Guidance

Incorporation and names

Updated 1 February 2026

This guide sets out the main requirements for incorporating a company in the UK - England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It 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 freely available online to the public.

See our guidance on what information we make publicly available.

This guide only provides information on the most common cases and filings. You may need professional advice if your case is unusual or complex.

1. Incorporating a new company

1.1 Incorporation

Incorporation is the process where a new or existing business registers as a limited company. A company is a legal entity with a separate identity from those who own or run it. Most companies are limited liability companies where the liability of the members is limited by shares or by guarantee.

A business cannot operate as a limited company until it has been incorporated at Companies House under the Companies Act 2006. Incorporating your business as a company means the directors will need to file documents every year, such as annual accounts and a confirmation statement. They must also tell Companies House about any changes, such as the appointment or resignation of directors or a change to the company’s registered office.

You may need to seek professional advice before deciding if incorporating a company is the best way to run your business.

1.2 Who can incorporate a company

One or more people can form a company by subscribing their names to a memorandum of association and stating that they wish to form the company for lawful purposes. In law, a ‘person’ also includes companies and other bodies.

Only people age 16 and over can legally enter into a contract. We will usually reject an application for incorporation if we notice a subscriber is age 15 and under.

1.3 Types of company

There are 4 types of company.

Private company limited by shares

This company has a share capital. The liability of each member is limited to the amount unpaid on their shares (if any). A private company cannot offer its shares for sale to the general public.

Private company limited by guarantee

This company does not have a share capital. Its members are ‘guarantors’ instead of shareholders. The liability of each member is limited to the amount they agree to contribute to the company’s assets, if it’s wound up.

Read about Flat management companies, right to manage (RTM) companies and commonhold associations.

Private unlimited company

An unlimited company may or may not have a share capital. There’s no limit to the liability of each member.

Public limited company

A public company has a share capital. The liability of each member is limited to the amount unpaid on their shares (if any). It can offer its shares for sale to the general public, and these may be quoted on the stock exchange.

1.4 How to register (incorporate) a company

There are 3 ways to incorporate a company. You can apply:

• using commercial software
• online using the GOV.UK service (web)
• by post using the paper form IN01

Software filing

You can apply to incorporate a company digitally using suitable commercial software.

Many incorporation agents and software providers also offer a web-based digital service. This may be more practical depending on the volume you need to file.

Suppliers may charge for these services.

Read more about using software to file your company’s information.

The standard incorporation service using software costs £100. We normally process applications within 24 hours - it may take longer if your application is complex.

The ‘same day’ incorporation service using software costs £156. You must apply by 3pm from Monday to Friday.

Online (web) services

You can use the online service to Set up a limited company and register for Corporation Tax.

This is the quickest and easiest way to incorporate your company. It will also register your company with HMRC for Corporation Tax (and optional PAYE).

You can set up:

• a private company limited by shares
• a private company limited by guarantee (if you only have individuals as the guarantors and you’re not applying for an exemption from using ‘Limited’ in the company name)
• a community interest company (CIC)

You’ll be able to upload supporting documents for company names and articles of association.

It costs £100 to incorporate a company online (it costs £115 for a CIC). You’ll need to pay by card or using PayPal.

There is no same day option for this service. We normally process applications within 24 hours - it may take longer if your application is complex.

You cannot pay using your Companies House online filing account. If you’re setting up a company on behalf of a client and need to pay using your Companies House online filing account, use the web incorporation service.

Follow the step by step guide to set up a limited company.

Applying by post

To incorporate your company by post, you must file:

• an application to register a company (form IN01) and the correct fee
• the memorandum of association
• articles of association (unless you adopt model articles completely)
• supporting information, if your application includes a sensitive word or expression

It costs £124 to send a paper application to register a company by post. Make your cheque or postal order payable to Companies House.

It usually takes longer to process paper applications.

1.5 What information you’ll need

You must tell us:

• the proposed company name (you cannot reserve a proposed name)
• whether the registered office is in England and Wales, Wales (a Welsh company), Scotland or Northern Ireland
• the registered office address - this must be in the same country your company is registered in (for example, a company registered in Scotland must have a registered office address in Scotland)
• the company’s registered email address
• if the company will be private, public or unlimited
• that the subscribers wish to form the company for lawful purposes
• details of the company’s intended business activities by reference to a standard industrial classification code (SIC)
• choice of articles of association
• details of the proposed directors and secretary (if there is one)
• details of people with significant control (PSCs), or other legally required statements such as a statement that the company does not have any PSC
• directors’ service and residential addresses
• a statement of capital and initial shareholdings or a statement of guarantee
• whether a company limited by guarantee wishes to apply to be exempt from needing to use ‘limited’ or ‘cyfyngedig’ in its name
• a statement of compliance or guarantee

We cannot guarantee we’ll process applications in strict order of the time or date we receive them. We usually process online applications quicker than paper applications sent by post.

