FREE COMPANY REGISTRATION

Q: What information do I need to provide to form my new company?

You’ll need these items: Your unique company name Use our search tool above and we’ll instantly tell you if your company name is available. Personal information You’ll need personal information such as your address, date of birth, and nationality. Registered office address You can choose your home address or your business address (if you have a separate trading address). You can also use a virtual business address if you have one.

Register a company online for free

Don't miss out! Register your UK company for free before May 1st, when Companies House introduces new pricing.

Start your business journey with Tide - yes, it really is free until May 1st!

See whether your company name is available and register in minutes.

Receive your certificate of incorporation within hours.

Get a free business bank account at registration.

We only accept single shareholders

Join over 550,000 business owners today!

We are the UK's leading business finance platform, serving over 10% of all SME's. Whether you are a contractor, freelancer or scaling business - this is the place for you.

Tide makes registering a limited company easy

Register your company with Tide for free

We’re an authorised agent of Companies House and will fund almost all of the incorporation fee for you.

Get up and running in no time

Get registered and receive your Companies House certificate of incorporation within one business day. Once you’re set up you can access all your business account needs in one app!

Trusted by over 500,000 UK businesses

We support small businesses, from cupcake makers to coders, giving business owners the time back to do what they love and grow their business.

Company Registration is free until May 1st!

Companies House is changing the pricing for LTD incorporation in the UK on May 1st, and the fee will rise to £50. Until then you can still register your company with Tide for FREE!

Set your new business up with a Virtual Office Address

At Tide, you can choose to add-on a Virtual Office Address when you register your company – keep your home address private and use a registered address based in central London.

Your virtual office gives you a permanent address, saving you less admin. Even if you’re a digital nomad, we can scan and email your mail to you, so you’ll never miss an important letter!

Learn more

Company registration in five simple steps

Make your business come alive in minutes - register your company online and even open your bank account with Tide.

Check whether your company name is available
Enter your business and personal details
Receive your limited company certificate of incorporation
Get your free business bank account at the same time
You can choose to register your domain name and set up a Virtual Office Address along the way!

Why use Tide's company formation service?

Tide is here to support you in starting your own company. We believe the world would be a better place if more people gave it a shot – that’s why we’ve made company formations easier than ever.

It's good value

We’ll take care of the £12 company registration fee and won’t charge any monthly fees on your business account.

It's fast

Registering your business takes minutes, and you could receive your certificate of incorporation within a day.

It's secure

We’re a Companies House authorised formation agent and FSCS-protected, so you’re in safe hands.

What you need to register your company

Here's what you'll need to register your company with Tide:

Unique company name

Use our search tool to instantly check if your company name is available. Alternatively, use our Name Checker to check up to 8 business names at once.

Registered office address

Ensure you have an address within the UK for official communications to be sent to. If you don’t have one, you can opt for a Virtual Office Address during sign up.

Director and shareholder information

You'll need the name, nationality, date of birth, address and occupation of the director. If there's more than one, this information can be added later with Companies House.

Kate ClanLoud Architects

Setting up an account was really easy and has saved me hours of admin.

Learn more about registering a company

Does Tide register my business directly with Companies House?

Yes. We’re an authorized formation agent of Companies House, and we’re securely integrated with them, so you can trust us to register your limited company.

What information do I need to provide to form my new company?

You’ll need these items:

Your unique company name Use our search tool above and we’ll instantly tell you if your company name is available.

Personal information You’ll need personal information such as your address, date of birth, and nationality.

Registered office address You can choose your home address or your business address (if you have a separate trading address). You can also use a virtual business address if you have one.

How long does it take to register a limited company through Tide?

It depends. In many cases, Companies House will incorporate your company within 1 business day. The majority of businesses are incorporated within 48 hours. Please note that Companies House does not work on weekends so if you send an application on a Friday, it will take longer.

Can I register a UK company myself without the help of a solicitor or an accountant?

Yes, you can! With our simple registration process, all you need is the correct information and we’ll register your new company with Companies House for you.

Do I have to have LTD at the end of my company name?

Companies House requires limited companies to have either Limited or LTD at the end of the company name. If you don't include LTD or Limited in your search, we will automatically add LTD. There is no difference between the name endings Limited or Ltd, except for how they look.

Do I need to sign any documents?

Not on paper – it’s all done online with a digital signature to make things simple. No printing or scanning required!

What are my responsibilities after setting up a limited company?

You’ll have yearly responsibilities such as your tax return and annual return plus ongoing tasks like keeping records of the company and keeping a register of PSC’s (People with significant control). Full details can be found on the gov.uk website.

What is the difference between LTD and Limited?

There is no difference between the name endings ‘Limited’ or ‘Ltd’, except for how they look. Companies House requires limited companies to have either Limited or Ltd at the end of the company name. By default we select Ltd, but you can also choose the ‘Limited’ option if you prefer.

Help, my question isn’t answered here…

Find answers to all our most frequently asked questions about registering a company

Join Tide today, the business platform built for you

Tide is about doing what you love. That’s why we’re trusted by 500,000+ sole traders, freelancers and limited companies throughout the UK.

Join Tide