What is online company formation?
Online company formation is the process of registering a UK limited company entirely through electronic means — no paper forms, no postal applications, no visits to Companies House. You complete a form online, your details are submitted electronically via Companies House's WebFiling system, and your Certificate of Incorporation is delivered by email.
This is now the standard way companies are formed in the UK. Historically, forming a company meant completing paper form IN01, sending it by post to Companies House in Cardiff, and waiting 8–10 working days for a response. The fee for a paper application was £40.
Electronic filing changed all of that. When you form a company online today, your application is submitted electronically and Companies House processing times vary. Check the current filing fee and any partner terms before applying. Documents arrive by email where provided electronically.
The registration is processed electronically via Companies House's WebFiling system as part of the Tide formation flow. The result is exactly the same as any other method: a company that appears on the public register at Companies House, with a unique Company Registration Number, fully recognised under the Companies Act 2006.
How online company formation works — step by step
The process from start to Certificate of Incorporation involves five straightforward steps, all completed online without any physical paperwork.
- 1
Complete your details online
You provide your proposed company name, director information (name, date of birth, nationality, usual residential address and service address), the registered office address, your share structure (how many shares, at what value, held by whom), and your SIC code (the code that describes your business activity). The time required depends on your company details. You do this through the optional Tide partner journey.
- 2
Open your Tide business account application
As part of the optional partner journey, you may apply for a Tide business bank account. Any offer relating to the Companies House filing fee is controlled by Tide and depends on its current terms, identity checks, and eligibility criteria.
- 3
Application submitted to Companies House electronically
Once your details are complete and verified, the formation application is submitted electronically to Companies House via their WebFiling system. The Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association are included in the submission. Your consent to act as director is recorded electronically.
- 4
Companies House reviews the application
Companies House checks that the proposed name is not already taken, that it complies with naming rules, and that all required information has been provided. Processing times vary and are not guaranteed.
- 5
Receive your Certificate of Incorporation by email
Once approved, your Certificate of Incorporation is issued. It arrives by email as a PDF. This is the legal document that proves your company exists. It shows your company name, your unique Company Registration Number (CRN), and your date of incorporation. Your company is now live on the Companies House register.
What you receive after online registration
After successful registration, all your incorporation documents are delivered electronically by email. There are no paper documents to wait for and no trip to any office. Here is what you receive:
Certificate of Incorporation
The foundational legal document confirming your company exists. It states your company name, Company Registration Number, and date of incorporation. Required when opening a business bank account, entering contracts, and for most official purposes.
Memorandum of Association
A brief constitutional document confirming that the founding shareholders (subscribers) agreed to form the company. It is a statutory document required under the Companies Act 2006 and is automatically generated during online formation.
Articles of Association
The rules governing how your company is run — covering decisions, meetings, director powers, and shareholder rights. Standard model articles are used unless you specify otherwise. These can be amended after incorporation by special resolution.
Share Certificates
Documents confirming each shareholder's ownership stake in the company. Issued electronically after incorporation, they state the shareholder's name, the number of shares held, and the class of shares.
Is online company formation safe and legitimate?
Yes, completely. Online company formation via Companies House's WebFiling system is not a shortcut or an informal route — it is the official, standard method used for the vast majority of UK company registrations. There is nothing less legitimate about it compared to a paper application or using a solicitor.
Companies House is the UK government's official registrar of companies, operating under the Companies Act 2006. Every company registered in the UK — regardless of how the application was submitted — appears on the same public register. Your Company Registration Number, Certificate of Incorporation, and company documents all carry exactly the same legal weight.
The WebFiling system is operated directly by Companies House and uses secure HTTPS connections. Identity verification is handled as part of the formation process. Anti-Money Laundering (AML) checks are conducted by Tide as part of their account opening process.
In short: every limited company formed in the UK today is publicly listed on the Companies House register, searchable by anyone, and governed by the same law. Whether you paid a solicitor £500 or used an online formation route, your company is identical in legal terms.
Online company formation vs paper application
The differences between online and paper formation are significant. There is no legal or quality difference in the resulting company — but the process, speed, cost, and convenience are very different.
| Factor | Online Formation | Paper Application |
|---|---|---|
| Processing time | Varies by application and Companies House workload | Usually longer; check current guidance |
| Cost | Current Companies House fee; check partner terms | Current Companies House fee |
| How documents arrive | By email as PDF | By post |
| Device required | Any — phone, tablet, laptop, desktop | Must print and sign forms |
| Memorandum of Association | Generated electronically | Must be physically signed |
| Convenience | Complete from anywhere, anytime | Postal application, fixed process |
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Frequently asked questions
Can I form a company entirely online?
Yes. The entire UK company formation process can be completed online. You fill in your company details through an online form — company name, director information, registered office address, share structure, and SIC code — and the application is submitted electronically to Companies House. There is no need to visit any office, print any documents, or arrange any appointments.
How long does online formation take?
Companies House typically processes online formation applications within 24 working hours. In many cases the Certificate of Incorporation arrives by email the same working day. This compares to 8–10 working days for a paper-based application. The 24-hour window begins once Companies House receives and accepts your application.
Do I need to print or sign anything?
No. Online company formation requires no printing and no wet signatures. The Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association are submitted electronically. Your consent to act as director is given as part of the online form. All incorporation documents are delivered to you by email as PDF files.
Can I complete online formation on my phone?
Yes. The formation process is fully mobile-friendly and can be completed on any smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer. You do not need to install any software; all you need is an internet connection and the information required for the application.
What documents will I receive?
After successful registration you will receive by email: your Certificate of Incorporation (confirming your company name, registration number, and date of incorporation), your Memorandum of Association, your Articles of Association, and your share certificates. These are legally valid PDF documents — you do not need paper originals for most purposes.