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6 Best Company Formation Services in London

A researched comparison of six London company formation services, covering Companies House fees, identity verification, registered office addresses, international founders, renewals and ongoing compliance support.

6 Best Company Formation Services in London

By James Johnson, Finance and professional services writer

Updated |27 min read


Registering a private limited company in the UK can be completed directly through Companies House, but formation agents provide additional services that may be useful to founders who want help with address privacy, statutory documents, identity verification or ongoing company administration.

The basic incorporation itself is only one part of establishing a company properly. Founders must decide who will act as directors and shareholders, identify any people with significant control, choose an appropriate registered office, define the share structure and understand the continuing obligations that begin after registration.

A formation agent can simplify the filing process, but it does not replace legal, tax or accounting advice. Standard online packages are usually designed for straightforward private companies limited by shares. They may be unsuitable where the ownership structure is complex, bespoke articles are required, investors have negotiated special rights or the business operates in a regulated sector.

The six services in this guide represent several approaches to company formation in London. They include low-cost digital packages, services for overseas founders, central London address options, accounting bundles and more traditional formation packages with printed corporate documents.

What changed for company formation in 2026?

Company registration has become more expensive and more closely connected with identity verification.

The Companies House online incorporation fee is currently £100. This is a government filing charge and is separate from any service fee charged by a formation agent.

Directors and people with significant control are also being brought within the Companies House identity-verification system. Individuals can verify their identity directly through GOV.UK One Login or, where appropriate, through an Authorised Corporate Service Provider.

An Authorised Corporate Service Provider, commonly abbreviated to ACSP, is an agent registered with Companies House and supervised for anti-money-laundering purposes. An ACSP may verify a person's identity and submit the required confirmation to Companies House.

Founders should not assume that every business describing itself as a formation agent can provide identity verification. Check the current Companies House list and confirm whether the service is included in the advertised formation package.

How much does it cost to register a company in London?

The location of the founder does not change the standard Companies House incorporation fee. Registering a company described as London-based uses the same national system as registering elsewhere in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Current Companies House charges include:

Companies House serviceCurrent fee
Online company incorporation£100
Software-filed incorporation£100
Same-day incorporation through compatible software£156
Paper incorporation£124
Online confirmation statement£50
Online company-name change£20
Online voluntary strike-off application£13

A formation agent normally adds its own package fee to the applicable government charge.

A low advertised price may therefore appear as:

  • £2.99 agent fee
  • Plus the £100 Companies House fee
  • Plus VAT on the agent's taxable services
  • Plus any selected address, compliance or document services

The total first-year amount and the annual renewal cost are more useful than the promotional entry price alone.

What a formation agent can provide

Depending on the package, a company formation service may include:

  • Preparing and submitting the incorporation application
  • Digital certificate of incorporation
  • Memorandum and articles of association
  • Share certificates
  • Initial statutory registers
  • Minutes of the first board meeting
  • Identity verification
  • Companies House personal code support
  • Registered office address
  • Director or service address
  • Business correspondence address
  • Mail scanning or forwarding
  • Confirmation statement filing
  • VAT registration assistance
  • PAYE registration assistance
  • Business bank account introductions
  • Domain name or telephone service
  • Company-secretarial support
  • Accounting services
  • Dormant-company accounts
  • Company dissolution
  • Name changes
  • Certificates of good standing

Not every new company needs every service. A founder who already has an accountant and a suitable UK address may need only the basic incorporation. An overseas founder may require a more complete address, verification and correspondence package.

Your Company Formations Ltd

Editorially Selected

Business details

Address

128 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX

Phone: 020 7689 7888

Business hours:

  • Monday to Friday: 9 am to 5 pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Website

Your Company Formations provides online UK company registration alongside registered office, business address and continuing company-support services.

Its packages are designed for founders who want more than the Companies House filing itself. Depending on the selected level, services may include digital company documents, statutory registers, VAT or PAYE registration assistance, a London address and support with routine compliance tasks.

The company also provides formation options for non-UK residents. These packages are relevant where the founders live overseas but want to establish a UK private limited company and require a qualifying registered office address.

A UK company does not generally require its directors or shareholders to live in the UK. It must, however, maintain an appropriate registered office address within the relevant UK jurisdiction, and overseas founders can face additional practical issues involving identity checks, mail handling, taxation and business banking.

The service offers bank introductions, but an introduction does not guarantee that an account will be opened. Banks and payment providers carry out their own eligibility, identity, residency and risk checks.

