Northern Ireland company registration

Register a Company in Northern Ireland

Form your Northern Ireland limited company online, with Companies House filing and support from our Belfast team.

  • Forming NI companies since 1994
  • Expert help from our Belfast team
  • 22,000+ companies formed

Is a Limited company right for you?

For most commercial businesses

Suitable for sole founders and businesses with multiple owners, with ownership divided into shares.

  • At least one director
  • At least one shareholder
  • Suitable for one-person and multi-owner businesses
  • Clear ownership through shares
  • Multiple share classes supported

What’s included

  • Companies House filing and fee
  • Certificate of incorporation and formation documents
  • Share certificates for the initial shareholders
  • Guidance from our Belfast team

How it works

A simple formation process

1

Check your name and apply

Check availability, then enter your company, director and shareholder details online.

2

We review and file

Our team completes the required checks, confirms any queries with you and submits the incorporation to Companies House.

3

Receive your documents

Once incorporated, you receive your company documents and confirmation of registration.

Check your company name

What we’ll need

Information to have ready

  • Proposed company name and registered email
  • Director details, completed Companies House identity verification and personal codes
  • Shareholder details, share classes and share allocation
  • Registered office address
  • Company activities and SIC code information

Need a Belfast registered office?

You’ll need a suitable Northern Ireland registered office. This address appears on the public register.

Our Belfast registered office is available separately if you prefer to use our address.

View registered office service →

Limited company FAQs

What does limited liability mean?

A private limited company is a legal entity separate from its shareholders. Shareholders normally have liability limited to the amount they have agreed to invest in the company, rather than being personally responsible for all of the company’s debts simply because they own shares.

Directors manage the company and have their own legal and statutory responsibilities.

What happens after incorporation?

Formation is the start of the company’s statutory filing responsibilities. The company will need to keep its registered details up to date and make the required Companies House filings, including annual accounts and a confirmation statement.

Changes to directors, the registered office, PSC information and the share structure may also need to be reported. Our Belfast team can help with ongoing statutory filings after incorporation.

Can one person be both director and shareholder?

Yes. A private limited company can be formed with one person acting as both director and shareholder.

Do I need a Northern Ireland registered office?

Yes, if the company is registered in Northern Ireland. We can provide this service if required.

Is the Companies House filing fee included?

Yes. The £199 + VAT formation price includes the Companies House filing fee.

What is the difference between a director and a shareholder?

Directors are responsible for running the company, while shareholders own shares in it. The same person can be both a director and a shareholder.

What is a PSC?

A person with significant control (PSC) is someone who meets one or more statutory control conditions, for example by holding more than 25% of the company’s shares or voting rights.

Do directors need to verify their identity?

Yes. For a new company, each proposed director must complete Companies House identity verification and provide their personal code for the incorporation filing.

Is my registered office publicly visible?

Yes. The registered office is displayed on the Companies House register. The company’s registered email address is not published.

Ready to form your Limited company?

Check your proposed name, then continue straight into the online order.

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