A limited company involves several different addresses. Here's what each one is, and whether it's publicly visible.
Registered Office
Official company address. Companies House and HMRC send correspondence here (including your UTR by post). Must be in the UK.
PUBLIC
Director's Correspondence Address
Also called the "service address". Where Companies House sends director notifications. Can be the same as the registered office.
PUBLIC
Director's Home Address
Where the director actually lives. Only shared with credit reference agencies — not shown on the public register.
PRIVATE
Principal Place of Business
Where the company carries out most of its activities. HMRC only — not on the public register. Can be same as registered office.
PRIVATE
Protect your home address. If you use your home as the registered office and correspondence address, it will be publicly visible on the Companies House register — searchable by anyone online. Use a virtual office address for both to keep your home off the register.
Virtual Office Address
A virtual office gives you a business address you can use as your registered office and correspondence address — keeping your home off the public register. Prices vary depending on city and package, typically ranging from ~£200 to ~£2,000 per year.
Three things must be in place before you can begin the online registration.
Verify your identity with Companies House
Every director and PSC must verify their identity through the GOV.UK One Login service. You'll receive an 11-character personal code (e.g. XLCNCC42223). You need a biometric passport (any country), UK driving licence, UK BRP, or UK BRC.
Have a UK address for the registered office
This will be publicly visible on the Companies House register. Can be your home address or a virtual office service. HMRC will send your Corporation Tax UTR to this address by post.
Have a debit/credit card or PayPal ready
The registration fee is £100. No other payment methods accepted online.
Don't skip identity verification. The registration service will block you at the very first step if you don't have personal codes for every director and PSC. Allow 10–15 minutes per person for the online ID check.
Basic information about the company you're forming.
Company name
"LIMITED" is added automatically. Check availability first at find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Names with "sensitive" words (e.g. British, Royal, Bank) need approval.
Registered office address
Full UK address including postcode. You'll enter the postcode and select from a list. This goes on the public register.
Jurisdiction
England and Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, or Wales. Must match where your registered office address is located.
SIC code (business activity)
Describes what the company does. You'll type a keyword (e.g. "accounting", "software") and select from a list. You can add multiple activities.
Email address for the application
Used to create your Companies House account. You'll also get registration updates here.
The registration also sets up your Corporation Tax with HMRC. You'll need these answers ready.
Principal place of business
Where the company will carry out most of its activities. Not published — HMRC only. Can be same as registered office.
HMRC contact phone number
A mobile number for HMRC to contact you about Corporation Tax. Optional but recommended.
When will the company start trading?
Three options: same day as registration, a specific future date, or "no plans yet". This sets the start of your first Corporation Tax accounting period.
Non-bank loan interest, royalties, or overseas income in first 3 months?
Usually "No" for most new companies. Say "Yes" only if a director has loaned money to the company, you'll use someone else's patent, or you have overseas investments.
Is this company replacing another business?
Usually "No" for brand new companies. "Yes" if you're incorporating a sole trader business or taking over an existing company.
Typical answers for a new company: Principal place of business = registered office. Trading starts on registration date. No non-bank loans or overseas income. Not replacing another business.
You need at least one director. Gather the following for each person who'll be a director.
For each director
Full legal name
Title (optional), first name, middle name(s), last name. Must be full names, not initials. Also: has this person used a different name for business in the last 20 years?
Nationality
Can add multiple nationalities.
Date of birth
Day, month, year. Must be at least 16 years old. Only month and year will be shown on the public register.
Companies House personal code
The 11-character code from identity verification (e.g. XLCNCC42223). This will NOT appear on the public register.
Correspondence address (service address)
Where Companies House sends notifications to this director. Can be the registered office. This IS publicly visible.
Home address (residential address)
Where the director actually lives. NOT publicly visible (only shared with credit agencies). Must be their actual home.
Country the director lives in
Auto-determined from the home address if UK. Specify if living abroad.
Every company needs at least one shareholder with at least one share. Directors can also be shareholders.
Who are the shareholders?
The service will ask if each director is also a shareholder. You can also add non-director shareholders (you'll need their name and address).
How many shares each?
Choose "1 share" or enter a specific amount. If there's only one shareholder, they own 100% regardless.
Share value
Default is £1 per share. The shareholder must pay this amount to the company. Most people choose £1.
Share type
Default is "Ordinary" shares in GBP — one vote per share, right to dividends, right to capital on wind-up. Only change if you need multiple share classes.
Standard setup for a solo founder: 1 share, £1 value, Ordinary type. That's it — you own 100% of the company for £1. You can always issue more shares later.
A few choices you'll need to make during registration. Here are our recommendations.
Articles of Association
Rules for how the company is run. The service offers standard "Model Articles" which work for most companies. If you choose No, you'll need to write and upload your own.
Recommended: Use model articlesRegistered Office Address
This goes on the public register. If you don't want your home address publicly visible, use a virtual office service.
Recommended: Use a service address if privacy mattersDirector's Correspondence Address
Also publicly visible. Can be the same as the registered office. Using the same virtual office keeps your home address completely off the register.
Recommended: Same as registered officeFiling Reminders
Companies House can email you when accounts and confirmation statements are due. Free and useful.
Recommended: Yes
Companies House registration fee
from £100
Virtual address (optional)
~£200 – £2,000/yr
Varies depending on city and package selected.
Processing time: Online registration is usually processed within 24 hours. You'll receive a certificate of incorporation by email confirming your company number and date of formation. Your Corporation Tax UTR will arrive by post within about 2 weeks.
Once your company is registered, some things happen automatically and others you'll need to action yourself.
Happens automatically
✓
Certificate of incorporation
Sent to your email within 24 hours. Confirms your company number and formation date.
✓
Corporation Tax registration
HMRC registers you automatically. Your UTR arrives by post to the registered office within ~2 weeks.
✓
Compliance deadlines begin
Confirmation statement due annually. First accounts due 21 months after incorporation. First CT return due 12 months after end of first accounting period.
You'll need to do
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Open a business bank account
You'll need your certificate of incorporation and company number. Most banks let you apply online.
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Register for VAT (if applicable)
Required once taxable turnover exceeds £90,000. Can register voluntarily before that.
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Set up payroll (if paying yourself a salary)
Register as an employer with HMRC. Required before your first pay date.
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Keep your records from day one
Start tracking income, expenses, and receipts immediately. You'll need these for your accounts and tax returns.