Company formation, also called company incorporation or company registration, is the legal process of creating a limited company under UK law. Once your company is formed, it becomes a separate legal entity from you as a director. That means the company can own assets, enter contracts, and take on liabilities in its own name.
In the UK, all limited companies are registered with Companies House, the official government body that maintains the public register of UK businesses. You can register a company yourself through the Companies House website, or use a professional formation agent like GoForma to handle it on your behalf.
The most common type of company formation in the UK is a private company limited by shares (Ltd). Majority of UK entrepreneurs choose this structure because it offers limited liability protection, potential tax advantages over self-employment, and a professional structure that clients and banks recognise and trust.
GoForma is a company formation agent based in London. We register limited companies across the UK, and unlike most formation agents, we include a qualified limited company accountant in the process from the start. Before we submit your application, your accountant reviews your share structure, advises on your SIC code, and makes sure your company is set up correctly for tax from day one.
Quick facts:
- Most companies are incorporated within 24 hours of submission
- Formation and incorporation mean the same thing in UK law
- Every UK limited company must have at least one director aged 16 or over
- A registered office address in England, Wales, or Scotland is required
Should You Register Your Company Yourself or Use a Formation Agent?
You can register a limited company directly through the Companies House website for £100 (the standard online fee). So why do most founders use a formation agent?
The honest answer: it is not about the filing. It is about getting the decisions right.
Companies House only checks whether your application is complete and compliant. They do not advise you on share structure, director pay, tax obligations, or what happens after you register. If you get those decisions wrong at incorporation, they can be expensive or time-consuming to correct later.
Here is a comparison:
Registering directly with Companies House
- Cost: £100 standard online / £156 same-day
- Advice provided: None
- Who checks your share structure: Nobody
- HMRC setup: Your responsibility
- Time to incorporate: 24 hours (standard), same day (fast-track)
Using GoForma
- Cost: £125 + VAT (Companies House fee included)
- Advice provided: Free pre-registration consultation with a qualified accountant
- Who checks your share structure: Your dedicated GoForma accountant
- HMRC setup: Guided by GoForma as part of your service
- Time to incorporate: As little as 24 hours
The additional cost of using GoForma covers the accountant advice which is typically worth far more than the fee. Getting your share structure wrong, missing a Corporation Tax registration deadline, or choosing the wrong number of shares can create problems that cost significantly more to fix than the £25 difference in registration fee.
If you already have a qualified accountant who has reviewed your company structure, registering directly with Companies House is a perfectly reasonable option. If you do not have an accountant or if this is your first limited company, GoForma's guided approach reduces the risk of starting off on the wrong foot.
How Much Does Company Formation Cost?
The cost of setting up a company in the UK largely depends on your approach and who you rely on to manage the process. Some founders go directly to the Companies House, while others want things to move faster or need extra support, so they turn to formation agents. While it’s tempting to go for the lowest price, what really matters is what you actually receive for your money.
Government filing fee
Companies House charges this when you register a limited company. It’s a fixed fee set by the government, and the amount varies depending on whether you file online, by post, or require same-day processing. This Companies House fee covers the legal step of setting up your business.
| Company incorporation and registration |
Online |
Software |
Paper |
| Incorporation |
£100 |
£100 |
£124 |
| Same day incorporation |
|
£156 |
|
Formation agent fee
If you use an agent, you’ll pay a service fee on top of the government charge. This covers preparing, filing, and providing your official documents. For instance, at GoForma, our £125 plus VAT package takes care of the registration, provides you with digital documents, and includes a free consultation with an accountant before you register.
Hidden costs other providers charge
Be aware of hidden fees. Some providers advertise very low prices, but then add on extra charges for things like digital documents, share certificates, a registered office address, confirmation statement filing, or even basic support. That initial bargain price can increase quickly when you total up all the extras.
It is also common for basic packages to leave out crucial advice, such as how to register for Corporation Tax or what your obligations are to HMRC. This can leave new directors unsure about what to do next.
Why cheap packages can cost more later
Choosing the cheapest option can end up causing problems. If your company is set up incorrectly, fo example, issues with the share structure, SIC codes, or director details, you might face tax issues or need to fix administrative mistakes later. Correcting these usually costs more than getting it right from the start.
There are bigger risks, too. Missing a filing deadline with Companies House or HMRC can lead to penalties, or just unnecessary stress which nobody wants.
Value over headline price
At GoForma, we prioritise value over just being the cheapest. Our pricing is transparent, the process is straightforward, and you can always speak to a qualified accountant if you need assistance. You can start with affordable company formation, and as your business grows, upgrade to ongoing accounting support.
London Registered Office Address for Your UK Limited Company
Every UK limited company must have a registered office address. This address appears on the public register at Companies House and is used to receive official correspondence, including letters from HMRC and legal notices.
Many directors prefer not to use their home address as their registered office. Using a home address means it appears on the public register permanently, even after you close the company.
GoForma's London registered office address solves this.
GoForma offers a professional business address in London that you can use as your company's registered office and director service address. We handle all mail sent to your company, provide digital scans of all incoming correspondence, and forward physical mail on premium packages.
Why a London address matters:
- A London address gives your company an immediate professional presence
- It is particularly valuable for businesses that operate remotely or outside London
- It keeps your home address private and off the public register
- Clients, banks, and suppliers recognise a London registered office as a sign of an established business
GoForma's London registered office is included in all monthly accounting packages. It is also available as a standalone add-on for clients who only need the company formation service.
What Happens After You Register Your Limited Company?
Forming your limited company is just the beginning. Once your company is registered, you have a set of legal and financial obligations that you must meet every year. GoForma guides you through all of these and handles them for you if you are on a monthly accounting package.
- Within three months of starting to trade: You must register your company for Corporation Tax with HMRC. You do this online through your HMRC business tax account. GoForma walks you through this process as part of your formation service.
- Within three months of registration (if applicable): If you expect your annual turnover to exceed £90,000, you need to register for VAT with HMRC. GoForma's Operate package includes VAT registration and quarterly VAT return filing.
- Each year: Your limited company must file an annual Confirmation Statement with Companies House (fee: £34 online). This confirms that your company's basic information on the register is still accurate. GoForma files this for clients on monthly packages and offers it as a standalone confirmation statement filing service for £80.
- Within nine months of your financial year end: You must file annual accounts with Companies House and a Corporation Tax return (CT600) with HMRC. GoForma prepares both documents for all clients on monthly accounting packages.
- Self Assessment (if applicable): As a limited company director, you may need to file a personal Self Assessment tax return each year. GoForma includes one Self Assessment per year on the Operate package, with additional returns available at £165 each.
- PAYE (if you pay yourself or employees a salary): If your company pays directors or employees a salary, it must register for PAYE with HMRC and run payroll. GoForma's monthly packages include payroll for one employee, with additional employees at £5 per month.
Start Your Company Formation Today
Ready to launch your limited company? We handle fast registration with Companies House, guide you on your duties with HMRC and give you direct access to qualified accountants from day one. You get clear fixed pricing, full compliance support and ongoing advice as your business grows.
Book a free 30-minute consultation and speak with a GoForma accountant before you register. There is no obligation to proceed, and no pressure. We want you to start your company on the right foundations.
If you are ready to take the next step, start today.
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