FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR COMPANY FORMATION

1. COMPANY REGISTRATION PROCESS
1.1. How do I know if my company name is available?
You can search for your desired company name on the homepage and our name checker will automatically let you know if it is available or not. Your company name must be unique and end with either ‘Limited’ or ‘LTD’ for successful registration.
1.2. When will my new company be incorporated?
We will incorporate your new company once your application is completed on our website and then approved by Companies House, usually between 3-6 hours (depending on workload). You will automatically receive an email notifying you when your new company is officially incorporated along with digital documents.
1.3. How can I incorporate my company immediately?
For urgencies, simply add the Fast Track Service in your package purchase for our 2-hour incorporation, this will guarantee your company is incorporated on the same day. You must complete your application on our website correctly, and then submit before 3pm, on a working day. If your application is made after 3PM, then your company will be incorporated by 9AM the following working day.
1.4. If I complete the application form on the weekend. When will my company be incorporated?
Any submissions sent on the weekend or on a bank holiday will be incorporated the next working day (depending on Companies House workload). All applications must be approved by Companies House, open Monday to Friday (7am-6pm) to which they receive numerous applications, and you will be added to a waiting queue.
1.5. If I select your Fast Track Service on a weekend when will my company be incorporated?
We can guarantee your company will be given the highest priority and so incorporated by 10AM on the next working day you submit your application. For this process, simply select our Fast Track Service in the checkout stage of your package purchase.
1.6. Do you register Non-Profit or CIC companies?
We only register Limited companies in the UK (Limited by shares). Unfortunately, we can not help you with Non-Profit or CIC Companies.
1.7. May I have assistance in completing my company registration?
Yes, of course. We will be happy to help register your new company. An experienced professional will support and guide you through every step of the company application process. This is a complimentary free service.
1.8. Do you help with the Companies House company formation setup?
Yes, that is the service we provide for you. Once you select one of our company formation packages we then submit it to Companies House to be approved. The Companies House fee is included.
1.9. Where can I read more about company formation?
You can read more information on our blog about company formation, we have free in-depth guides available to download just for you. We cover before, during and after the company formation process to make sure we satisfy all your business needs.
1.10. What are the advantages of registering as a limited company?
It is the most popular company structure for good reason. There are many benefits forming a limited company which we can provide for free such as business bank account, business telephone number and accountancy consultation to help start your business off the right way.
1.11. I have already incorporated my company, can you help me in setting up a bank account?
Yes, we can. Please create an account on our website and import your company details. You can then select the bank account you wish to open which we then forward it to concerned bank.

2. COMPANY APPLICATION PROCESS
2.1. What information do I need to complete my application?
You will need to provide your full name, residential address, date of birth, nationality, business occupation, telephone number, town of birth and eye colour to form your company.
2.2. What is the ideal suffix for my company?
Companies House accept either LTD or Limited. There is no difference between the two suffixes, it is purely a personal choice.
Note: It is mandatory that you add a suffix to your company name.
2.3. What is the minimum age required to be a company officer?
16 years or older.
2.4. I don’t have an office premises. Will my home address be visible on the public register?
Unfortunately, yes, your home address will be shown on the public register and therefore viewed by anyone. However, we provide our prestigious Registered Office service based in Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham to keep your address private. This service is included in a few of our packages at a discounted price.
2.5. How many directors should my company have?
Your company must have at least one director over the age of 16. There is no maximum limit on the number of directors a company should have. With our system, you can incorporate a company with a maximum of four directors.
2.6. Do I need a secretary for my company?
Since the Companies Act 2006, private limited companies are not legally required to appoint a company secretary. It is your choice to have a company secretary, however if you are a sole director or a family business we recommend you not to appoint a secretary due to the additional duties it brings.
2.7. How many shares should I have?
Companies House require at least one share minimum for a limited company, however there is no limit on the number of shares held by a shareholder. From our experience, we recommend 100 shares valued at £1 each to ensure you can transfer shares in the future (if required) without having to increase or amend existing shareholding structures.
2.8. What is a PSC?
A person with significant control (PSC) is an individual who owns more than 25% of the company and meets one or more of the following conditions:
a.) Owns more than 25% of the company’s share
b.) Holds more than 25% of the company’s voting rights
c.) Holds the right to appoint or remove the majority of directors
d.) Has the right to, or actually exercises significant influence or control
2.9. What are they key points to remember while registering a UK Limited company?
a.) Your company name must end with either ‘Limited’ or ‘LTD’
b.) Your company must have a minimum of one director and one shareholder appointed (one person can be both)
c.) Your company’s registered office address should be in the UK
d.) The name and address of all directors or shareholders appointed must be submitted
e.) The minimum number of shares for a UK limited company is £0.01 and there is no maximum limit