If your company name contains a prescribed sensitive word or implies a connection with the UK government or a devolved administration, you’ll need permission from a government department or other relevant body. You must include a copy of their response with your application.

If you use your home address as your service address or the company’s registered office, it will be freely available online to the public.

See our guidance on what information we make publicly available.

1.6 Registered office address, service address and usual residential address

You must provide an appropriate registered office address when you set up a limited company. An address is an ‘appropriate address’ if, in the ordinary course of events: 

• a document addressed to the company, and delivered there by hand or by post, would be expected to come to the attention of a person acting on behalf of the company
• the delivery of documents there is capable of being recorded by the obtaining of an acknowledgement of delivery

A service address is one that can be used by a director to receive communications from third parties about the company. The service address can be the same as the person’s residential address or the registered office address of the company, or it can be somewhere different.

A usual residential address is the home address of the director or PSC. You must file this with Companies House but it will not be available on the public record for everyone to see.

If you use your home address as your service address or the company’s registered office, it will be freely available online to the public.

See our guidance on what information we make publicly available.

1.7 Memorandum of association

The memorandum of association is the contract to form the company. It confirms that the subscribers intend to form a company and become members of that company on formation. If the company will be limited by shares, the memorandum will also show that the members agree to take at least one share each in the company.

It’s important to prepare your memorandum carefully and correctly. You cannot change the memorandum after the company is incorporated.

Information on capital and shareholdings is no longer part of the memorandum. This information is contained in the application to register (form IN01) as a ‘statement of capital and shareholdings’ or for a company limited by guarantee, a ‘statement of guarantee’.

You must use the prescribed wording and format for your memorandum. See memorandum templates for limited companies.

The memorandum wording is prescribed in The Companies (Registration) Regulations 2008 (2008/3014) and you cannot change it. If you add wording or change it, we’ll reject your application.

1.8 Articles of association

The articles of association are the company’s internal rulebook, chosen by its members. Every company must have articles which are legally binding on the company and all of its members.

The articles help to make sure the company’s business runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible. They set out how decisions are taken by the members and directors, plus matters connected with the shares.

When applying to incorporate a company, you can choose to adopt:

• model articles in full
• model articles with amendments (you must include the amendments)
• your own bespoke articles (you must include the bespoke articles in full)

Members can choose to use the model articles by default. They can also choose to use their own rules as bespoke articles - but these must not break the law. You may need professional advice about which option is best for your company.

If you do not tell us which articles you are adopting, we’ll automatically apply the model articles for your company type.

Model articles

The members can choose to adopt model articles that are suitable for most standard companies. You do not have to adopt the provisions of model articles - but they can provide useful guidance and a safety net, in some cases.

Model articles are available for:

• private companies limited by shares
• private companies limited by guarantee
• public companies

The model articles are set out in schedules 1 to 3 of The Companies (Model Articles) Regulations 2008 (SI No. 3229).

Unlimited companies

There are no model articles for unlimited companies. An unlimited company can choose to use model articles as the basis of its own articles of association.

The articles must not include the provision for the liability of the members to be limited.

The members should consider including an article containing power for an unlimited company by special resolution to increase or consolidate share capital, subdivide or cancel shares or reduce share capital and any share premium account.

If you are thinking of incorporating an unlimited company, you may need professional advice.

Entrenched or restricted articles

Your company may choose to adopt articles with restricted provisions, which can only be repealed or amended if certain conditions are met. For example, a rule which can only be changed with the support of a higher majority of shareholders than the 75% normally required to pass a special resolution.

If your company’s articles include any restricted provisions, you must complete this section in your application to register a company. The articles must make it clear what conditions need to be met.

Appropriate articles

Some company law stationers or formation agents may offer a service to supply bespoke articles.

Companies House cannot supply bespoke articles of association.

1.9 If you change your articles of association

After your company is incorporated, you must tell Companies House each time your company makes changes to its articles. If you do not tell Companies House, you and your company may commit an offence.

