Everything you need to know about Form IN01

What is Form IN01?

Form IN01 is the Companies House application form used to incorporate a new limited company in the United Kingdom — private companies limited by shares, private companies limited by guarantee, unlimited companies, and Community Interest Companies (CICs). Once Companies House accepts the application and issues the certificate of incorporation, the company legally exists and can trade, sign contracts, and hold assets in its own name. IN01 packages together the constitutional documents needed to bring a company into existence in one filing.

What information does Form IN01 capture?

The proposed company name (checked against restricted words and existing names); the registered office address (must be in England and Wales, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland — matching the jurisdiction chosen); the company's type (limited by shares, limited by guarantee, etc.); a statement of capital and initial shareholdings (for share companies), or a statement of guarantee (for guarantee companies); details of every proposed director (name, address, date of birth, nationality); details of any company secretary (optional for private companies); the initial subscribers (first shareholders or members); and information on persons with significant control (PSC) at the point of incorporation.

What supporting documents accompany IN01?

The company's articles of association — either the model articles (which apply by default if you don't file custom ones), amended model articles, or fully bespoke articles. A memorandum of association is also required but is now short and standardised — it simply confirms the founding subscribers' intention to form the company and (for share companies) take at least one share each. Every subscriber signs the memorandum.

How do you submit Form IN01 and how long does it take?

Most incorporations are filed electronically through Companies House WebFiling, third-party incorporation services, or company secretarial software — online filings are usually processed within 24 hours and cost less. Paper IN01 filings by post are still accepted but slower (up to 8-10 working days) and more expensive. Once accepted, Companies House emails or posts the certificate of incorporation containing the company's registered number and date of incorporation, and the company is legally born.