January is when many people finally act on the business idea they have carried around all year. If you want to set up a limited company in 2027, the short answer is that you can do it in a single day. UK limited company formation is a digital process, and GOV.UK indicates that online applications are typically completed within 24 hours, though this is not guaranteed. A smooth day depends on preparation, and since November 2025 that includes verifying your identity.
This checklist walks through each step in the order you will need it.
What do you need before you register a new company?
To register a new company in the UK, Companies House asks for a company name, a UK registered office address, a registered email address, a minimum of one director, one shareholder (minimum), details of anyone with significant control, a SIC code describing your activity, and a statement that the company’s purpose is lawful. Gather these first and the application itself takes far less time than most people expect.
Step 1: Verify your identity first
This is the step that catches people out. Identity verification became mandatory on 18 November 2025. New verifications from PSGs i.e. people with significant control and directors are required before a company can be incorporated or before they can be appointed to an existing one. You can verify directly with Companies House or through an authorised corporate service provider, usually with a passport or driving licence. Allow extra time in case of technical problems.
If you already hold another directorship, you only need to verify once.
Step 2: Choose and check your company name
Your name must not be the same as, or too similar to, one already on the register, and certain sensitive words need permission. Search the Companies House register before you commit. Also check the intellectual property register and your preferred domain name, because registering a company name does not give you trademark rights.
Step 3: Confirm your registered office address and email
Every limited company needs a registered office address in the UK, in the same part of the UK where the company is registered: England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. It is where an official post is sent, and it appears on the public record. Companies House requires an “appropriate address”, meaning a place where documents can be delivered and acknowledged. A PO box does not qualify.
From March 2024, companies must also provide a registered email address. It is not shown publicly, but Companies House uses it for official communication, so choose one you check regularly.
If you work from home and would rather not publish your personal address, a business address is a common alternative. BusinAssist is one option founders look at when they want a professional registered office separate from their home.
Step 4: List your directors, shareholders and PSCs
A private limited company needs at least one director, who must be at least 16 years old, and at least one shareholder. One person can be both. For each director you will need a full name, date of birth, nationality, occupation and a service address, which can differ from their home address.
You must also name each person with significant control. Generally, that means anyone holding more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or anyone who otherwise controls the company. For a sole founder, that is usually you.
Step 5: Pick your SIC code and share structure
Choose at least one Standard Industrial Classification code describing what the company will do. You can add up to four. Then decide how many shares to issue and at what value. Many small companies start with a small number of £1 shares, but the right structure depends on who is involved and your plans. If you are bringing in partners or investors, consider professional advice here. Most new companies use the model articles of association, which keeps the application simple.
Step 6: Submit and pay
Complete the application online and pay the fee. Since 1 February 2026 the standard incorporation fee has been £100, up from £50. Once Companies House accepts the application, you receive a certificate of incorporation with your company number, and your company legally exists.
What should you do in the first few weeks?
Incorporation is the beginning, not the end. Several deadlines follow quickly:
- Corporation Tax: register with HMRC within three months of starting business activity.
- Bank account: open a business account to keep company and personal money separate.
- First accounts: these are generally due 21 months after the date of incorporation, though your first Corporation Tax return can fall due sooner.
- Confirmation statement: this is filed every 12 months, and its fee rose from £34 to £50 in February 2026.
Put these dates in your calendar from day one, because late filing can bring penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to set up a limited company in the UK?
GOV.UK indicates that online applications are typically completed within 24 hours, though this is not guaranteed. Completing identity verification beforehand is what keeps the process to a single day.
How much does it cost to register a new company?
The standard Companies House incorporation fee has been £100 since 1 February 2026.
Do I need to verify my identity before UK limited company formation?
Yes. Starting 18/11/2025, new directors and PSCs must verify their identity before incorporation or appointment.
Do I need a registered email address?
Yes. Every company has had to provide one since March 2024. It is not shown on the public register.
Can I use my home address as my registered office?
Yes, if it is a UK address where documents can be delivered and acknowledged. It will appear on the public register, so some founders choose a business address instead.
How many directors do I need?
A privately owned company needs a minimum of one director, who must be at least 16. One person can also be the only shareholder.
The bottom line
To set up a limited company in a day, work in this order: verify identities, check the name, confirm the address and email, gather director and shareholder details, choose a SIC code, then submit. With the paperwork ready, UK limited company formation is far less daunting than it looks. Start the year with a checklist rather than a guess, and your new company will be on solid footing from day one.
