UK Company Formation, Set Up Properly from Day One
Check your proposed company name, choose the right SIC code, and complete your formation details online. Our qualified team reviews everything before filing your application with Companies House.
Add a professional Birmingham registered office, director service address or virtual office as part of the same guided application.
Submitting an application doesn't register your company or take payment — our team reviews everything and emails you an invoice before we file with Companies House.
Step 1 — Check your name
Is your company name available?
Search Companies House to see if your proposed name looks available, matches an existing company, or is likely to attract an objection.
Names for a private limited company must end in “Limited” or “Ltd”. If you leave this off, we'll add “Ltd” for you automatically.
What's Included
Everything you need to get started
Companies House Name Check
Search your proposed name against Companies House before you apply, with clear warnings for close matches or sensitive words.
SIC Code Selection
Search the official SIC code list yourself, or describe your business and let our team choose the right code for you.
Company Incorporation at Companies House
Once your application is reviewed, we handle the filing with Companies House so your company is set up correctly from day one.
Memorandum & Articles of Association
We prepare your company's constitutional documents using the Model Articles prescribed under the Companies Act 2006.
Director, Shareholder & PSC Setup
Your guided application collects everything needed for director appointments, share allocations and the PSC register in one place.
Post-Incorporation Guidance
Once your company is live, we walk you through next steps including HMRC registration, bank accounts, and ongoing compliance.
Optional Add-ons
Build the setup your business needs
Add any of these as part of your guided application — nothing is pre-selected, and you'll see an itemised total before you submit.
How It Works
From name check to incorporation
Check your proposed company name
Search Companies House for legally equivalent or similar names, and check for sensitive words, before you commit to a name.
Complete the guided application
Work through a clear, step-by-step application covering your company details, directors, shareholders, PSCs and any add-on services you'd like.
We review your information
Our qualified team checks everything you've submitted, confirms your SIC code if you asked us to choose, and follows up if anything needs clarifying or if a Companies House personal code is still outstanding.
We email your invoice and payment details
No payment is taken during the application. Once we've reviewed everything, we'll email you an invoice with our bank details and payment instructions.
We complete the filing once everything's received
After payment and all required information — including any outstanding Companies House personal codes — have been received, we file your application with Companies House and send you your incorporation documents.
Submitting your application doesn't register your company or take payment — our team reviews the details, emails you an invoice, and files with Companies House once everything's received.
Why Choose Us
Online application, human review
Most online formation agents give you a bare DIY form and leave you to it. We're qualified accountants who review every application before it's filed — checking your name, confirming your SIC code, and flagging anything that needs a closer look. Every formation is reviewed by a person, because no two businesses are the same.
IFAC Member Firm
Regulated & compliant
Fast Turnaround
Once your review is complete
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about UK company formation
How do I check if my company name is available?
Use the company name checker at the top of this page. It searches Companies House for legally equivalent names, warns you about close matches, and flags any sensitive words that may need permission. This is an initial check, not a reservation — Companies House makes the final decision when we file your application.
Does starting the application reserve or approve my company name?
No. Neither the name checker nor submitting your application reserves or guarantees your company name. Availability can change before filing, and Companies House has the final say. We recommend also checking the UK trade mark register if brand protection matters to you.
What happens after I submit my application?
You'll get an email confirmation with your application reference straight away. Our team then reviews everything you've provided, confirms your company name and SIC code, and checks whether any Companies House personal codes are still outstanding for your directors or PSCs. We'll then email you an invoice with our bank details — we file with Companies House once payment and all required information have been received.
Does completing this form register my company?
No. Completing this form submits your company formation details to Companies999 for review — it does not automatically incorporate, file or register your company, and no payment is taken. We review your application, email you an invoice with our bank details, and complete the Companies House filing once payment and all required information — including any outstanding personal codes — have been received.
How long does it take to form a UK company?
Once we've reviewed your application, sent your invoice, and received both payment and all required information (including identity verification for everyone involved), online filing with Companies House is usually processed within 24 hours, and often within just a few hours.
How much does it cost to register a company in the UK?
Companies999's formation package is £150 + VAT, and already includes the £100 Companies House digital incorporation fee (as of 1 February 2026) — you're not charged that fee separately. This covers reviewing your application, preparing your Articles, and filing with Companies House. No payment is taken when you submit your application — we email you an invoice once we've reviewed everything.
Do I need to be a UK resident to form a UK company?
No. There is no residency requirement for directors or shareholders of a UK limited company. You can live anywhere in the world and still form and run a UK company. You will need a UK registered office address, which Companies999 can provide.
What is a SIC code and how do I choose one?
A SIC code (Standard Industrial Classification) is a 5-digit code that describes your company's main business activity, taken from the official Companies House condensed list. In the application you can search and pick your own code, or describe your business and ask our team to choose the most appropriate one for you.
What is the new Companies House identity verification requirement?
Since 18 November 2025, Companies House requires every new director and person with significant control to verify their identity — either directly via GOV.UK One Login, or through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider like Companies999. Once verified, Companies House issues a personal code, which our application asks for. If you don't have one yet, you can still submit your application and provide it to us afterwards — we just can't complete the filing until it's received. We also carry out our own anti-money laundering checks via our partner Simplified.id. We never collect passport, driving licence or proof-of-address documents through this website — verification happens through Simplified.id's secure system and the official GOV.UK service.
Can I be the sole director and sole shareholder?
Yes. A UK limited company only needs one director, and that person can also be the sole shareholder. You don't need a company secretary either — it's optional for private limited companies.
Can a company or other corporate body hold shares in my new company?
This online application currently supports individual shareholders only. If a company or other corporate body will hold shares, please contact us so we can complete the formation manually. Companies House itself does permit corporate shareholders — this is simply a limitation of this online application, not a legal restriction.
What is a Person with Significant Control (PSC)?
A PSC is anyone who holds more than 25% of shares or voting rights, or who has the right to appoint or remove the majority of directors. Most small companies have at least one PSC — often the owner-director. PSC details must be reported to Companies House and kept on a public register, though residential addresses are kept private.
What are my obligations after forming a company?
You must file annual accounts and a confirmation statement with Companies House, pay Corporation Tax and file a CT600 return with HMRC, maintain a registered office address, keep statutory records up to date, and register for PAYE if you employ anyone (including yourself as a director taking a salary).
Is my information kept secure and confidential?
Yes. Your application is submitted securely to our team, and we don't collect identity documents through this website — those are handled separately through our AML partner's secure verification system. See our Privacy Policy for full details on how we handle your information.
Why should I use a formation agent instead of doing it myself?
You can form a company directly with Companies House, but a formation agent handles the process for you and ensures everything is filed correctly. Companies999 combines a guided online application with review by qualified accountants, plus optional add-ons like a registered office address, director's service address and ongoing accountancy support — so your company starts on the right footing from day one.
Read more about how we handle your information in our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. Prefer to talk it through first? Get in touch.
Ready to get started?
Check your company name and start your guided application — it only takes a few minutes, and our team reviews everything before it's filed.