You can amend your articles by special resolution and deliver a copy of the resolution to Companies House within 15 days of the date it is passed. You must also deliver a copy of the amended articles within 15 days of the date the amendment takes effect. The process is quicker if you file both at the same time.

See Life of a company for more information about amending your company’s articles.

1.10 Registered office

A company must have an ‘appropriate address’ as its registered office, at all times. This means, in the ordinary course of events: 

• a document addressed to the company, and delivered there by hand or by post, would be expected to come to the attention of a person acting on behalf of the company
• the delivery of documents there is capable of being recorded by the obtaining of an acknowledgement of delivery

If you choose to use an agent’s address or another third-party provider, you must make sure their service meets these requirements.

If the registered office is not an appropriate address

If the company’s registered office address does not meet the requirements, it means the address is not appropriate. This is an offence and we may take action against the company and its officers.

If a registered office is not an appropriate address, we’ll change it to a default address held at Companies House. The company must provide an appropriate address (with evidence of proprietary ownership) within 28 days, or we could start the process to strike the company off the register. 

Location of your registered office address

When you apply to incorporate your company, you must choose which part of the UK your company’s registered office will be in. It can be either:

• England and Wales
• Wales (a Welsh company)
• Scotland
• Northern Ireland

You must tell Companies House if you decide to change your registered office address. The change does not take effect until we register your filing.

You can change your registered office address but you cannot change which part of the UK it’s in. For example, if your registered office is in Northern Ireland - you cannot change it to an address in Scotland.

1.11 Registered email address

When you apply to incorporate a company, you must provide a registered email address. This must be an appropriate email address where Companies House can send communications to the company. This means, in the ordinary course of events, emails sent to it by Companies House would be expected to come to the attention of a person acting on behalf of the company.

You must tell Companies House if you change your registered email address. It’s important to keep your registered email address up to date.

The company’s registered email address is not available to the public.

1.12 When you apply to incorporate a company

We carry out examination checks and make sure any proposed officer is not on the disqualified directors register.

If the documents pass all examination checks, we’ll:

• incorporate the company
• issue a certificate of incorporation
• place the documents on the public company record

The incorporation does not have legal effect until Companies House has issued the certificate of incorporation. For example, you should consider this before creating any bank accounts or company stationery.

1.13 Certificate of incorporation

The certificate of incorporation is conclusive evidence that the company is registered under the Companies Act 2006, and has complied with all requirements under the act for registration.

The certificate will state:

• the name and registered number of the company
• the date of its incorporation
• if it’s limited by shares or by guarantee, or an unlimited company
• if it’s a private or a public company
• if the company’s registered office is in England and Wales, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland

The certificate will be authenticated by the registrar’s official seal.

2. Directors and secretaries

See Life of a company for information about directors and secretaries.

It’s important to understand the role and responsibilities of being a company director.

2.1 Minimum number of officers

A private company must have at least one director. The company’s articles of association can require a higher minimum number of directors. At least one director must be an individual.

A private company does not need to have a secretary, unless it’s required by the company’s articles of association.

A public company must have at least 2 directors and a secretary. At least one director must be an individual. The secretary of a public company must be qualified.

2.2 Company directors

The members must appoint the directors who will run the company on their behalf.

You cannot be a director if you are:

• disqualified from acting as a company director (unless the court has given you permission to act for a particular company)
• an undischarged bankrupt (unless you have been given permission by the court to act for a particular company)
• under the age of 16

All directors must verify their identity to prove who they are. You’ll need to give the Companies House personal code for the director and confirm they have verified their identity.

See Verifying your identity for Companies House.

2.3 Company secretary

A private company secretary does not need any qualifications.

A secretary of a public company must have one or more of the qualifications required for public companies.

3. Public companies

3.1 Requirements of a public company

A public company must have:

• at least 2 directors (who may also be members of the company)
• at least one director who is an individual
• all individual directors aged 16 or over
• at least one secretary who must be qualified

Qualified secretaries

A secretary of a public company must have one or more of these listed qualifications.

They are someone who:

• has held the office of secretary of a public company for at least 3 of the 5 years before their appointment
• is a barrister, advocate or solicitor called or admitted in any part of the UK
• is a person who, by virtue of his or her previous experience or membership of another body, appears to the directors to be capable of discharging the functions of secretary

They are a member of:

• The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales
• The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland
• Chartered Accountants Ireland
• The Chartered Governance Institute
• Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
• The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
• Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy

3.2 When a public company starts business

Before a public company can conduct business or exercise borrowing powers, you must apply for a trading certificate (form SH50). This confirms the public company has the minimum allotted share capital.

