How to Obtain a Company Formation Licence in the United Kingdom?

How to Obtain a Company Formation Licence in the United Kingdom?

The term ‘business’ usually evokes positive associations with wealth and success. However, those who embark on the process of registering a business soon find themselves overwhelmed with paperwork. Even if the company has not yet commenced operations, administrative tasks and legal requirements are already beginning to pile up. We recommend seeking professional assistance to ensure a smooth and streamlined registration process.
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How to Get a Certificate of Incorporation in the UK – United Kingdom: A Comprehensive Guide

In the UK – United Kingdom, the above document is called the certificate of incorporation.

What is a Company Certificate of Incorporation?

What is a certificate of incorporation and what is it for? This is probably one of the most common questions among people who plan to start a business and are trying to understand the basic concepts and documents related to the registration process. The Company Certificate of Incorporation is an official legal document that confirms and certifies that Companies House has registered the business in accordance with the UK – United Kingdom Companies Act. This type of document confirms that the firm exists as a separate legal entity, distinct from its owners and shareholders. And such a legal entity already has certain rights and obligations. The existence of the certificate of incorporation confirms that the business can be a party to a contract or different types of transactions, or a party to a lawsuit.

What is on the company certificate of incorporation?

The registration certificate contains the following information:

What is the legal significance of the certificate?

The Company Certificate of Incorporation refers to the legally binding document that confirms the establishment of a business. A certificate of incorporation proves that your business is properly and legally registered.

Obtain a Certificate of Incorporation

When and where to get a Certificate of Incorporation?

Companies House, as the official registrar of companies in the UK – United Kingdom, issues a certificate confirming the registration of the business. You can obtain a certificate of incorporation independently by applying online or by post through Companies House. Additionally, you can use the services of a company registration agent to obtain the above document.

Apply for a Certificate of Incorporation through Companies House

Submit an application for a certificate of incorporation through the Companies House Web Incorporation Services.

To apply, you must meet the following conditions:

  1. Collect the relevant information, including:
     
    • Detailed information about the firm's directors and secretaries (name, surname, date of birth, residential address, nationality, position held);
    • Information about shareholders and their shares;
    • In the memorandum and articles of association;
    • Two or three proposed business names;
    • Information about the office address.
  2. Register for the Web Registration Service: After receiving the documents (information) specified above, you must register for the Web Registration Service at Companies House. To do this, enter your email address (or create one) and password.
  3. Fill out the correct online application (proposed name of the firm, location, etc.).
  4. Pay the commission and receive the results of the application's consideration (upon acceptance or rejection of the application submitted by the applicant) by email (see paragraph 2).

If you are considering applying by post, first download the appropriate forms from the Companies House portal. Then, fill out these forms, indicating all the necessary information. Send your application to one of the following addresses:

Registrar of Companies (England and Wales) Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff CF14 3UZ, DX 33050, Cardiff;

Registrar of Companies (Northern Ireland) Companies House, 2nd Floor The Linenhall, 32-38 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BG, DX481 NR Belfast 1;

Registrar of Companies (Scotland) Companies House, 4th Floor, Edinburgh Quay 2, 139 Fountainbridge Edinburgh, EH3 9FF, DX ED235 Edinburgh 1.

Using a Formation Agent to Apply for a Certificate of Incorporation

If you do not have time to deal with the process of obtaining a certificate of incorporation, Formation Agents (lawyers) can effectively help in the registration process. To obtain a company certificate of incorporation in the UK – United Kingdom through a Formation Agent, follow the requirements below:

  1. Collect the relevant information and documents of the firm and transfer them to the Formation Agent, namely:
     
    • Proposed company name(s);
    • Information about the business's directors and secretaries;
    • Data on shareholders and their shares;
    • Legal address (if any). Many formation agents provide registered office services.
      The formation agent can help you develop the articles of association, properly drafted to suit the actual needs of the business and its activities.
  2. Choose a suitable page by following the services offered by the formation agent. Pay the necessary fee and wait for the registration confirmation.

 

Digital or Printed Company Certificate of Incorporation

If the registration procedure is carried out directly through Companies House, the registration company will send a digital certificate by email in the case of online registration. Regarding the timing of issuance, digital certificates are usually issued within 24-48 hours.

If the registration was done using a print application, the applicant can also receive a paper certificate by post. Processing of postal applications takes about 8-10 days. Therefore, a printed copy of the certificate will be delivered to the address of the applicant's registered office. It usually takes a few business days after registration.

If the applicant uses the services of an online company formation agent, the applicant can receive a digital PDF copy of the registration certificate by email. As soon as Companies House approves the application, which usually takes a few days, the Formation Agent will send you a certificate. The applicant can also receive a printed copy and mail.

 

Timelines for receiving the certificate of incorporation

If you register a business by post, it will be delivered by post a few days after Companies House has favorably reviewed your application. At the same time, keep in mind that the processing of postal attachments takes about 8-10 days. When registering online, the time to obtain a certificate of incorporation is reduced several times and can take up to 3 days. Accordingly, online registration with further certificate acquisition is a priority.

