Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I make a mistake?
Don't worry! All mistakes can be fixed after your company is registered, 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.
Can I register a dormant company?
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.
If I buy a service address, can I use it for more than one company?
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.
How do I keep my home address private?
All new registered companies must supply 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 or All Inclusive.
Which type of company is best for me?
If you are registering a company with the objective of making a profit, then the standard company type for most commercial business activities is a limited company (also known as a private company limited by shares). 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 Formations 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.
How long will it take to complete the company registration process?
It will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete our online company application form. We will require ID checks to be carried out, which are quick and easy to complete. We will then send the application to Companies House, which will usually take less than 24 hours to approve a company - although this time period is dependent on Companies House workload, and sometimes it can take longer.
If it is important that your company is formed quickly, we provide a Same-Day Incorporation Service for £79.99, which can be purchased at checkout with any package. This service is available until 12 noon GMT, Monday-Friday. Incorporation on the same day is dependent on us receiving all relevant ID information for the company by 2pm of the same day, and we are not liable where we are not provided with the required information by this time.
VAT registration usually takes up to 30 days, but can take longer in some instances.
Do I need to sign anything?
Our company registration 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 24 hours (subject to Companies House workload).
Do you verify my ID with Companies House when I form a company?
Yes. We are an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) and can verify the identity of officers and persons with significant control (PSCs) on behalf of Companies House.
When we submit your company formation application to Companies House, once your company has been formed, you will appear as 'verified' for ID purposes on the Companies House public register.
We will also carry out additional checks to comply with our anti-money laundering responsibilities, as we are supervised by HMRC for anti-money laundering purposes.
The ID verification process is quick, simple, and free of charge. Typically it is completed within just a few minutes. You can read more about our ID Requirements here.
What information do I need to have at hand to register a company?
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.
See also: Information Required to Set Up a Company.
When do I get my authentication code?
If you register your company with 1st Formations, your company's authentication code and company documents will be sent to you by email as soon as your application is approved by Companies House. The authentication code will also be available to view in your online customer area on our website.
Do I need an accountant from day one of my company being formed?
There's no legal requirement to appoint an accountant, but your legal obligations begin the moment your company is incorporated, not when you start trading or when your first accounts are due. Appointing one from day one means you:
- Keep your tax bill efficient. Salary and dividend planning works best in advance, before tax-saving opportunities are missed.
- Claim the right expenses. Capture every allowable cost from the start, including pre-trading expenses - so you don't overpay tax.
- Stay compliant. Your filing duties start at incorporation. An accountant keeps your records organised all year round, so you're always ready to file.
- Save time and money. No learning the rules the hard way, and no correcting mistakes later.
- Make informed decisions. Accounting software and up-to-date figures help you make proactive decisions about your business.
- Pay yourself and your team. PAYE, salary, payroll and dividends set up correctly from the outset.
What if I don't plan on trading immediately?
That's fine - the Simple Plan is designed exactly for this. At just £49/month, it covers the statutory filings required for every limited company: your year-end accounts and Corporation Tax return.
Think of it as banking towards your year-end bill in advance. Over 11 payments that's £539 for the year - compared to £1,800+ that a typical accountant might charge. When you're ready to trade, everything's already in place.
What will I save compared to a traditional accountant?
Most customers save around £1,300 a year compared to a traditional accountant, plus up to £600 a year on Xero software, which is included in every accounting plan.
How does your Accounting Service work?
Once your company is formed, we'll email you to begin your onboarding. You can onboard by video call or online form - whichever you prefer. You'll choose your plan, from £49 +VAT per month, and get set up on Xero, your cloud accounting software.
You'll then have access to your accounting dashboard and Xero, so you can monitor your filings, create invoices, and log payments from day one.
From there, the team keeps your company compliant all year round - your annual accounts, your Corporation Tax return, and your dealings with HMRC. You'll also have access to our team for advice on everything from tax efficiency and claiming expenses to getting the most out of Xero.
Can I select another company formation package and add accounting on?
Yes. You can add the Accounting Service at the checkout of any of our company formation packages, except the Limited Liability Partnership Package. The service is built for newly formed limited companies, so it's only available as part of forming your company with us.
Can I purchase the Accounting Service after my company has been formed?
Not at the moment - the Accounting Service is only available when you form your company with us. You can include it by choosing the All Inclusive with Accounting Package, or by adding it at checkout with any of our other company formation packages. This means your finances are looked after from day one, with nothing to set up later.
What is the confirmation statement?
The confirmation statement is a document that must be filed annually, providing Companies House with up-to-date information about your company. These packages include the preparation and filing of your first confirmation statement.
Please note: Our Filing of the First Confirmation Statement Service does not include the Companies House filing fee of £50.00. At the time of filing your first confirmation statement, we will take payment of £50.00 using your payment card details securely stored on your account.
This service is renewable annually at £75.99 (including the £50 Companies House Fee). If you have our Hassle-Free Compliance Service, this service is included.
Can I buy a Digital Package now and upgrade later?
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. The one exception is our Accounting Service, which cannot be purchased once your company has been formed.
Are these packages suitable for accountants or other professionals forming companies on behalf of clients?
Unfortunately, our company formation packages aren't available for third-party use. They're designed exclusively for individuals setting up their own businesses and cannot be purchased on behalf of clients or resold as part of a professional service.