It is an offence to trade without a trading certificate. If convicted, the directors are liable to a fine.

There are different rules if you want to re-register from a private company limited by shares or a private unlimited company to a public company.

See Life of a company for more information about re-registering a company.

4. Community interest companies (CICs)

A CIC is a limited company designed for people who want to carry out activities intended to benefit the community.

A CIC is registered as a limited company after the CIC regulator has approved the application to form a CIC. The regulator also has a continuing monitoring and enforcement role.

4.1 Set up your CIC online

The Set up a limited company and register for Corporation Tax service is the quickest and easiest way to register your CIC.

The online service will register:

• the limited company application with Companies House
• the CIC36 form and CIC articles with the CIC regulator (you must upload a PDF of each document)
• your CIC for Corporation Tax with HMRC

You must upload the CIC36 form and CIC articles of association as individual PDF files.

Do not upload the IN01 form or memorandum of association. The service will create these for you.

It costs £115 to incorporate a CIC online.

You must pay the fee by card or using PayPal. You cannot pay using your Companies House online filing account.

There is no same day service to register a CIC online.

You may be able to incorporate your CIC online using software filing if your provider offers this service.

4.2 Apply to incorporate a CIC by post

You’ll need to file:

• form IN01 - you must complete option 3 of section A8 (do not complete section A3)
• memorandum of association
• articles of association (you cannot use model articles for a CIC)
• the application to form a CIC (form CIC 36) and continuation sheets if needed, including declarations
• a cheque for £139, made payable to Companies House
• additional information if your application includes a sensitive word or expression

It takes longer to process paper applications sent by post.

If your CIC is a private company, the name must end with ‘community interest company’ or the abbreviation ‘CIC’ (with or without full stops).

If your registered office is stated as being in Wales (a Welsh company), the name can instead end with ‘cwmni buddiant cymunedol’ or the abbreviation ‘CBC’ (with or without full stops).

If your CIC is a public company, the name must end with ‘community interest public limited company’, or the abbreviation ‘community interest PLC’ (with or without full stops).

If your registered office is stated as being in Wales (a Welsh company), the name can end with ‘cwmni buddiant cymunedol cyhoeddus cyfyngedig’, or the abbreviation ‘cwmni buddiant cymunedol CCC’ (with or without full stops).

5. Other incorporation types

For a company authorised to register under section 1040 of the Companies Act 2006, email Companies House to request form NC IN01 - enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk.

6. Choosing a company name

Before choosing a name, check your company name is not the ‘same as’ an existing name on the index.

You should also search the UK Intellectual Property Office trade marks register to check your proposed name does not risk infringing an existing trade mark.

You can also seek advice from:

• a trade mark attorney using the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys search tool
• a solicitor who specialises in intellectual property law - you can use the Law Society search tool to find solicitors in your area

6.1 Rules and restrictions for a proposed company name

The name of a private company limited by shares or guarantee must end with ‘limited’ or ‘Ltd’. If the registered office is stated as being in Wales (a Welsh company), the name can end with ‘cyfyngedig’ or ‘cyf’ instead.

The name of a public company must end with ‘public limited company’ or ‘plc’ (with or without full stops). If the registered office is stated as being in Wales (a Welsh company), the name can end with ‘cwmni cyfyngedig cyhoeddus’ or ‘ccc’ (with or without full stops) instead.

You can only use expressions and abbreviations which describe a form of company, at the end of a name. For example, ‘limited liability partnership’ or ‘LLP’, or ‘community interest company’ or ‘CIC’. This includes any Welsh equivalents.

You cannot use a name that:

• is the ‘same as’ an existing name on the index
• includes sensitive words or expressions included in regulations
• includes words that would constitute an offence
• is offensive
• in the opinion of the Secretary of State, is intended to facilitate the commission of an offence involving dishonesty or deception (fraud)
• consists of or includes computer code
• includes certain characters, signs, symbols and punctuation

You cannot use a name that could suggest a connection with:

• the UK government
• a devolved administration
• a local authority
• a specified public authority
• a foreign government, or an agency or authority of a foreign government
• an international organisation whose members include 2 or more countries or territories (or their governments)

There are restrictions on reusing a name that has been subject to an order from Companies House or the Company Names Tribunal.

