Guidance

Incorporation and names

• From: Companies House
• Part of: Companies House: guidance for limited companies, partnerships and other company types and Starting a company
• Published: 1 June 2013
• Last updated: 28 April 2017, see all updates

Sets out the main requirements for incorporating a company in the UK.

Documents

Incorporation and names

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Annex A: Sensitive words and expressions specified in regulations that require the prior approval of the Secretary of State to use in a company or business name

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Annex B: Words and expressions that could imply a connection with a government department, a devolved administration or a local or specified public authority

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Annex C: Other regulated words and expressions

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Details

This guide includes information and advice about:

• how to incorporate a limited company
• the type of company you wish to incorporate
• the company’s officers
• choosing a company name including controls and restrictions
• disclosure of company name and other information

Document information

Published: 1 June 2013

Updated: 28 April 2017

+ full page history

1. 28 April 2017 Foundation section updated.
2. 3 February 2017 Welsh HTML added.
3. 12 January 2017 Annexes A, B and C converted to HTML.
4. 2 December 2016 English HTML version added. Annexes seperated.
5. 27 July 2016 Version 6.1 uploaded. Minor amendment to include link to PSC guidance.
6. 30 June 2016 New version relating to changes brought in by the The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act.
7. 16 March 2016 Version 5.5
8. 27 March 2015 Latest version of the guidance uploaded (v5.4)
9. 5 February 2015 Welsh booklet added to Welsh translation
10. 2 February 2015 Version 5.2 replaced with Version 5.3
11. 6 January 2015 Welsh translation added
12. 29 December 2014 Version 5.2 added
13. 27 November 2014 Welsh translation added
14. 1 June 2013 First published.

From: Companies House

Part of: Companies House: guidance for limited companies, partnerships and other company types Starting a company