Your Company Formations also operates address services from its London location. Clients should distinguish carefully between the registered office, director service address and general business address because they receive different categories of correspondence.

Before ordering, review which services continue after the first year, the renewal prices and the procedure for cancelling an address or compliance subscription.

Pros

  • Basic and more comprehensive formation packages
  • London registered office and business-address services
  • Options designed for non-UK residents
  • VAT and PAYE registration assistance available in selected packages
  • Digital company documents and statutory records
  • Access to continuing company-administration services
  • Suitable for founders seeking several startup services through one provider

Best for: UK and international founders wanting incorporation, London address services and optional continuing support from one provider.

What to confirm: Ask for the complete first-year cost, renewal schedule, identity-verification process, mail-handling terms and services included after incorporation.

Quality Company Formations

Editorially Selected

Business details

Address

71–75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ

Phone: 020 3908 0044

Business hours:

  • Monday to Friday: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Website

Quality Company Formations provides digital UK company registration, London address services and continuing company-secretarial support.

Its formation packages range from basic incorporation to wider options including registered office services, director service addresses, statutory registers, VAT registration and filing assistance.

The Covent Garden registered office service allows a company's official address to appear on the public register instead of a founder's residential address. Official government and court correspondence is then handled according to the terms of the selected service.

A registered office service does not automatically provide a usable address for ordinary customer, supplier or banking correspondence. Founders who want to receive general business mail should check whether a separate business-address service is required.

Quality Company Formations also supports non-UK residents, although overseas founders should read the eligibility and mail-forwarding conditions carefully. Valuable items such as bank cards may be handled differently from ordinary letters and can attract postage or administration charges.

Published packages are relatively detailed, which makes it possible to compare the included services before starting the application. The checkout process may also present optional products, so clients should review the final basket and identify which items renew automatically.

The company provides telephone, email and online support. It also offers services after incorporation, including confirmation statements, address changes and other routine company filings.

Pros

  • Range of basic, privacy-focused and comprehensive packages
  • Central London registered office service
  • Separate director and business-address options
  • Support for UK residents and overseas founders
  • Company-secretarial and filing services available after incorporation
  • Telephone, email and online support
  • Published renewal prices for principal address services

Best for: Founders wanting a Covent Garden registered office and a choice between basic formation and broader continuing services.

What to confirm: Check the agent fee, Companies House fee, VAT, renewal prices, cancellation notice and treatment of official, general and valuable mail.

121 Company Formation

Editorially Selected

Business details

Address

3rd Floor, 207 Regent Street, London, W1B 3HH

Phone: 020 3893 2121

WhatsApp: 0798 404 6470

Website

121 Company Formation provides UK company registration alongside Regent Street address services, accountancy packages and continuing compliance assistance.

Its formation packages are arranged in tiers, allowing founders to select a basic registration or a more comprehensive bundle. Higher-level packages may include accounting, tax registration, confirmation statement support and other administrative services.

The Regent Street address can be used as a registered office where the relevant service has been purchased. Separate service-address and trade-mail-forwarding products are also available.

The distinction matters because a registered office is the official public address of the company, while a service address is associated with a director or other officer. A trade-mail service is intended for ordinary business correspondence. Buying one does not necessarily include the others.

121 Company Formation is also relevant to non-UK residents. Overseas founders should confirm whether the package provides all necessary address services, how documents will be delivered internationally and whether the company can assist with the required identity-verification process.

The availability of accounting bundles may appeal to founders who prefer to place incorporation and ongoing bookkeeping or filing support with one provider. The accounting scope should nevertheless be reviewed carefully. Company formation, annual accounts, corporation-tax returns, payroll and VAT are separate responsibilities and may not all be included in the same plan.

The company publishes separate renewal prices for its registered office, service address, mail forwarding and confirmation statement services. Reviewing those figures before purchase makes the long-term cost easier to understand.

Pros

  • Tiered formation packages
  • Regent Street registered office option
  • Separate officer and trade-mail address services
  • Accountancy and compliance bundles
  • Support for non-UK residents
  • Business bank introductions
  • Continuing filing and company-administration services

Best for: Founders wanting incorporation, a Regent Street address and the option to combine company formation with ongoing accounting support.

What to confirm: Request a written breakdown of annual accounts, tax returns, payroll, VAT, confirmation statements, address renewals and any work charged separately.

Rapid Formations

Editorially Selected

Business details

Address

71–75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ

Phone: 020 7871 9990

Business hours:

  • Monday to Friday: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Website

Rapid Formations provides low-cost digital company registration, privacy-focused packages and more comprehensive startup bundles.

