Set up a private limited company with directors, shareholders, PSCs, identity verification, registered office, SIC codes, tax readiness and annual filings organised from day one.
A company limited by shares is a separate legal entity registered with Companies House. Its ownership is represented by shares, while directors manage the company and owe legal duties.
Key company details appear on a public register. Overseas founders should therefore plan addresses, identity verification, ownership disclosures, tax residence and reliable company records before incorporation.
Check availability, restricted words and potential trade-mark conflict.
At least one natural-person director with verified identity and service details.
Define capital, classes, rights, ownership and subscriber information.
Identify and report persons who own or control the company.
Use an appropriate physical address in the correct UK jurisdiction.
Select the activity code or codes that accurately describe the business.
People setting up, running, owning or controlling a company must meet the applicable identity-verification requirement. Verified individuals receive a personal code used to connect their identity to company roles.
Confirm shareholders, directors, UK activity, customers, establishment, tax residence and banking plans.
Check the proposed name and define shares, voting, directors, PSCs and articles.
Directors and PSCs complete the applicable Companies House verification and personal-code steps.
Arrange an appropriate physical address in the correct UK jurisdiction and a monitored registered email.
Submit incorporation details, SIC code, statement of capital, lawful-purpose confirmations and constitutional documents.
Organise incorporation records, statutory registers, share evidence, banking profile and HMRC correspondence.
Track accounts, Corporation Tax, confirmation statement, address, officer, PSC and event-driven filings.
Company name, number, registered office, officers, filing history, accounts, confirmation statements and PSC information can be publicly searchable. Certain personal details receive statutory protection.
Confirm registered information and complete identity-linked director requirements.
Prepare and file accounts in the applicable format and by the company deadline.
Maintain records, notify or register as required, submit the Company Tax Return and pay tax.
Keep ownership, resolutions, accounting, contracts and statutory information organised.
Report director, PSC, address, capital and other register changes within applicable windows.
Monitor Companies House, HMRC and legal correspondence at the registered address.
Identity VerificationUnderstand personal codes, director appointments, PSC windows and the new mandatory verification workflow.
Read the Article
Document ChecklistPrepare directors, shareholders, PSCs, addresses, SIC codes and capital details for incorporation.
Read the Article
Annual ComplianceCoordinate accounts, confirmation statement, statutory records and event-driven Companies House updates.
Read the Article
Tax & AccountsBuild HMRC registration, accounting records, accounts and tax-return readiness after incorporation.
Read the ArticleAnswers covering overseas ownership, registered office, identity verification, PSCs, UTR and annual filing.
Yes. A UK private limited company can generally have overseas shareholders and directors, but it must meet Companies House identity, address, disclosure and filing requirements. Tax residence and operating presence need separate advice.
A private company must have at least one natural-person director, but Companies House guidance does not generally require that director to be UK resident. Address, identity, tax and banking requirements still apply.
The company needs an appropriate physical address in the same UK jurisdiction in which it is registered. A PO Box alone is not acceptable, and delivered company mail must come to the company’s attention.
It is a legal requirement for directors and PSCs. New directors must use their Companies House personal code for incorporation or appointment, while PSCs follow their applicable verification window.
A person with significant control can include someone holding more than 25% of shares or voting rights, able to appoint or remove a majority of directors, or otherwise exercising significant influence or control.
Standard Industrial Classification codes describe the company’s activities on the public register. Choose codes that reflect the intended business and update them when the activity changes.
HMRC generally sends the company’s Unique Taxpayer Reference to its Companies House registered address after incorporation. Overseas circumstances can take longer.
Common obligations include annual accounts, Corporation Tax compliance and a confirmation statement, plus event-driven updates for directors, PSCs, addresses, share capital and other register information.