When registering a limited company there are four documents which must be provided to Companies House. These are:

Memorandum of association

This document sets out the following:

  • The company’s name
  • Where the company’s registered office is located – England, Wales or Scotland
  • What the company will do – this can be as simple as: ‘to conduct business as a general commercial company’

Articles of association

Here’s where you set out the rules for running your company. You must state how shares will be allocated and transferred, how the directors, the secretary and your meetings will be governed. The standard document used is Table A, of the Companies Act. However, if choose an amended version of Table A, you must submit this version when registering. Once your company is incorporated you can only make changes if the holders of 75% of the voting rights in your company agree, so it pays to get this right at the outset.

Form 10

This document gives details of the first director(s), company secretary and the address of the registered office. Company directors must also give their name, address, date of birth, occupation and details of other directorships held in the last five years. For Northern Ireland use Form 21

Form 12

This document is the statutory declaration of compliance with all the legal requirements of the incorporation of a company. It must be signed by either one of the company directors or secretary named on Form 10, or the solicitor forming the company. The signing of the document must be witnessed by a solicitor, a commissioner for oaths, a justice of the peace or a notary public. For Northern Ireland use Form 23

Form 12 must not be signed and dated before any of the other documents are completed, signed and dated.

Where can I get these documents?

Form 10 and Form 12 can be obtained for free from the Companies House website.  

The memorandum and articles of association can be obtained from legal stationers, accountants, solicitors or company formation agents.

Cost of submitting the documents

The standard fee to register a limited company is £20 but for a same day service it costs £50.

If the registration documents are filed using the Companies House software filing service the fee is £15 for standard and £30 for same-day registration. However, to file electronically you must either purchase the suitable software, develop your own or go through an agent.