How to Get Certificate of Incorporation in 2022: 4 Steps to Follow

Whether you’re opening a brick-and-mortar business or starting an online business in the UK, you will need to know all about certification of incorporation. This certification is essential for running a business, as, without it, you will not be able to conduct numerous important activities as a company.

This article will explain what sort of information is contained within an incorporation certificate, as well as how to get a certificate of incorporation yourself. It will also explain what your options are if you need to order a replacement certificate for whatever reason.

What Is a Certification of Incorporation?

So, what is a certification of incorporation? You may have heard the term used without being one hundred per cent sure what it refers to.

Put simply, a certificate of incorporation is an important legal document that confirms a business’ formation. You may have heard it referred to by other names, for example, a corporate charter or articles of incorporation. 

Certification of incorporation is essential for conducting business as an organisation. It allows you to form a company and establish headquarters within a particular location, acting as proof of licensing from government authorities.

A business must acquire a certificate of incorporation before it can perform certain actions, for example:

• Applying for company permits and licences.
• Recruiting workers.
• Opening a business bank account.
• Obtaining a business loan.
• Filing taxes.
• Applying for grants.

Note that if you are a sole trader, you will not need a certificate of incorporation. This is because sole trader registration in the UK does not require you to go through Companies House. 

Which Information Is Contained in a Certificate of Incorporation?

The precise information contained within a corporate charter depends on where you are. However, in the UK, you can expect to find the following information in a certificate of incorporation:

• The business’ registered name.
• The business’ company registration number, or CRN.
• The Royal Coat of Arms, as well as the Registrar of Companies’ seal.
• The location where your company is registered (i.e., Scotland, England and Wales, or Northern Ireland) and the issuing registrar (Edinburgh, London, Cardiff, or Belfast).
• The regulations under which the company has been established.

How to Get a Certificate of Incorporation in the UK

Now that we’ve covered what a certificate of incorporation is for and what sort of information is contained within one, you’re no doubt wondering how to get an incorporation certificate of a company. In this section, we’ll break down the process for you into a few simple steps.

1. Apply either through an online company formation agent or Companies House

When applying for a certificate of incorporation in the UK, the first thing to decide is whether you’d prefer to go through an online company formation agent or directly through Companies House.

If you choose to go through an agent, you will most likely receive a digital copy of your certificate. This will most likely be saved in a PDF format and will be sent to whatever email address you provided the agency with. Some agencies do offer hard copies as part of their formation packages, as well. It’s important to note that a paper certificate could take several days to reach you, whereas you should be sent a digital certificate within 3-6 hours. 

If you choose to register directly through Companies House, you can apply either online or by post. With the former route, you’ll be sent a digital certificate in between one and two days. Postal applications take far longer to process, sometimes as long as ten days, and usually another two days to be delivered.

You can use the Companies House website for more than just acquiring a certificate of incorporation. If you’re looking to quickly register a dormant company, the process is quite similar to applying for certification of incorporation.

2. Provide the required information

Once you’ve decided how you’re going to get your company’s certificate of incorporation, you’re ready to get started. 

You will have to provide some information to apply for your certification of incorporation. This includes your company name and address, your SIC code, and the details of your company’s directors and secretaries. This information includes their name, address, nationality, date of birth, and more.

You will also be expected to provide a statement of capital with your application and will be asked for certain details regarding your company’s shareholders.

More information on the information required for your certificate application can be found on the Companies House website.

3. Confirm you’ve complied with the Companies Act 2006

As part of your certification of incorporation application, you’ll have to confirm that you are in full compliance with the Companies Act 2006. You will be expected to confirm a statement to that effect and may also be expected to provide further information on your shareholders.

4. Make your payment

After you’ve input all the necessary information and carefully reviewed it for any errors, it’s time to make your payment. If you have registered with an online agent, prices may vary. Different agents may also offer a different variety of payment methods.

Registering with Companies House online will cost you £15, not including any telephone or broadband charges you may incur. You can make this payment using either credit or debit cards from all major providers, PayPal, or with an Online Filing Services Credit Account.

How Can You Get a Copy of Your Certificate of Incorporation?

The simplest and quickest way to access a copy of your incorporation certificate is to download a digital version from the Companies House Services website. This can be achieved in a few simple steps:

1. Search for your company on the Companies House website.
2. Select your company from the results list.
3. Click ‘Filing History’.
4. Navigate to the bottom of the page and click ‘View PDF’.
5. From there, you can either download or print your PDF.

If you’d prefer, you can order a hard copy of your certificate over the phone. This will cost you, however. If you would like same-day service, you will be charged £50 for delivery. Otherwise, this service will cost you £15. 

To place an order over the phone, you will need your company name as well as your CRN. 

How Can You Retrieve a Lost Certificate of Incorporation?

If you ever lose your original certificate of incorporation, don’t panic; there are a couple of ways you can acquire another copy of it.

Your first option is to order another copy through Companies House Services. The process is precisely the same as the steps outlined in the above section: you can either download a free digital copy online or order a replacement hard copy over the phone.

Your second option is to get a replacement certificate of incorporation from your company formation agent. 

Consider The Hoxton Mix Your Trusted Partner

The Hoxton Mix is a virtual office rental service that allows businesses all the benefits of a prime London address without any of the expensive overheads. But, on top of that, we can also help you to register and form your own limited company!

Our experts can answer all questions you may have about the company formation process. If you have any concerns, any queries, if there’s anything you’re even the slightest bit unsure of, we’ll be more than happy to help

We also make sure that you get all the documentation you need: an incorporation certificate, of course, but also a share certificate, combined register, memorandum of association, and more!

So, if you want to benefit from our expert services or have questions about what more we can offer you and your business, get in touch today!

Final Thoughts

A certificate of incorporation is a crucial part of forming a business. Without it, you cannot perform certain essential actions, such as opening a business bank account or applying for permits. Thankfully, it is quite easy to get your hands on such a certificate, whether directly through Companies House or through an agency. 

If you’d like to find out how The Hoxton Mix can help you with your incorporation certification, get in touch now.

FAQ

How long will it take me to get my certificate of incorporation?

The answer to this question depends on whether you’re going through an agency or Companies House, as well as whether you’re getting a digital or paper certificate. Through an agency, you can receive a digital certificate in 3-6 working hours.  If you go through Companies House, it usually takes 24-48 hours for a digital paper to be issued. However, if you decide to order a physical copy from them, you may be waiting more than ten days.

Can I get a certificate of incorporation online?

Yes, you can get a certificate of incorporation online. You can either apply for your registration certificate online through an agency or directly through Companies House. Regardless, you will have to fill out an application with all the necessary details of your company.

How much does it cost to file for incorporation?

Submitting an application for a digital incorporation certificate costs £15 through Companies House. Prices may vary through an agency.