Guidance

Limited liability partnership incorporation and names

Sets out the main requirements for incorporating a limited liability partnership (LLP) in the UK.

• From: Companies House
• Published: 1 June 2013
• Last updated: 1 February 2026
  Show all updates

  1. 1 February 2026

     Fees updated.

  2. 1 May 2024

     Fees updated.

  3. 4 March 2024

     Updated for measures under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act.

  4. 1 November 2017

     Guidance republished as HTML.

  5. 27 July 2016

     Version 6 replaced by Version 6.1: Inserted link in chapter 1 paragraph 7 point 6 to PSC guidance page. Inserted link in chapter 1 paragraph 8 to the LLP registers 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 5.4 uploaded

  8. 27 March 2015

     Latest guidance booklet uploaded (v5.3)

  9. 5 February 2015

     Welsh translation booklet added

  10. 2 February 2015

      Version 5.1 replaced with Version 5.2

  11. 4 December 2014

      Welsh translation added.

  12. 1 June 2013

      First published.

Documents

Limited liability partnerships: 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 an LLP or business name.

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Annex B: Words and expressions which, when used in an LLP or business name, 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 an LLP
• choosing your LLP name including controls and restrictions
• changing your LLP name and other information