Company Limited by Guarantee Formation & Registration in the UK

Limited by Guarantee Company Formation Package — £119.99 All-In

This specialised package provides everything required to incorporate a non-profit organisation, charity, or community group as a company limited by guarantee. It is designed for founders who need to protect their personal assets while pursuing social objectives or professional association goals. By choosing Form My Company, you gain the security of working with an authorised agent that understands the specific legal nuances of guarantee-based structures.

What is a Limited by Guarantee Package?

A company limited by guarantee is a distinct legal entity usually chosen by non-profit organisations, clubs, and charities. Unlike a standard private limited company, it does not have shares or shareholders; instead, it has guarantors who agree to contribute a nominal amount, usually £1, if the company faces insolvency. This structure is governed by the Companies Act 2006 and ensures that the individuals running the organisation are not personally liable for its debts.

When you select this service, Form My Company handles the complex administrative burden of drafting the appropriate constitutional documents. You receive a fully incorporated legal entity that is ready to apply for charitable status or begin its mission. This provides a professional foundation that is recognised by banks, local authorities, and the Charity Commission.

What the Limited by Guarantee Package Includes

Model Articles of Association

Articles of Association serve as the internal rulebook for your company, defining how directors make decisions and what powers the members hold. Under the Companies Act 2006, every company must have these “constitutional documents” to dictate the relationship between the entity and its officers. Our model articles are specifically tailored for guarantee structures, ensuring your governance framework is legally sound from the first day.

You receive a digital and physical set of these rules, formatted to meet strict Companies House standards. Having these pre-checked documents means you avoid the risk of your application being rejected due to vague wording or non-compliant clauses. They provide the immediate legal structure needed to hold your first board meeting or appoint new members.

Companies House Filing Fee Inclusive

The filing fee is the mandatory administrative charge levied by the UK government to process an incorporation application. Currently, this fee is paid directly to Companies House when the digital application is submitted. Failure to pay this correctly or promptly will result in an immediate rejection of your formation request.

Form My Company pays this £100 fee on your behalf as part of the package price. This removes the hassle of managing separate payments and ensures your application enters the queue immediately. You get the peace of mind that there are no hidden “processing” charges waiting for you at the checkout.

Fastest Incorporation Service

The speed of company formation depends on the current workload at Companies House and the accuracy of the submitted data. Most standard applications are processed within a few hours during the working week. A fast-tracked submission is essential for organisations that need to sign contracts or open bank accounts urgently to secure funding.

Your company is typically incorporated within 2 to 6 hours when you use our digital submission portal. This rapid turnaround allows you to move from an idea to a fully registered legal entity in less than a single working day. It eliminates the long waiting periods often associated with paper-based filings or less efficient agents.

Limited Name Exemption Application

Under Section 60 of the Companies Act 2006, certain non-profit companies can apply to omit the word “Limited” or “Ltd” from their official name. This is a common requirement for charities or professional bodies that want a more prestigious or descriptive title. The application requires specific “objects” (aims) to be clearly defined in your Articles of Association.

We managed the successful application for this name exemption, ensuring your Articles meet the specific legal criteria for “limited” removal. This gives your organisation a professional, established appearance that fits the non-profit sector. It solves the problem of having a corporate-sounding name when your focus is purely social or charitable.

Sensitive Word Approval (Benevolent, Trust, Foundation)

Certain words are “sensitive” under UK law because they imply a specific status, such as “Trust,” “Foundation,” or “Association.” To use these, you must justify your choice to the Secretary of State or provide evidence of your organisation’s purpose. Without the correct supporting evidence or correctly drafted Articles, Companies House will block the use of these titles.

Form My Company assists in navigating these regulations to include words like Society or Federation in your name. We review your chosen Articles to ensure they support your right to use these protected terms. This allows you to launch with a name that accurately reflects your mission and carries weight with the public.

Bespoke Articles Upload

A bespoke set of Articles allows an organisation to include specific rules that go beyond the standard model versions provided by the government. This is particularly important for groups with complex voting rights or those that must adhere to specific requirements from the Charity Commission. Having your own personalised rules ensures the company operates exactly how the founders intended.

This feature allows you to upload your own custom-drafted documents or edit our legally checked versions to include specific objects. You gain a company that is perfectly aligned with your unique operational needs rather than a “one size fits all” solution. If you require further assistance with ongoing filings or constitutional changes, our Company Secretarial service can provide expert support.

Certificate of Incorporation

The Certificate of Incorporation is the “birth certificate” of your company, proving that it exists as a legal person in the eyes of the law. It displays your unique Company Registration Number (CRN) and the date of formation. It is the primary document requested by HMRC, banks, and solicitors whenever you conduct official business.

