After you have submitted a company formation application, and it has been accepted, you’ll be sent an official certificate of incorporation which is proof that your business has been properly, and legally, formed.
What is Incorporation?
Incorporation is the process of registering a business as a limited company. A business can’t operate as a limited company until you have completed the process of incorporation through Companies House under the Companies Act 2006.
There are many benefits to incorporating your business, but the limited liability is probably the biggest attraction. Personal asset protection means that the companies finances are separate from your own personal finances. This means that if your company runs into trouble, your personal assets remain secure as the limited company is treated as a separate entity.
If you are thinking about incorporating your business, you should seek professional advice before doing so to understand whether this type of company is the right choice for you.
What is a Certificate of Incorporation?
A certificate of incorporation is a legal document which is proof that you have formed and registered your limited company with Companies House. You can only obtain a certificate for a new, or existing, company that has been through the incorporation process.
What Information Does a Certificate of Incorporation Contain?
The certificate of incorporation includes:
- The name and registered number of the company
- The date of its incorporation
- Whether it is a limited or unlimited company and, if limited, whether that is by shares or guarantee
- Whether it is a public or private company
- Whether the companies registered office is in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland
Your certificate will be signed by the registrar or will have been authenticated by the registrar’s official seal.
When Would You Need a Certificate of Incorporation?
Your certificate of incorporation will never be as important as when you are opening a business bank account. It is proof that your business has been set up legitimately and correctly. When opening your business account, you’ll need to take personal identification with you, along with your certificate of incorporation, your memorandum and articles of association as well as any share certificates.
You’ll also need your incorporation certificate if you are applying for a loan or funding.
How Do You Get a Certificate of Incorporation?
To obtain your certificate of incorporation, you need to follow the process of incorporating your business as outlined in the Incorporations and Names guidance on the gov.uk website. There are three different ways to incorporate a company and receive your certificate of incorporation. These are:
- Electronic software filing
- Web services
- Paper filing
Depending on which method you choose, there are different service timescales and fees associated with each one. For example, the standard fee for electronic filing is £10 and often takes around 24 hours whilst web services allow you to set up a limited company and register for corporation tax at the same time for £12. Paper filing takes longer to process than electronic documents and therefore costs more; £20 or £40 depending on your company type.
When incorporating your company, there are a handful of documents that you will need to file. These are:
- IN01 form which is your application to register a company
- Memorandum of association
- Articles of association
- Additional information if your application includes a sensitive word or expression
When you have gathered these, you’ll then be able to submit your application to become an incorporated business and receive your certificate of incorporation. In order to register your company, you’ll need to share the following details in your application:
- Proposed company name
- Where the company is based
- Your [registered office address[(https://www.companyaddress.co.uk/registered-office-address)
- Whether the company is private, public, or unlimited
- Details of the companies intended business activities using a SIC code
- Choice of articles of association
- Details of the proposed director(s) and secretary
- Details of People with Significant Control (PSC)
- Directors service and residential address
- Statement of capital and initial shareholdings or statement of guarantee
- Whether a company limited by guarantee wishes to apply to be exempt from using “limited” in its name
- If the proposed name contains a sensitive word and if you have requested the views of the government or other body
- Statement of compliance or guarantee
Can I Get More Copies of My Incorporation Certificate?
If you need to order more copies of your certificate of incorporation you can do so by calling Companies House on 0303 1234 500, or by visiting one of their information centres in Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast or London.
published under Starting a Business
