Companies House

6th April 2011 - Web Incorporation Service Launch

Today, Companies House launches its Web Incorporation Service in conjunction with the government's website for business, www.businesslink.gov.uk/WebInc. The service allows anyone to set up a limited company, with model articles, for a statutory fee of just £18; this is a key part of the government's aim to make the UK one of the easiest and most cost effective places to start a business.

This new, easy-to-use service, allows anyone accessing it the chance to incorporate quickly and efficiently, giving business people and entrepreneurs the option to carry out their own incorporations. This will mean they will typically receive their certificate of incorporation within 24 hours. This is another important step in moving Companies House towards a fully electronic registry. Already, over 70% of all customer transactions are received in this way.

The government aims to make all key business-related content transactions available on www.businesslink.gov.uk Business Link is government's online resource for businesses. It contains essential information, support and services for you and your business. The site already contains a much broader range of information and guidance on starting a company than Companies House alone – for example information on tax, business support and training as well as company incorporation.

Ease of use guidance: Customers will need to register with their email address and a password of their choice and will then need the following information to complete the e-form:

• Company name and address
• Details of directors and secretary (optional)
• Details of each shareholder and the value of their shares
• Payment details (there is a fee of £18 for the service)

Customers will find guidance throughout the form to help answer questions. They can also save answers and return to complete the application later. A summary of the information entered is shown at the end of each section and on completion of the form. This allows for the form to be review and amend before final submission.

An incomplete application will be deleted from the system three months from the date it was first registered.  If you request another application, then the data from the original application will be lost.

Neil White
ICT & Press Manager, Companies House
tel: 02920 380161
e-mail: nwhite@companieshouse.gov.uk