Full restrictions are set out in the:

• Companies Act 2006
• Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015
• Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2014

6.2 Exemption from including ‘limited’ in a company name

A private company limited by guarantee can apply to be exempt from including ‘limited’, ‘ltd’, ‘cyfyngedig’ or ‘cyf’ if the articles of association:

• state that the objects of the company are the promotion or regulation of commerce, art, science, education, religion, charity or any profession incidental or conducive to any of those objects
• require its income to be applied in promoting its objects
• prohibit the payment of dividends, or any return of capital, to its members
• require all the assets that would otherwise be available to its members generally and transferred on its winding up – either to another body with similar objects or to another body with charitable objects

You can apply for this exemption when you register your company. If you’re applying by post, you’ll need to complete section A3 of form IN01.

6.3 ‘Same as’ names

Two company names are the ‘same as’ if they are so similar it’s likely to confuse the public about which company is which.

The regulations (schedule 3) set out the words and expressions that must be disregarded and the words, expressions, signs and symbols that are to be regarded as the same.

The words, expressions, punctuation, symbols and characters are disregarded in the order they appear in the regulations.

6.4 Words and expressions that must be disregarded

At the end of the name, you must disregard:

• Limited, Unlimited, Public Limited Company, Community Interest Company, Community Interest Public Limited Company Right to Enfranchisement, Right to Manage, UK EEIG, Investment Company with Variable Capital, Limited Partnership, Limited Liability Partnership, Open-Ended Investment Company, Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Industrial and Provident Society, Co-Operative Society, Community Benefit Society
• Cyfyngedig, Anghyfyngedig, Cwmni Cyfyngedig Cyhoeddus, Cwmni Buddiant Cymunedol, Cwmni Buddiant Cymunedol Cyhoeddus Cyfyngedig, Hawl I Ryddfreiniad, Cwmni RTM Cyfyngedig, Cwmni Buddsoddi  Chyfalaf Newidiol, Partneriaeth Cyfyngedig, Partneriaeth Atebolrwydd Cyfyngedig, Cwmni Buddsoddiad Penagored, Sefydliad Elusennol Corfforedig
• LTD, PLC, CIC, RTE, RTM, LP, LLP, CIO, CYF, CCC, CBC, Community Interest PLC, Cwmni Buddiant Cymunedol CCC, PC, PAC, SEC

When preceded by a blank space, a full stop or ‘@’, you must disregard:

• & co, & company, and co, and company
• biz
• co, co uk, co.uk, com, company
• eu
• GB, Great Britain
• net, NI, Northern Ireland
• org, org uk, org.uk
• UK, United Kingdom
• Wales
• & cwmni, a’r cwmni, cwmni, cym, Cymru
• DU
• PF, Prydain Fawr
• Y Deyrnas Unedig

You must also disregard:

• any of the above if preceded by and followed by brackets
• specified punctuation, signs and symbols including ‘ ’ ‘ , ( ), [ ], { }, < >, !, « », “, ”, “, ?, . /, ?, \, /
• “*”, “=”, “#”, “%” and “+” when used as one of the first 3 characters in a name
• ”s” at the end of a name
• any characters after the first 60 characters in a name
• “the” and “www” at the beginning of a name
• blank spaces between permitted characters

6.5 Characters, words, expressions, signs and symbols that are considered ’same as’ each other

Column 1 (permitted characters)	Column 2 (to be treated the same as)
À Á Â Ã Ä Å Ā Ă Ą Ǻ	A
Æ Ǽ	AE
Ç Ć Ĉ Ċ Č	C
Þ Ď Đ	D
È É Ê Ë Ē Ĕ Ė Ę Ě	E
Ĝ Ğ Ġ Ģ	G
Ĥ Ħ	H
Ì Í Î Ï Ĩ Ī Ĭ Į İ	I
Ĵ	J
Ķ	K
Ĺ Ļ Ľ Ŀ Ł	L
Ñ Ń Ņ Ň Ŋ	N
Ò Ó Ô Õ Ö Ø Ō Ŏ Ő Ǿ	O
Œ	OE CE
Ŕ Ŗ Ř	R
Ś Ŝ Ş Š	S
Ţ Ť Ŧ	T
Ù Ú Û Ü Ũ Ū Ŭ Ů Ű Ų	U
Ŵ Ẁ Ẃ Ẅ	W
Ỳ Ý Ŷ Ÿ	Y
Ź Ż Ž	Z