3. POST COMPANY FORMATION
3.1. When will I receive my company documents?
As soon as Companies House registers your company, you will receive an automated email attached with digital copies of your company documents. All printed copies of these documents will be posted to you by Royal Mail.
3.2. Can I make changes to my company after incorporation?
Yes, any changes can easily be made after incorporation using our online customer portal, in which you take control of all your company information. You can also download documents at any time for your personal preference.
3.3. Do I need to inform Companies House of any changes?
We will inform Companies House for you, as soon as the changes are made they will be updated on the public register.
3.4. How do I close (dissolve) my company?
You can close your company with our assistance, simply contact us via email at contact@companies999.com or call us on 0121 236 8560. We can help you file a DS01 form and notify Companies House for you.
3.5. Can my Company trade under a different name?
Yes, your company can, provided the legal name is clearly displayed. This can be done by including the following statement:‘[Trading Name] is the trading name of [Official Company name]’.
3.6. Where do I have to display my company name?
You must display your company name on any signs, stationary and promotional material (e.g. company documents, letters and websites).
3.7. Can I transfer shares or issue more shares?
Yes, you can transfer shares anytime to anyone and you may even increase your company’s share capital by issuing more shares. These actions would require approval from the director of the company. There is no limit on how many shares you can issue for your company, unless the articles of association contain a provision of authorised share capital.
3.8. Do I need a business bank account for my company?
You do not legally need to have a business bank account however it is better for your company finances if you do have one for the purposes of tax and trade. Please visit our blog for more information regarding the importance of a business bank account.
3.9. Do I need to inform Companies House of any changes?
Companies House do need to be informed of any changes and we can do that for you. Changes can be made using our online customer portal, in which you take control of all your company information, and we update Companies House

