What information do I need before I register a limited company?
Last updated · General guidance, not legal or tax advice
Before registering a limited company you need: a company name, a registered office address, each director's details, each shareholder's details and shareholding, details of any people with significant control (PSCs), a SIC code, your choice of articles of association, and an email address. Directors and PSCs also need to verify their identity under current Companies House rules.
It also helps to think ahead about tax and banking, because a new company has HMRC obligations as soon as it starts doing business.
Company details
- Company name — checked for availability and any restricted words. Try our company name checker.
- Registered office address — a UK address in the jurisdiction where the company is registered. It is public. See what a registered office is.
- Registered email address — for Companies House to contact the company. It is not published.
- SIC code(s) — up to four codes describing what the company does.
- Articles of association — usually the standard model articles.
Director details
For each director you will normally need:
- Full name and any former names
- Date of birth (only the month and year are shown publicly)
- Nationality and country of residence
- Occupation
- A service address, which is public — you can use a director service address so your home stays off the register
- A residential address, which Companies House keeps private
- Identity verification, or a Companies House personal code where it applies
Shareholder and share details
- Each shareholder's name and address
- How many shares each will hold
- The class of shares (usually ordinary) and their nominal value, for example £1 each
- The rights attached to each class, if you are not using standard ordinary shares
If you are unsure how to split shares, read how shares work first.
People with significant control
List anyone who meets a PSC condition — for example holding more than 25% of the shares or votes, or being able to appoint most of the board. They will usually be shareholders already. See who counts as a PSC.
Identity verification
Companies House now requires directors and PSCs to verify their identity, and verified people receive a personal code to use in filings. The detail — who must verify, when, and how — has been introduced in stages, so check the current Companies House guidance before you apply.
Things worth planning before you register
| Topic | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Business bank account | Keeping company money separate is essential. Banks set their own requirements. |
| Bookkeeping | Records are needed from the first transaction. |
| Corporation Tax | The company must tell HMRC once it starts doing business. |
| Payroll | Needed if anyone, including directors, will be paid a salary through PAYE. |
| VAT | Compulsory above the threshold; voluntary below it. |
| Accountant | Optional, but helpful for accounts, tax and planning. |
If you want help with ongoing accounts and tax from the start, speak to an accountant before you begin trading.
In short
To register a UK limited company you need a company name, a registered office address in the right UK jurisdiction, a registered email address and a SIC code. For each director you need their name, date of birth, nationality, country of residence, occupation, a public service address and a private home address. You need each shareholder's name, address and shareholding, plus the share class and value, and details of any people with significant control. Most companies use the model articles of association. Directors and PSCs must verify their identity under current Companies House rules. Plan your bank account, bookkeeping, Corporation Tax, and any PAYE or VAT registration before you start trading.
Frequently asked questions
Is my date of birth made public?
Only the month and year of a director's date of birth appear on the public register.
Do I need a business plan to register?
No. Companies House does not ask for a business plan, although a bank or lender may.
Sources and official guidance
- GOV.UK: Set up a private limited company
- GOV.UK: Directors and company secretaries
- GOV.UK: Shareholders
- GOV.UK: People with significant control (PSCs)
- GOV.UK: Standard industrial classification (SIC) codes
- GOV.UK: Verifying your identity for Companies House
This guide is general information about UK rules as at 3 October 2026. It is not legal, tax or financial advice.