Can I Pick My Company's Date of Incorporation?

You can't choose a specific date of incorporation the way you'd book a table at a restaurant. But you can control when you submit your formation application, which gives you meaningful influence over when your company gets incorporated.

Here's how incorporation dates actually work, why they matter, and how to time your application if a specific date is important to you.

Key Takeaways

• Your incorporation date is set by Companies House on the day they process your application, not the day you submit it.
• You can influence the date by submitting early. Applications submitted before 2pm Monday to Friday are typically processed the same day, though this is not guaranteed.
• Once incorporated, the date is permanent. It cannot be changed and will appear on your Certificate of Incorporation and the public Companies House register.
• Applications submitted on weekends or bank holidays are processed on the next working day. Submit before 2pm on a working day for the best chance of that date being confirmed.
• The incorporation date affects your company's first accounting period. Some directors time their application to align their accounting year end with a convenient date.

How Do Company Incorporation Dates Work in the UK?

Your incorporation date is the date Companies House officially registers your company. It's the date your company legally comes into existence, and it appears permanently on your Certificate of Incorporation and the public Companies House register.

You don't get to choose this date directly. What you can control is when you submit your application. Companies House processes applications in order, and the date they approve yours becomes your incorporation date.

Can I Get My Company Incorporated on a Specific Date?

You have two options if a specific date matters: standard formation or same day incorporation.

With standard formation, timing your submission gives you influence over the date but not a guarantee. Submitting early in the working day improves your chances of that date being confirmed. Applications submitted late in the day, on weekends, or on bank holidays will be processed on the next working day.

If the date is genuinely important, same day incorporation is worth considering. It's a faster, prioritised service that gives you more certainty over when your company comes into existence.

Companies MadeSimple packages start from £104.99. Most standard applications are submitted to Companies House the same day, though actual processing time is subject to Companies House workload and is outside our control.

Why Does the Incorporation Date Matter?

For most people, the incorporation date is just an administrative detail. But there are a few situations where it genuinely matters.

Accounting and Tax Year Planning

Your company's first accounting period starts on its date of incorporation. Some directors prefer to incorporate at a specific point in the calendar to align their accounting year end with a date that's convenient for them or their accountant.

Business Milestones

Some founders want their company incorporated on a significant date, a birthday, a business anniversary, or a date that has personal meaning. There's nothing wrong with this, and timing your application accordingly is straightforward.

Contract or Agreement Dates

If you're signing a contract that requires your company to be in existence from a specific date, you'll need to make sure your incorporation happens before that date. Companies can only enter into contracts once they legally exist.

What Can You Not Do With an Incorporation Date?

Once your company is incorporated, the date is fixed. There is no mechanism to backdate incorporation or change the date after the fact. This is worth keeping in mind if you're relying on a specific date for legal or financial reasons.

If you've missed a date you were aiming for, the most practical option is to incorporate as soon as possible and adjust any plans accordingly.

How Do I Form My Company Through Companies MadeSimple?

If you have a date in mind and want to get things moving, the process through Companies MadeSimple is straightforward.

1. Check your chosen company name is available
2. Select a formation package starting from £104.99
3. Enter your company details including director, shareholder, and registered office information
4. Complete your ID checks and get your personal codes - the account holder, all directors, and all PSC's are required to do this
5. Submit when you are happy with the application

Once your application is submitted, all ID checks are done, and all personal codes are input, it goes straight to Companies House. Most are incorporated on the day of submission or the next working day, but this is subject to Companies House.

FAQs

Can I choose my exact date of incorporation?

Not directly. Companies House sets your incorporation date when they process your application. What you can control is when you submit. Submitting early on a working day gives you the best chance of that date being confirmed, but it's not guaranteed.

What happens if I submit my application late in the day?

Applications submitted late in the day, on weekends, or on bank holidays will be processed on the next working day. If a specific date matters, submit as early as possible on that working day.

Can I change my company's incorporation date after it's been formed?

No. Once Companies House sets your incorporation date, it's permanent. It appears on your Certificate of Incorporation and cannot be amended, so it's worth timing your application carefully if the date matters to you.

Does the incorporation date affect my company's tax year?

It can. Your company's first accounting period starts on its incorporation date. Some directors plan around this to align their accounting year end with a convenient date. Speaking to an accountant before you incorporate is worthwhile if this is a factor for you.

What if I need my company to exist from a specific date for a contract?

You'll need to incorporate before that date. Companies can only enter into contracts once they're legally registered, so don't leave it too close to the deadline.

Can I incorporate on a weekend or bank holiday?

No. Companies House does not process applications on weekends or bank holidays. Submit on a working day to get a working day as your incorporation date.

What ID information do I need before I can submit my application?

The account holder, all directors, and all PSCs must complete ID checks and provide their personal codes before the application can be submitted to Companies House.

This article is for general information only. Companies House processing times, formation package prices, and submission cutoffs can change. Always check current guidance and pricing on companiesmadesimple.com before placing an order.