Its current basic package is advertised with a small agent fee added to the £100 Companies House charge. It includes formation, digital company documents, statutory registers, support with identity verification and filing of the first confirmation statement.

The privacy package adds London registered office, director service-address and business-address services. These can be useful to home-based founders who do not want a residential address used prominently on the public register or business correspondence.

The all-inclusive package adds services such as VAT and PAYE registration, compliance support and additional business tools. Several included services are free only for an initial period and then become renewable, so the year-two cost should be considered before purchase.

Rapid Formations is registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider and states that identity verification and the Companies House personal code are included with its formation packages. This is particularly relevant during the transition to mandatory identity verification.

Separate packages are available for non-UK residents. These include London address services and business account referrals, but banking remains subject to approval by the selected bank or payment provider.

Rapid Formations also offers a paid same-day filing option for qualifying orders submitted before its stated weekday deadline. Same-day processing is still subject to the Companies House service, acceptance of the application and any required checks.

The provider manually checks information before submission. This can help identify obvious inconsistencies, but founders remain responsible for ensuring that the supplied details and chosen structure are accurate.

Pros

  • Low entry-level agent fee
  • Identity verification and personal-code support included
  • Registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider
  • Privacy package with three types of London address service
  • Packages for overseas founders
  • VAT and PAYE registration available in the wider bundles
  • Statutory documents and initial registers supplied
  • Same-day filing option available for qualifying orders

Best for: Cost-conscious founders wanting digital incorporation, identity verification and optional Covent Garden address privacy.

What to confirm: Review the checkout total, renewal schedule, first confirmation statement arrangements, address-service conditions and eligibility for any banking referral.

1st Formations

Editorially Selected

Business details

Address

71–75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London, WC2H 9JQ

Phone: 020 3897 2233

Business hours:

  • Monday to Friday: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Website

1st Formations is a large London formation agent offering digital incorporation, privacy packages, non-resident services and continuing company administration.

Its entry-level digital package separates the small agent charge from the £100 Companies House fee. Wider packages add statutory registers, London addresses, business-document resources, VAT and PAYE assistance and compliance services.

The privacy package includes a Covent Garden registered office, an officer service address and a general business address. This combination is useful for founders working from home because it separates the private residential address from several forms of public and commercial correspondence.

Each address service has its own renewal terms. Official government mail is generally scanned and emailed under the registered office and service-address products, while ordinary business correspondence is dealt with under the business-address service.

The non-residents package is designed for founders living outside the UK. It combines formation with London address services, international mail arrangements and referrals to selected financial providers.

A UK company can have overseas directors and shareholders, but incorporation does not establish UK tax residence, personal immigration rights or guaranteed access to a UK bank account. International founders should obtain appropriate advice on taxation, management and control, permanent establishment, local reporting and cross-border payments.

1st Formations is an Authorised Corporate Service Provider and states that it can handle identity verification and obtain the Companies House personal code where the relevant service conditions are met.

The company also offers services for limited liability partnerships and companies limited by guarantee, making it useful for founders whose proposed entity is not a standard private company limited by shares.

Pros

  • Basic, privacy and all-inclusive digital packages
  • Registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider
  • Identity-verification support included with formation
  • Detailed package for non-UK residents
  • Covent Garden registered office, officer and business addresses
  • LLP and company-limited-by-guarantee formations available
  • Clear published pricing for many services and renewals
  • Continuing company-secretarial services available

Best for: Home-based and international founders wanting formation, identity verification and several London address services within one package.

What to confirm: Check country eligibility, mail-forwarding charges, renewal costs, tax limitations, financial-provider eligibility and the exact scope of compliance subscriptions.

Companies MadeSimple

Editorially Selected

Registered office: 20 Wenlock Road, London, N1 7GU

Phone: 020 7608 5500

Business hours:

  • Monday to Friday: 9 am to 5:30 pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Website

Companies MadeSimple is a long-established London formation service offering private limited company registration and specialist packages for other company structures.

Its standard formation options include digital incorporation documents, with higher packages adding printed certificates, bound memorandum and articles, and a physical company register.

This makes the service relevant to founders who prefer a traditional set of corporate records rather than relying entirely on digital documents.

Companies MadeSimple also provides formations for companies limited by guarantee and limited liability partnerships. A company limited by guarantee is commonly considered for certain membership bodies, clubs and non-profit organisations, while an LLP may suit some professional or commercial partnerships.

