Incorporation and names
Sets out the main requirements for incorporating and naming a company in the UK, including business names and charitable incorporated organisations (CIOs).
Updates to this page
- From:
- Companies House
- Published:
- 1 June 2013
- Last updated:
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21 July 2026
Show all updates
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Updated wording under 'Annex A - 87. Ombudsman' to clarify that the list of requirements only applies to non-statutory bodies.
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Added an additional point under the section 6.7 'Same as' exceptions to say: the proposed same name differs from the parent company name by using any of the ‘matters’ listed in inverted commas in paragraph 5 of schedule 3 of The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015.
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Removed message about delays to filings, as our filings are now being processed as normal.
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We’re currently experiencing a delay with processing filings. It may take longer than usual for your filing to appear on the register after you submit it. As a result, we will not be able to process same day filings until further notice.
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Section added for 'Other incorporation types'. Fees updated.
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Amended annexes A and B with an updated contact point for the Home Office.
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Updated in line with changes to company registers and the launch of mandatory identity verification.
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Added guidance on the definition of an appropriate address and the process if a company does not provide an appropriate address.
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Fees updated.
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Guidance updated for new measures under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.
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Guidance for registered office address updated in line with Trading Standards recommendations and section 86 of the Companies Act 2006. If you choose to engage a third party agent to handle your mail, you must ensure that the arrangements provide for all mail to be forwarded to you regardless of its source.
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Updates to Annex A, Annex B and Annex C.
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Removed 'Pharmaceutical' from Annex C.
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Added 'Senedd Cymru' to Annex A.
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Added 'Comisiwn y Senedd', 'Welsh Parliament' and 'Senedd Commission' to 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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Removed duplicate sensitive words from Annex B: CSV file
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Guidance added to set up a CIC online.
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Guidance on the use of Friendly Society updated.
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Guidance on use of 'chartered surveyor' updated.
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Added home address warning and link to guidance on public information.
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Sensitive words annexes uploaded as CSV files.
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Amendment to polytechnic and university
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Amendment to email contact for approval for the sensitive words Accredit / Accreditation / Accredited / Accrediting
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Text added to guidance about who can incorporate.
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Annexes A to C updated.
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Foundation section updated.
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Welsh HTML added.
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Annexes A, B and C converted to HTML.
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English HTML version added. Annexes seperated.
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Version 6.1 uploaded. Minor amendment to include link to PSC guidance.
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New version relating to changes brought in by the The Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act.
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Version 5.5
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Latest version of the guidance uploaded (v5.4)
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Welsh booklet added to Welsh translation
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Version 5.2 replaced with Version 5.3
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Welsh translation added
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Version 5.2 added
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Welsh translation added
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First published.
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Documents
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
If you use your home address as your service address or the company’s registered office, it will be available to the public.
See our guidance on what information we make publicly available.