Column 1 (permitted characters, words and expressions)	Column 2 (to be treated the same as)
AND	&
PLUS	+
0, ZERO	O
1	ONE
2, TWO, TO and TOO	TOO
3	THREE
4, FOUR	FOR
5	FIVE
6	SIX
7	SEVEN
8	EIGHT
9	NINE
£	POUND
€	EURO
$	DOLLAR
¥	YEN
%, PER CENT, PERCENT, PER CENTUM	PERCENTUM
@	AT

6.6 Examples of ‘same as’ names

‘ŘEAL COFFEE CAFÉ LTD’ is the same as the ‘REAL COFFEE CAFE LTD’. ‘PLUM TECHNOLOGY LTD’ is the same as ‘PLUM TECHNOLOGY & COMPANY LTD’

6.7 ‘Same as’ exceptions

The ‘same as’ rule does not apply if:

• the proposed company is intended to be part of the same group as an existing ‘same as’ company
• the existing company consents to the registration of the proposed name
• the application to register includes a letter from the existing company confirming that it consents to the registration of the proposed name and that it will form part of the same group

‘Group’ means a parent undertaking and its subsidiary undertakings (section 474(1) of the act).

7. Sensitive words and expressions - names that could imply a connection with government and words protected under other legislation

The Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business Names (Sensitive Words and Expressions) Regulations 2014 SI 2009/3140) include words and expressions which cannot be used in a business, company or LLP name, without approval by the Secretary of State.

The controls exist to ensure a name does not mislead or harm the public. It may not be appropriate to use a certain word if it:

• suggests business pre-eminence, a particular status, or a specific function, for example, names that include ‘British’, ‘Institute’ or ‘Tribunal’
• implies a connection with the UK government, a devolved administration or a local or specified public authority
• includes a word that represents a regulated activity
• includes a word whose use could be an offence

Annex A sets out the approval criteria to use a sensitive word or expression included in the regulations. Information intended to support a proposed name, such as a letter or email of non-objection from a specified body, must be included with your ‘application to register a company (IN01) or to use a business name.

You will need approval if you want to use a name which:

• could imply a connection with the UK government, a devolved administration or a local or specified public authority - see Annex B includes a list of words and expression that require prior approval and includes details of contact bodies and approval criteria
• is protected or regulated by other legislation - see Annex C includes a list of protected words, contact bodies and approval criteria

8. Other restricted words

8.1 Names that suggest a false connection with a foreign government or an international organisation

You will not be able to register a company by a name that would be likely to give a false impression that the company is connected with: 

• a foreign government or an agency or authority of a foreign government
•  an international organisation whose members include 2 or more countries or territories (or their governments) such as the UN or NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation)

8.2 Names that suggest the company is set up for criminal purposes

You will not be able to register a company by a name if, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, the registration of the company by that name is intended to facilitate the commission of what would, in the UK, constitute an offence involving dishonesty or deception (fraud).

This could include an attempt to target the name of an organisation, financial institution or business for the purpose of carrying out fraudulent activity.

8.3 Names containing computer code

You will not be able to register a company by a name that consists of or includes computer code.

9. Objections to company names

We may tell you to change your registered name if:

• the name is similar (also known as ‘too like’ an existing name on the index
• misleading information to support the use of a sensitive word or expression was provided at the time of registration
• the name gives so misleading an indication of the company’s activities, it is likely to pose a risk of harm to the public in the UK or elsewhere
• the name is used for criminal purposes
• the name has been wrongly registered
• the company no longer justifies omitting ‘Limited’ from the end of its name
• the name is the same as a name associated with the applicant (complainant) in which they have goodwill, or it is sufficiently similar and is likely to mislead by suggesting a connection between the company and the applicant (opportunistic registration)

We will allow at least 28 days to change your company name.

9.1 ‘Too like’ names

A company name may be ‘too like’ if it differs from another name on the index by only a few characters, signs symbols or punctuation - or if it looks and sounds the same.

If we get a complaint about a name being ‘too like’, we cannot consider factors such as:

• alleged trademark infringement
• implied association
• possible passing off
• geographic location
• similarity of activities

The Secretary of State must order a company to change a ‘too like’ name within 12 months that the company’s name was registered.