4. OFFICE SERVICES
4.1. What is a Registered Office?
Like a natural person, a company has a ‘home’ address, where legal documents and notices may be served. This address is known as its registered office and, among other things, determines the company’s VAT and corporation tax office and the tax office dealing with any PAYE. This is the official address for serving of official notices, including notice of court actions against the company to recover monies owed.
When a company is formed, there is an obligation to register information with the Registrar of Companies, and subsequently to register changes to this information. This will include the names and address of the persons forming the company and the company’s registered office
4.2. What is a Service Address?
A service address is the official correspondence address for company directors, company secretaries and shareholders. It is where they will receive their official government mail. A service address is a legal requirement and the address details are displayed on the public record at Companies House.
4.3. What is the difference between the Registered Office and Service Address?
The Registered Office is used to hide the company address from public registers, it’s required for all UK Limited Companies. Whereas the Director Service Address is used to hide the residential address of the company director, shareholder or secretary, this is an optional service we provide.
4.4. What is a Virtual Office?
A Virtual Office is a cost-effective way to professionally represent your company working from anywhere at any time. A Virtual Office relives the stress of cleaning, maintenance, equipment and liability insurance, compared to the inflated prices of renting/buying your own workplace.
It essentially ensures your business with a physical mailing address to apply to your website, email signatures, business cards etc to let the world know about your prestigious base of operations. With just as many benefits as a physical office, a virtual office is essential to raise your company’s profile.
4.5. I purchased your Registered Office Service. When will this be updated on Companies House?
If you are a customer of Companies999, we will change this on your behalf for free and send you the confirmation.
If you are a new customer, you can send us your Companies Authentication code (you can do this whilst buying the service). As part of account opening process, we will notify Companies House on your behalf and send you confirmation.
4.6. Can I have more than one company use your registered office service?
Certainly. You can purchase the registered office service for more than one company.
4.7. Can I have more than one company use your virtual office services?
Certainly. You can purchase the virtual office service for as many companies as you like. Please note that the subscription is limited to one company each.
4.8. I have already incorporated my company, can I use your address services?
You can indeed. Our Registered Office and Service address will handle Government Mail for you while our Virtual Office will handle other mail e.g. your business bank mail etc.
One exception for this is codes provided by Google, Bing etc where your company would be advertised globally showing our address. If you require these types of codes, we will only provide if you purchase the Annual Virtual office subscription. Monthly, Quarterly or Half-Yearly virtual office subscription is not valid for these types of advertising codes.
4.9. Do you send the original documents of my mail or do you keep them?
We do keep the original and send you a scanned copy via email. However, if you would like the original copy you can either collect in office during our working hours or we will forward the original to you, this would charge the normal Royal Mail costs plus a 50p admin fee.
4.10. What is official Government mail and where do you forward these?
Any documents from government bodies such as HMRC, Companies House, Government Gateway Office of National Statistics, Intellectual Property Office, Department for Works & Pensions (DWP).
Your mails will be forwarded to the address you provide as part of signing up process. If you change your address, please let us know your new forwarding address via email ( contact@companies999.com ).
4.11. How secure is your office to keep my mail?
We guarantee to keep your mail safe. Our office is locked before and after working hours, and we store all mail categorically in secure cabinets. Nobody can enter the building without authorized access therefore only our team can access mail.
4.12. Who opens the mail for my business?
A member of our team opens to scan and send mail to you. We always take the correct measures to ensure the confidentiality of our clients.
4.13. How will I know when my company receives mail?
We check the mail daily, as soon as we receive mail addressed to your company we will email you to let you know. Then, depending on your desired choice we will Scan or Post it. Alternatively, you can collect mail at our office during working hours with prior arrangement.
4.14. How long will you keep my mail?
We will open all the mail as soon as we receive it, unless you instruct us not to. We usually keep mail for one week before shredding these securely. If you wish to arrange a collection or would like us to forward the mails to you, please let us know and we will arrange for the same. Please note there will be a small charge for postage (handling charge).
4.15. What are your Handling charges?
We charge for the postage, envelope and 50p for admin cost. To keep your costs down, we only post the mail when you instruct us.
4.16. How do I pay for the Handling charges?
Once you instruct us, we will prepare an invoice and send you. You can pay us via bank transfer with the invoice number being the payment reference. Once the payment is received we will post the letters the same day.
4.17. Would a signature be required to collect the post forwarded by you?
We only send by 1st class post. So no signature is required.
4.18. Do you accept parcels on my behalf?
Unfortunately, we will not accept parcels. This is due to the associated risk of damaging client’s goods and limitations on our physical storage capabilities.
4.19. I am a Sole Trader. Can I use your Registered Office and Director Service address?
The Registered Office and Directors Service Address are strictly for Limited Companies. For Sole Traders, you can use our Virtual Office Service, with our address that includes unlimited scans, unlimited post and mail forwarding for your business.
4.20. Where is your office located for the address services?
Suite 2A, Blackthorn House, St Pauls Square, Birmingham, B3 1RL
4.21. Can I use your office address on my website?
Yes, you can do so, after you purchase our services. Our address can be used on Websites, Company Stationery etc.

Frequently Asked Questions