{"id":10778,"date":"2023-11-03T09:00:45","date_gmt":"2023-11-03T09:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/?p=10778"},"modified":"2024-04-13T09:38:52","modified_gmt":"2024-04-13T08:38:52","slug":"company-formation-application-rejected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/company-formation-application-rejected\/","title":{"rendered":"Why would my company formation application be rejected?"},"content":{"rendered":"
There are several common reasons why company formation applications are rejected. The majority of these are simple mistakes and oversights, so they are easy to avoid with a little care and attention to detail. We outline these below and explain what happens if your application is unsuccessful the first time.<\/p>\n
Companies House rejects less than 10% of online incorporation applications, compared to more than 50% of postal applications. The reason for this disparity is that the online forms have a number of built-in checks, which are designed to ensure that all mandatory fields are completed before submission. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, despite these checks, applicants sometimes enter the wrong information in certain sections of the online form. So, whether you are completing your application online or on paper, take care to avoid these 15 common issues that will result in a rejected company formation:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Problems related to company names are responsible for many unsuccessful incorporations. Typical issues include:<\/p>\n GOV.UK provides full guidance on company name rules and restrictions<\/a>. We would recommend reading this carefully before applying to register a company.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The name-check tool on our homepage will tell you if your company name is available and whether it contains any sensitive words. As a client of Quality Company Formations, we will also advise which authority you need to contact to obtain the necessary supporting documentation, where applicable.<\/p>\n If there is a disparity between the situation of the company\u2019s registered office address and the jurisdiction of incorporation, Companies House will reject the application.<\/p>\n The registered office<\/a> must be in the UK jurisdiction where the company is being incorporated. For example, if you wish to incorporate a company in Scotland, you must provide a registered office address in Scotland.<\/p>\n A company\u2019s registered office must be situated at an “appropriate address<\/a>” at all times. Consequently, you cannot use a PO Box as a registered office. This is a new requirement effective from 4 March 2024.<\/p>\n There aren\u2019t many rules on who you can and cannot appoint as a company director. However, your company formation application will be rejected if you try to appoint someone who is under the age of 16, an undischarged bankrupt, or disqualified from acting as a company director.<\/p>\n At all times, companies must have at least one director who is a natural person. This means that you cannot appoint another company as the sole director.<\/p>\n If you wish to appoint a company or other type of corporate body as a director, you must also appoint at least one natural person as a director.<\/p>\n When you enter the personal details of the directors, company secretary, shareholders, and people with significant control (PSCs) of the company, you must provide their full forename(s) and surname.\u00a0If you simply enter an initial instead of the forename (e.g. J. Smith or John A. Smith), Companies House will reject your application.<\/p>\n Directors, company secretaries, and PSCs must each provide their usual residential address on the application form. If Companies House believes that a commercial address has been provided as a home address, the company formation will likely be rejected.<\/p>\n There is no need to worry about your residential address being placed on public record. This will only happen if you use it as your service address<\/a> or the company\u2019s registered office.<\/p>\n In addition to providing their usual residential address, every director and PSC must state their country of residence. If these two pieces of information do not correspond (e.g. you supply a UK home address but your country of residence is overseas), Companies House will not approve the application.<\/p>\n In limited circumstances, directors can claim exemption under section 243 of the Companies Act 2006 from disclosing their home address. PSCs can claim exemption under section 790ZF from disclosing all personal details.<\/p>\n As a director or PSC, you can only apply to protect your details<\/a> if you (or someone who lives with you) is at serious risk of violence or intimidation as a result of the company\u2019s activities or by being associated with the company.<\/p>\n If you wrongly claim exemption, or fail to provide the required supporting evidence, Companies House is likely to reject the application to incorporate the company.<\/p>\n1. Problems with the company name\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
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2. Location of registered office<\/h4>\n
3. Using a PO Box as a registered office address<\/h4>\n
4. Unsuitable company director<\/h4>\n
5. Appointing a company as the only director<\/h4>\n
6. Not providing the full forename(s) of a director, secretary, shareholder, or PSC<\/h4>\n
7. Providing a non-residential address as a home address<\/h4>\n
8. Residential address does not correspond with country of residence<\/h4>\n
9. Wrongly claiming exemption to suppress personal details<\/h4>\n
10. Missing PSC information<\/h4>\n