9.2 Misleading information

A company may be ordered to change its name if, within 5 years of registration:

• it no longer justifies the use of a previously approved sensitive word because misleading information was provided when the name was registered
• it is no longer fulfilling an undertaking or assurance given to support the name

9.3 Misleading indication of activities

A company may be ordered to change its name, if it gives so misleading an indication of the nature of its activities as to pose a risk of harm to the public in the UK or elsewhere. There is no time limit for making a complaint or issuing a order.

9.4 Reinstating ‘limited’ in a company name

The Secretary of State can order a company limited by guarantee to reinstate ‘limited’ (or variations) in its name, if it no longer meets the requirements for exemption.

9.5 Criminal purposes

The Secretary of State can order a company to change its name, if it appears the name has been used (or is intended to be used) by the company to facilitate the commission of an offence involving dishonesty or deception (fraud).

Companies House will consider any objections case-by-case, taking into account any evidence of fraudulent activity.

9.6 Names that should not have been registered 

A company may be ordered to change its name, if the name should not have been registered. For example:

• an offensive name is incorrectly registered
• approval was not provided for a sensitive word or expression

Companies House will consider using this power case-by-case.

9.7 Power to change a company’s name 

Where a company fails to comply with a order to change its name, Companies House can determine a new name for the company. We’ll give the company notice of this decision and will publish that fact on the Companies House register. 

Companies House can also change a company’s name if it includes computer code, and to remove any reference to the old name.

9.8 Opportunistic registration

Opportunistic registration is where a company registers a name that is:

• the same as an existing name in which another person has goodwill
• so similar to an existing name that it is likely to mislead

The Company Names Tribunal (CNT) is a part of the Intellectual Property Office that considers complaints about opportunistic registration. If the CNT upholds a complaint, the Company Names Adjudicator may order the company to change its name. If the company does not change its name, the adjudicator may tell Companies House to change the name of the company to its company number.

For more information, including application forms and contact information, visit the Company Names Tribunal.

9.9 Prohibitions on re-registering a name 

If Companies House or the CNT has ordered a company to change its name, the company must not re-register using the same name - or a name that is too similar. The officers or members of the company cannot use the name (or a similar name) for any new or existing company.

The only time this does not apply is where Companies House grants approval on behalf of the Secretary of State. For example, if a name that was previously ‘too like’ is now available.

10. Disclosure of company name and specified other information (trading disclosures)

A company must display its name:

• at the registered office
• at other places of business
• on business documents
• on websites

If you’re running your business from home, you do not need to display a sign there.

For more information, see Running a limited company: Signs, stationery and promotional material.

The requirements are included in the Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015.

10.1 Information the company must provide on request

Anyone the company deals with in the course of business can make a written request for:

• the address of its registered office
• the address of any place of inspection
• the type of company records kept at the registered office or inspection place

The company must provide this information within 5 working days, in writing.

11. Business names

A ‘business name’ is any name under which someone carries on business. For a limited company, this means a name that is not its registered name. For a sole trader, it means a name other than a surname with or without forenames or initials.

For a partnership, it means a name other than the partners’ names.

Entities registered under other legislation such as Limited partnerships, registered societies and corporate Incorporated organisations (CIOs) are business names under the Companies Act 2006.

11.1 Provisions that apply to business names

Business names are not registered under the Companies Act 2006. Some of the rules that apply are:

• restrictions on the use of sensitive words included in regulations and names that could imply a connection with a government department, a devolved administration, a local authority or a specified public authority
• restrictions on using a name that would be likely to give the false impression that the business is connected with a foreign government or an agency or authority of a foreign government,
• restrictions on using a name that would be likely to give the false impression that the business is connect with an international organisation whose members include 2 or more countries or territories (or their governments)
• restrictions on using a name that Companies House or the CNT has ordered to be changed
• inappropriate and misleading use of a name ending (false indication of company type or legal form), for example ‘limited’ at the end of the name or RTM anywhere in the name
• a name that gives so misleading an indication of the nature of the activities of the business as to be likely to cause harm to the public
• rules requiring the names of sole traders and partnerships using a business name to be displayed on stationery and signs at business premises

11.2 Approval to use a sensitive word in your business name

If your business name includes any of the words and expressions included in Annexes A to C, you must get approval and, where appropriate, obtain the written views of a relevant body and send it to Companies House with your letter seeking permission to use the name.

If you use a business name with a sensitive word without approval, you are committing an offence. You could get a fine and face legal action.

Search the UK Intellectual Property Office trademarks register to check your business name does not risk infringing an existing trade mark.