When do you need to use the Certificate of Incorporation?

The Company Certificate of Incorporation should be stored in a safe and easily accessible place so that it can be presented to any kind of business or organization when needed, or a copy can be made immediately.

You will need to provide a company certificate of incorporation in situations such as:

The list of situations where you can use your company certificate of incorporation is not exhaustive. Everything depends on business activities and legal requirements.

How to get a copy or replacement of the Certificate of Incorporation?

In the UK – United Kingdom, you can get a copy or a replacement of the Certificate of Incorporation by following these steps:

  1. Visit the Companies House website and click on the “Find company information” option.
  2. Enter the name or registration number of the company for which you need a copy of the Certificate of Incorporation.
  3. On the company's overview page, click on "Filing history" to view a list of the company's past filings.
  4. Find the original Certificate of Incorporation document in the list of applications. It is usually the first filing listed and is called "Incorporation".
  5. Click the "View PDF" button next to the original Certificate of Incorporation to view and print a copy of the document.

If the original Certificate of Incorporation is not available online or is lost, you can request a new one. All you need to do is fill out the IN01 form and send it to Companies House with a fee. You can find the form on the Companies House website under "Forms". You will need to provide information about the business, including its name, registration number, and registered office address. Once Companies House receives your application and fee, it will issue a new Certificate of Incorporation.

 

Does changing the company name affect the Company Certificate of Incorporation?

To change your business's name, you must follow the process specified by Companies House. It usually involves filling out a form called NM01 – Notice of Change of Name by Resolution. This form requires you to provide information about your current company name, your new company name, and the date the change will take effect. You will also need to provide a copy of your company's special resolution, which is a document that confirms your shareholders have approved the name change.

After you submit the NM01 form and supporting documents, Companies House will review your application and issue a new certificate of incorporation reflecting your new business name. This process can take a few days to complete, depending on the volume of applications Companies House is processing.

Note that apart from the new business name, all other information specified on the new certificate will remain the same as at the time of the initial registration.

In addition to the business registration, this process can be done online or by post.

Lost Certificate of Incorporation: Steps to get a new one

Sometimes we can inadvertently lose the registration certificate. If this happens, do not panic. Like any official document, you can restore it. To get a new copy of the lost document, you can choose one of the following ways:

  1. Way 1 – is online through the Companies House Service.

The Companies House Service provides free online access to business-related information and, accordingly, to the documents related to it. All you want is to:

and at the final stage, you can upload a scanned copy of the original registration certificate.

  1. Way 2 – is through a Formation Agent.

To do this, you need to contact the company formation agent you approached during the opening of your business and inform them that an important document such as the certificate of incorporation has been lost. The formation agent will be able to get both a new digital copy and a printed copy of this certificate. Way 3 – is a physical replacement from Companies House.

You can order a replacement paper Certificate of Incorporation directly from Companies House. To do this, you need to call the contact center. Also, you can visit one of the information centers of Companies House on your own. It costs £15 or £50 (if you want to get a new document on the same day). The choice of the time frame for obtaining a certificate of incorporation depends on the applicant. Digital copies by email are also available.

As you can see from the above, the options for retrieving a company's certificate of incorporation are varied. And which one to choose depends only on you and your capabilities.

Where to store the certificate

The certificate of incorporation is a document that confirms that a legal entity has been registered in accordance with the legislation of the UK – United Kingdom. You must keep it at the registered office or SAIL address along with your firm's records and registers. A certificate of incorporation may be required during the verification of your legal records. Also, it will not be superfluous to have backup digital copies for correspondence with counterparties, banks, and other business partners who may need to be familiar with the data of the business registration certificate.

How do I find a company's certificate of incorporation?

You will receive a certificate of incorporation after completing the incorporation process at Companies House. Your Certificate of Incorporation will be sent to you in digital and/or paper format, depending on how you registered your business.

Do all companies have a certificate of incorporation?

A business certificate of incorporation is a document issued to all limited companies, LLPs, and other business entities registered at Companies House.

How can I get a certificate of incorporation online in the UK?

You will receive a certificate of incorporation after completing the company registration process. You will only need to provide some information about the firm (name, address, etc.) and pay the appropriate fee for the service.

How do I verify a UK certificate of incorporation?

There are the following ways to confirm a certificate of incorporation in the UK:
1st way – online application through the Companies House Service;
2nd way – physical renewal from Companies House;
3rd way – through a Formation Agent.

Where to find a certificate of incorporation at Companies House?

The Companies House Service provides free online access to company information and documents. To do this, you should enter your company's name in the search field and follow the other suggestions. Also, you can visit one of the information centers of Companies House on your own. In the case of a personal visit, it costs £15 or £50 (if you want to get a new document on the same day).

 

 

How to Obtain a Company Formation Licence in the United Kingdom?

The business registration process must be supported by an appropriate document. The name of the document may vary. However, its essence remains the same – confirmation of the existence of a commercial entity in a specific country.

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