Neither structure should be selected solely because a formation website offers it. The legal, tax and governance consequences differ from those of a standard company limited by shares.

Selected packages include a London registered office address. Founders should check whether the service covers only official mail or also includes a director service address and ordinary business correspondence.

Companies MadeSimple states that it conducts anti-money-laundering and know-your-customer checks. Clients should separately confirm how its current process interacts with Companies House identity verification and whether the provider will submit verification as an ACSP.

Business bank account offers may include cashback or promotional benefits, but account opening and eligibility are controlled by the bank. The value of a banking incentive should not determine the company structure or choice of formation provider.

Pros

  • Long-established London company-formation service
  • Digital and printed-document packages
  • Bound memorandum and articles available in selected packages
  • Physical company register available
  • Companies limited by guarantee and LLP formations
  • London registered office option
  • Telephone support
  • Suitable for founders who prefer traditional corporate records

Best for: Founders wanting printed incorporation documents, a physical company register or support with a company limited by guarantee or LLP.

What to confirm: Ask whether Companies House identity verification is included, which address services form part of the package and how renewals or bank promotions operate.

Quick comparison

ProviderMain strengthEntry approachLondon address optionsInternational support
Your Company FormationsBroad startup and address-service packagesBasic and bundled optionsRegistered office and business addressDedicated overseas options
Quality Company FormationsFlexible Covent Garden privacy servicesLow-cost to comprehensiveRegistered office, service and business addressesNon-resident formations
121 Company FormationFormation combined with accountancyTiered packagesRegent Street address servicesOverseas-founder support
Rapid FormationsLow-cost digital filing with identity verificationBasic, privacy and all-inclusiveThree Covent Garden address servicesDedicated non-resident packages
1st FormationsDetailed privacy and non-resident packagesDigital to all-inclusiveThree Covent Garden address servicesExtensive non-resident package
Companies MadeSimplePrinted documents and specialist company typesTraditional tiered packagesLondon registered office in selected plansCheck current eligibility

Do you need a company formation agent?

A formation agent is optional for many straightforward incorporations.

Direct registration through Companies House may be sufficient where:

  • The company has a simple share structure
  • The founder understands the incorporation questions
  • A suitable registered office is already available
  • Standard model articles are acceptable
  • The directors can complete identity verification
  • No address or mail service is needed
  • An accountant will handle later registrations and filings

An agent may be useful where:

  • A home address should not be used as the registered office
  • The directors live overseas
  • Identity verification through an ACSP is preferred
  • A company limited by guarantee or LLP is required
  • Statutory registers or initial resolutions are wanted
  • The founder wants VAT, PAYE or confirmation-statement support
  • Several companies must be formed and administered
  • Mail scanning and forwarding are needed

A complicated ownership or investment structure should usually be discussed with a solicitor or appropriately experienced accountant rather than created through a standard online form.

Registered office, service address and business address

These terms describe different services.

Registered office

Every UK company must maintain an appropriate registered office within the jurisdiction in which it is incorporated.

The registered office:

  • Appears on the public Companies House register
  • Receives official government and legal correspondence
  • Must be an appropriate address
  • Must allow documents to be acknowledged and brought to the company's attention
  • Must be in the same UK jurisdiction as the company

A company incorporated in England and Wales cannot use a registered office in Scotland.

Service address

A director, secretary or person with significant control can use a service address for public correspondence instead of displaying their usual residential address.

The residential address must still be supplied to Companies House, but it is generally kept away from the public register subject to the applicable disclosure rules.

Business address

A business address is used for ordinary correspondence from customers, suppliers, banks and commercial contacts.

It is not automatically included with a registered office service.

Trading address

A trading address is the physical location from which the company actually operates. It may be the same as or different from the registered office.

Using a London mailing address does not mean that the company has employees, premises or genuine operational activity at that location.

Identity verification

Identity verification is a legal requirement for directors and people with significant control according to the relevant Companies House timetable.

An individual may verify through:

  • GOV.UK One Login
  • An Authorised Corporate Service Provider

Direct verification through GOV.UK One Login is free.

An ACSP may charge for its professional time or include verification within a wider formation package.

After verification, the individual receives or uses a Companies House personal code. This code is personal to the verified individual and should be kept secure.

Do not allow another person to use your identity to create or control a company. Directors and people with significant control have legal responsibilities and may be associated publicly with the company.

