Question 1

What happens if I make a mistake?

Accepted Answer

Don’t worry! All mistakes can be fixed after your company is formed, and most of the time it will not cost you anything to rectify matters.

To reduce the risk of errors, we recommend you purchase the pre-submission review service - available at a cost of £4.99 during the ordering process. This will ensure one of our experts reviews your company application and corrects any errors before it is submitted to Companies House.

Question 2

Can I set up a dormant company?

Accepted Answer

A dormant company is not a type of company that can be registered at Companies House; however, you can make your new company dormant simply by informing HMRC that you have not started trading, and have no plans to do so in the immediate future.

Therefore, you would like them to classify your company as dormant. This can be done after you receive your company’s UTR (unique tax reference) number, which is sent to the registered office around two to three weeks after the date of company incorporation.

Question 3

If I buy a service address, can I use it for more than one company?

Accepted Answer

No. If you purchase our service address, one director will be able to use it for one company only. Should you wish to use our address as your service address for another company, a separate purchase is required.

Question 4

Can I buy a digital package now and upgrade later?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can choose a digital package now, and this will provide you with a limited company. If, at a later date, you wish to buy any additional items that are included in more expensive packages, they can be purchased separately from your customer area. However, they will not be available at the discounted rates of the packages.

Question 5

How long will it take to complete the whole process?

Accepted Answer

It will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete our online company application form. We will then send the application to Companies House, which will usually take around 3 to 6 working hours to approve a company - although this time period is dependent on Companies House workload, and sometimes it can take longer.

VAT registration usually takes up to 30 days, but can take longer in some instances.

Question 6

Do I need to sign anything?

Accepted Answer

Our company formation service is 100% online, and there is no need to supply any documentation or signatures. Just follow our simple 4 step company set up process, and your new company will usually be set up within 3 to 6 working hours (subject to Companies House workload).

Question 7

Don't I need a solicitor or accountant to do this?

Accepted Answer

No. You can very easily form your limited company or LLP from as little as £12.99 plus VAT by using our website, saving you £200 to £300 in solicitor or accountancy fees.

Question 8

What information do I need to have at hand to form a company?

Accepted Answer

You will need a company name, a registered office address, and the details of the director and shareholder (which can be the same person) - name, date of birth, occupation, nationality and home address. You will also need a SIC code (business activity code) - but don't worry, we provide a list of codes for you to choose from.

Question 9

When do I get my authentication code?

Accepted Answer

Question 10

How do I keep my home address private ?

Accepted Answer

All new registered companies require supplying 2 official addresses that are placed on the public record - a registered office address and a director's service address. Most people do not want to use their home address, as they would like to maintain their privacy.

The best way to do this is by choosing one of our packages that includes a registered office and service address at a discounted rate, for example: The Privacy, Professional, Prestige or All Inclusive.

Question 11

Which type of company is best for me?

Accepted Answer

If you are forming a company with the objective of making a profit, then the standard company type for most commercial business activities is a private company limited by shares (or, in short, a 'limited' or 'ltd' company). You will find our range of limited company packages above.

For those wishing to form a non-profit company, co-operative, association, membership organisation, etc., the company type you should go for is a private company limited by guarantee. Please have a look at our Limited by Guarantee Package for further information.

1st Fornations also provides limited liability partnership (LLP) company registration, which is similar to a traditional partnership, but enjoys the same limited liability as a limited company. This type of company is popular with professionals such as solicitors and accountants.

Question 12

How much does it cost, and what do I receive?

Accepted Answer

You can register a limited company that is ready to trade, from as little as £2.99 (plus £100 Companies House Fee), by choosing our Digital Package. This cost includes the Companies House filing fee, so there is nothing else to pay.

As soon as your new company is registered by Companies House (usually within 24 hours), you will receive an email containing your certificate of incorporation, a memorandum and articles of association and a share certificate for each shareholder.

You can, of course, choose one of our more comprehensive packages - which will provide many useful services. For example, our All Inclusive Package provides all 3 address services that will protect your privacy and provide an excellent corporate image, VAT registration, secretarial support and much more.

Compare our company registration packages

Digital

Privacy

All Inclusive

Limited Company

Free Business Bank Account

Free Online Company Manager

Free .com or .co.uk Domain Name

Filing of the First Confirmation Statement

Business Telephone Number Free for 3 Months

Certificate of Incorporation, Mem & Arts and Share Certificate(s)

Company Registers with First Entries

Registered Office Service London WC2, for 12 months

1 x Service Address London WC2, for 12 months

Business Address Service London WC2, for 12 months (worth £96.00)

VAT Registration (use at anytime)

PAYE Registration (use at anytime)

Free 4 Hours of Meeting Room Hire

Shopify - 3 Day Free Trial + 3 Months for £1/Month (Optional)

GDPR Compliance Package

Full Company Secretary Service (worth £149.99)

Digital

Privacy

All Inclusive

The best choice of business bank accounts

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I make a mistake?

Can I register a dormant company?

If I buy a service address, can I use it for more than one company?

Can I buy a Digital Package now and upgrade later?

How long will it take to complete the company registration process?

Do I need to sign anything?

Don't I need a solicitor or accountant to do this?

Do you verify my ID with Companies House when I form a company?

What information do I need to have at hand to register a company?

When do I get my authentication code?

What is the confirmation statement?

How do I keep my home address private?

Which type of company is best for me?

How much does it cost, and what do I receive?

What our customers say

Newsletter

Free Business
Bank Account

Free Online
Company Manager

Free .com or .co.uk
Domain Name

Filing of the First
Confirmation Statement

Business Telephone Number
Free for 3 Months

Certificate of Incorporation,
Mem & Arts and
Share Certificate(s)

Company Registers
with First Entries

Registered Office Service
London WC2, for 12 months

1 x Service Address
London WC2, for 12 months

Business Address Service
London WC2, for 12 months
(worth £96.00)

VAT Registration
(use at anytime)

PAYE Registration
(use at anytime)

Free 4 Hours of
Meeting Room Hire

Shopify - 3 Day Free Trial + 3 Months for
£1/Month (Optional)

GDPR
Compliance Package

Full Company Secretary
Service (worth £149.99)