" or "LTD" at the end of their company name. This structure allows shareholders to protect their personal assets, as their liability is restricted to their shareholding in the company.  

Technically, there are no age restrictions on appointing someone as a shareholder. However, appointing a person under the age of 18 can lead to challenges in the future, such as difficulties with contract signing, opening bank accounts, and dealing with parental consents or capital gains tax implications.

We recommend consulting with a business advisor or accountant if you are considering appointing a minor as a shareholder.

There is no set limit on the number of shares a limited company can issue. When forming a company limited by shares, you must issue at least one share. Several factors should be considered when determining the number of shares, such as the capital you need to raise, whether there is enough cash available to cover the issued capital, and the decision-making stipulations outlined in the company's articles of association.

By default, a company is incorporated with 1 share valued at 1 GBP, but this can be adjusted based on the company's needs. If you are unsure about how to structure your share capital, it’s advisable to consult with a business advisor.

When forming a private limited company by shares in the UK, here is what you need to know:

Information to be provided by the client:

• Proof of ID and address
• Preferred company name and description of business activity
• Details of the director(s) and, optionally, the company secretary
• Share capital and details of shareholders
• Information about People with Significant Control (PSC) (we will prepare the PSC documentation based on the details you provide)

What we will provide:

• A registered company address for your business
• Preparation of the Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&As)
• PSC documentation based on your provided information

The individuals required to provide identification are the account holder, directors, and People with Significant Control (PSCs). According to legislation, anyone who holds significant influence or control over the company, and is involved in important decision-making, must undergo ID verification.

As of late 2023, under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, Companies House will enforce this rule. All company officers must be ID verified before any applications or requests are submitted to Companies House for approval.

Completing the online ID check with Credas' digital ID software is quick and easy. You will need the following:

• A valid government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence (not expired)
• Proof of residential address from within the last 3 months, such as a bank statement or utility bill
• A device capable of taking a live selfie, such as a smartphone or webcam

Credas' facial recognition technology will verify your identity by matching your selfie with the photo on your ID. For more details, please refer to our Proof of ID and Address Requirements [Comprehensive Guide].

We will not be able to activate or provide any services to customers (or companies) who are unable to successfully complete our identity verification checks.

Yes, all limited companies can update their Registered Office address at any point during the company’s lifespan. However, the new address must be located within the same country where the company was originally registered. For example, a company registered in England and Wales can only move its Registered Office to another address within that same jurisdiction. The table below provides a clear overview:

Our service is available to anyone who is either considering registering a company in England & Wales or already has a limited company registered there.

Yes, you can change the address of your Registered Office at any time after setting up your company, as long as the new address remains within the same country. If you do update your Registered Office, you must notify Companies House immediately. Additionally, ensure that all business stationery, correspondence, and your company website display the new address.

Our service is available to anyone thinking of registering a company in England (and Wales) or who already has a limited company registered in England.

Yes, you can use our Registered Office address as your service (correspondence) address. This service is ideal for company directors, secretaries, persons of significant control, or shareholders who want to keep their residential address private. By purchasing our Registered Office address service, you can ensure your home address remains confidential.