Choosing an Authorised Corporate Service Provider

Before relying on an agent for identity verification:

  • Check the current Companies House ACSP list
  • Confirm the agent's exact legal name
  • Check that it is not suspended or ceased
  • Ask whether verification is remote or in person
  • Confirm the documents required
  • Ask how personal data is stored
  • Request the complete fee
  • Establish what happens if verification cannot be completed
  • Keep confirmation of the completed verification

ACSP registration means the agent is registered for the relevant Companies House functions and is supervised for anti-money-laundering purposes. It does not guarantee the quality of every formation package or advisory service.

Forming a company as a non-UK resident

A non-UK resident can generally act as a director or shareholder of a UK private limited company.

However, the company must have an appropriate UK registered office, and overseas founders may face additional practical and legal questions involving:

  • Identity verification
  • International document certification
  • Mail handling
  • UK business banking
  • Payment processing
  • Corporation tax
  • Personal taxation
  • VAT
  • Permanent establishment
  • Management and control
  • Local reporting in the founder's home country
  • Immigration and work rights
  • International accounting
  • Currency conversion
  • Economic substance

Registering a UK company does not provide a visa, a right to live or work in the UK, or automatic access to a bank account.

A formation agent's banking partner may decline an application according to residency, business activity, ownership, sanctions, risk or documentation.

Company structure and share ownership

A standard online formation commonly creates a private company limited by shares with ordinary shares and model articles.

That structure may work for a single founder or a simple small business. It may not be sufficient where:

  • Several founders contribute different amounts
  • Investors require preference shares
  • Voting and economic rights differ
  • Vesting arrangements are needed
  • Shares may be transferred or repurchased
  • Deadlock provisions are required
  • A founder may leave
  • Intellectual property must be assigned
  • Employee share options are planned
  • External investment is expected

A shareholders' agreement is not usually included in a basic formation package.

Founders entering a business together should consider legal advice before issuing shares or agreeing percentages that may be difficult to change later.

Company name checks

Companies House checks whether the proposed legal name can be registered, but acceptance does not establish that the company may use the name without infringing another party's rights.

Before choosing a name, consider:

  • Existing Companies House names
  • UK trade marks
  • Trading names
  • Domain availability
  • Social media handles
  • Regulated or sensitive words
  • Similar competitors
  • International use
  • Pronunciation and spelling
  • Future expansion

A company name and a trade mark provide different forms of protection.

Registration at Companies House does not automatically grant exclusive brand rights.

Business bank introductions

Many formation agents offer referrals to banks or payment providers.

A referral may make it easier to start an application, but it is not a guarantee that an account will be opened.

Financial providers may assess:

  • Director residency
  • Shareholder residency
  • Business activity
  • Expected turnover
  • Source of funds
  • Countries of operation
  • Sanctions exposure
  • Credit information
  • Identification
  • Proof of address
  • Website or commercial evidence

Founders should compare account fees, transaction charges, international-payment costs, deposit protection and customer-support arrangements rather than choosing solely because a formation package advertises cashback.

VAT and PAYE registration

VAT and PAYE registration are not required merely because a company has been incorporated.

VAT registration depends on factors including taxable turnover, expected activity and voluntary-registration considerations.

PAYE registration is generally relevant where the company employs staff or pays a director or employee through payroll.

An agent can submit a registration application, but it cannot guarantee approval, a particular effective date or acceptance of every tax position.

Founders should understand whether VAT registration is commercially and administratively appropriate rather than treating it as a standard startup extra.

Ongoing company obligations

Incorporation creates continuing responsibilities.

A private limited company may need to deal with:

  • Annual accounts
  • Corporation Tax registration
  • Corporation Tax returns
  • Confirmation statements
  • Statutory registers
  • Changes to directors
  • Changes to people with significant control
  • Share allotments and transfers
  • Registered office changes
  • Payroll
  • VAT returns
  • Record keeping
  • Identity-verification requirements
  • Updating Companies House information

A formation package that includes the first confirmation statement does not necessarily include future statements, annual accounts or Corporation Tax returns.

Directors remain legally responsible even when an accountant or formation agent has been appointed.

Renewal costs and subscriptions

Address, compliance and document services are often supplied free or at a reduced price for the first year.

Before ordering, record:

  • The renewal date
  • Renewal price
  • Whether VAT applies
  • Whether renewal is automatic
  • Cancellation notice
  • Mail-forwarding charges
  • Per-item scanning fees
  • Postal charges
  • Number of companies covered
  • Number of directors covered
  • Cost of changing providers
  • Procedure for updating Companies House

If an address service ends, the company must replace it promptly with another appropriate address.