You receive an official digital copy via email as soon as the company is approved, followed by a physical version printed on high-quality paper. This ensures you have a professional document to display at your registered office or to send to potential donors. For those operating internationally, we can also provide Apostilled Documents to ensure your certification is recognised outside the UK.

Guarantor Certificates

Since a company limited by guarantee does not have shares, it issues guarantor certificates to its members. These certificates confirm the maximum amount the member has pledged to contribute if the company is wound up. It is a vital record for internal governance and helps manage the membership register required by law.

We deliver these certificates to you both digitally and by mail on premium stationery. They give your members a tangible sense of belonging and a clear understanding of their legal obligations. If you find your membership grows and you need to update your officers, you can easily manage a Director Appointment through our platform.

Memorandum and Articles of Association

The Memorandum is a short legal statement signed by all initial members confirming their intention to form the company. Combined with the Articles, these documents form the constitution of the organisation. They are required by law to be kept at the registered office and made available for public inspection if requested.

Form My Company provides these documents in both digital and physical formats, ready for your records. This ensures you are fully compliant with the Companies Act 2006 record-keeping requirements from the moment you start. To keep all your essential paperwork in one secure place, many clients choose to upgrade to a comprehensive Company Pack.

Free Business Account with Cashback

A business bank account is a legal necessity for keeping the company’s finances separate from the personal funds of the directors. UK banks perform strict “Know Your Customer” (KYC) checks on all new entities. Accessing a dedicated business account quickly is often the biggest hurdle for new non-profits.

You get an introduction to a leading UK bank for a business account that includes cashback rewards, subject to their standard approval. This simplifies the application process and helps you get your financial infrastructure in place without delay. It solves the immediate problem of how to receive donations or pay for initial expenses.

Free Merchant Account

A merchant account allows your organisation to accept payments via credit and debit cards, either online or in person. This is vital for modern non-profits that need to collect membership fees or donations digitally. Without a merchant provider, you are limited to bank transfers or cash, which can stifle growth.

Our package includes a free merchant account setup with cashback incentives, helping you professionalise your revenue streams. You can start accepting card payments almost immediately after your bank account is active. This gives your supporters a convenient way to contribute, increasing your overall funding potential.

Free Online Company Manager

UK companies have ongoing filing obligations, such as the annual Confirmation Statement and changes to officer details. Missing these deadlines can lead to fines or the company being struck off the register. An online management tool helps track these dates and store your company’s statutory information in one place.

You receive free access to our digital management portal, where you can view your documents and set up automated alerts for future filings. This acts as a digital filing cabinet for your organisation, keeping you organised and compliant. If you need professional help to File a Confirmation Statement correctly, our team is available to assist.

Free Lifetime Support

Running a company involves ongoing interaction with Companies House and HMRC, and questions often arise long after the initial formation. Whether it is adding a new director or changing a registered office address, having expert guidance is invaluable. Professional advice can prevent costly administrative errors.

Form My Company provides free support for the life of your company, meaning we are always here to help with your corporate secretarial needs. You can reach out to our team whenever you are unsure about a filing requirement or a legal notification. This ongoing relationship ensures you never have to navigate the UK’s corporate landscape alone.

Free Pre-Submission Review

Simple errors, such as typos in a director’s name or a postcode, are the leading cause of application rejections at Companies House. A manual check by a human expert can catch these mistakes before the data is transmitted. This saves time and prevents the frustration of a failed registration.

Our team reviews every detail of your order before it is dispatched to the government registrar. This “second pair of eyes” ensures that your application is perfect, increasing the likelihood of approval on the first attempt. For non-profits with complex leadership, our Identity Verification Service adds an extra layer of compliance and security to the process.

Google AdWords Voucher

Marketing is essential for non-profits to reach new members, donors, or clients. Google AdWords is a powerful tool for placing your organisation at the top of search results for specific keywords. However, the initial cost of digital advertising can be a barrier for small groups.

When you spend £25 on your first campaign, you receive a free £75 voucher to further your reach. This gives you £100 worth of advertising for a very small initial investment. It allows you to test different marketing strategies and find the best way to connect with your target audience online.

Internet Presence Starter Kit

A professional web presence starts with a credible domain name, such as a .co.uk or .com. It is the foundation of your digital identity and is usually the first thing people look for when verifying your organisation. Owning your domain name prevents others from trading under your identity.

We pay for your chosen .co.uk or .com domain name for the first year to get your organisation online. This kit helps you establish a professional email address and website right away. If you wish to keep your home address private while building this presence, consider using a professional Business Address for your official correspondence.