Allowing a registered office subscription to lapse without making alternative arrangements can lead to missed official correspondence and compliance problems.

Questions to ask before choosing a formation service

Ask each provider:

  • Is the advertised agent price separate from the Companies House fee?
  • Does VAT apply?
  • Is identity verification included?
  • Is the provider currently registered as an ACSP?
  • What documents are supplied?
  • Are statutory registers included?
  • Is the first confirmation statement included?
  • Who pays the £50 confirmation statement fee?
  • Which address services are included?
  • What mail is scanned or forwarded?
  • What are the renewal prices?
  • Is cancellation automatic or notice-based?
  • Are optional services preselected?
  • Does the package include accounting?
  • Which accounting filings are covered?
  • Is bank account opening guaranteed?
  • Can non-residents use the service?
  • What happens if Companies House rejects the application?
  • What refund conditions apply?

Common mistakes to avoid

Focusing only on the headline price

A £2.99 formation package still carries the £100 government fee and may add VAT, address services and renewals.

Buying every available add-on

Not every company needs VAT registration, a telephone number, a domain, GDPR templates and multiple addresses from the formation agent.

Confusing address services

A registered office does not necessarily receive customer mail, and a business address may not satisfy the registered-office requirement.

Assuming formation includes accounting

Incorporation does not usually include annual accounts, Corporation Tax returns, bookkeeping or payroll unless those services are expressly listed.

Believing a bank account is guaranteed

The bank makes its own decision.

Using a standard share structure for a complex startup

Founder rights and investment terms should be considered before the shares are issued.

Ignoring renewals

A low first-year price may become several annual subscriptions.

Using an unsuitable company name

Companies House acceptance does not resolve trade-mark or passing-off risks.

Frequently asked questions

Can I register a UK company myself?

Yes. A straightforward company can be registered directly through Companies House without a private formation agent.

What is the current Companies House incorporation fee?

The current online and software incorporation fee is £100. Paper incorporation costs more, and same-day software incorporation carries a higher fee.

How quickly is a company registered?

Many straightforward online applications are processed within approximately 24 hours, but this is not guaranteed.

Identity checks, application errors, unusual names, high volumes or Companies House review can extend the process.

Can a formation agent guarantee same-day registration?

No agent controls Companies House.

A same-day software service can be purchased where available, but the application must meet the deadline and requirements and still be accepted by Companies House.

Do I need a London registered office?

No. A company incorporated in England and Wales needs an appropriate address within England or Wales, but it does not have to be in London.

A London address is a commercial or privacy choice rather than a legal requirement.

Can I use my home address?

A home address may be used if it satisfies the registered-office rules.

It will appear publicly if used as the registered office or public service address, which is why some founders buy an address service.

Can a non-UK resident form a company?

Generally, yes. The company still needs an appropriate UK registered office, and the founders must satisfy identity and compliance checks.

Tax, banking and cross-border obligations require separate consideration.

Does company registration include a business bank account?

No.

Formation agents may provide introductions, but the bank or payment provider decides whether to open an account.

Is identity verification free?

Direct identity verification through GOV.UK One Login is free.

An ACSP may include verification within a package or charge for providing the service.

Do I need an accountant before forming the company?

Not necessarily, but an accountant can be valuable where the choice of structure, tax registration, ownership, remuneration or international position is uncertain.

Does a limited company protect me from every liability?

No.

Limited liability is subject to the law and circumstances. Directors can still incur personal liability through guarantees, wrongdoing, certain breaches of duty or other legal obligations.

Choosing with confidence

The best company formation service depends on what the founder genuinely needs after the certificate of incorporation has been issued.

Your Company Formations provides broad startup and address packages for UK and overseas founders. Quality Company Formations offers flexible Covent Garden address services and continuing company administration. 121 Company Formation combines Regent Street address options with accountancy bundles.

Rapid Formations provides a low-cost digital route with identity-verification support and several privacy packages. 1st Formations offers extensive non-resident and address options, while Companies MadeSimple provides more traditional printed corporate documents and specialist company formations.

Founders with a straightforward structure and their own address may find direct Companies House registration sufficient. Those choosing an agent should compare the complete first-year cost, annual renewals, identity-verification arrangements and exact continuing services rather than relying on the headline package price.

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James Johnson

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James covers solicitors, accountants, mortgage brokers, financial advisers, recruitment, HR and regulated professional services.

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