WeFile Formation Agent: Let Us Handle Your UK Company Incorporation From Start to Finish

When we launched free company formation on WeFile, we designed it for users who already hold a Companies House Presenter Credit Account — the free government account that lets you submit electronic filings directly. For many accountants and experienced founders, that's the ideal setup: zero platform fees, full control, and direct submission.

But we heard from plenty of first-time founders, freelancers, and overseas entrepreneurs who don't have a Presenter Account — and don't want the hassle of applying for one just to incorporate a single company. That's exactly why we built Formation Agent mode.

In this article, we'll walk you through everything the Formation Agent service offers, how it works, what it costs, and why it might be the easiest way to get your UK limited company up and running.

When you start a new company formation on WeFile, you're presented with two options:

• Self-Filer — You use your own Companies House Presenter Credit Account. WeFile charges nothing. The only cost is the statutory incorporation fee (£100 standard or £156 same-day) charged directly to your credit account by Companies House.
• Formation Agent — WeFile submits the incorporation on your behalf using our own Companies House credit account. You pay the statutory fee plus a flat £15 agent fee. No Presenter Account needed.

Both options use the same guided wizard, the same electronic XML Gateway submission, and the same real-time tracking. The only difference is who holds the credit account and handles the submission credentials.

The Formation Agent service is designed for anyone who wants a completely hands-off incorporation experience. Here's why thousands of users choose it:

• No Presenter Account required — skip the application process entirely. You don't need to apply for, wait for, or manage a Companies House credit account.
• We handle the submission — after you complete the wizard and pay, our team reviews your application and submits it directly to Companies House on your behalf.
• Fast turnaround — standard incorporations are typically processed within 1–3 business days. Same-day incorporation is also available (Monday–Friday, submitted before 3:00 PM UK time).
• Full documentation delivered — your Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum of Association, and Company Authentication Code are all retrieved automatically and made available in your WeFile dashboard.
• Flat, transparent pricing — just £15 on top of the Companies House fee. No hidden charges, no recurring subscriptions, no upsells.

WeFile is also listed as an approved formation agent with Companies House, so you can be confident your application is being handled by a recognised and compliant service provider.

Formation Agent pricing is simple and fully transparent:

Standard Incorporation

• Companies House fee: £100
• WeFile agent fee: £15
• Total: £115

Same-Day Incorporation

• Companies House fee: £156
• WeFile agent fee: £15
• Total: £171

Same-day incorporation is available Monday to Friday and must be submitted before 3:00 PM UK time. If submitted outside this window, your application will be processed on the next available business day.

Payment is collected securely via Stripe at the final step of the formation wizard. You'll see a full breakdown of all fees before confirming your payment.

When you choose Formation Agent mode, you also unlock the option to use our Registered Address Service — a professional London business address that serves as your company's official registered office.

• Address: 5 Brayford Square, London, E1 0SG
• Cost: £40 per year
• What's included: Your company's registered office will be set to this address. All statutory correspondence from Companies House and HMRC will be received, scanned, and made available digitally in your WeFile dashboard.
• Privacy: Keep your home address off the public Companies House register.

This service is provided in partnership with Ghost Mail Limited (company number 11432238). The service covers statutory mail scanning and digital delivery. General business correspondence that arrives at the address will trigger a notification email, and you may request forwarding for a one-off fee of £15 plus postage.

The registered address subscription renews annually. You can manage renewals directly from your formation's Address Service tab in the WeFile dashboard.

In addition to the registered address, you can also opt for a Service Address for each director and person with significant control (PSC). A service address is the address that appears on the public register next to each officer's name — using our address means your directors' residential addresses stay private.

• Cost: £40 per year, per person
• Only available when using the Registered Address Service
• Benefit: Protects the personal residential addresses of your company's officers from appearing on the public Companies House register.

During the formation wizard, when you add directors and PSCs, you'll see the option to set their service address to the WeFile registered address instead of entering a personal one. This is especially valuable for sole directors who would otherwise have their home address publicly visible.

The entire process is designed to be as smooth as possible. Here's what happens step by step:

1. Create your WeFile account

Sign up for free — no membership or subscription required. Company formation (both self-filer and agent mode) is available to every registered user.

2. Start a new formation

Navigate to the Formations section in your dashboard and click "New Formation". You'll be asked to choose between Self-Filer and Formation Agent mode.

3. Complete the guided wizard

The wizard walks you through every required detail:

• Company details — company name, country of incorporation, registered email address, SIC codes
• Registered office address — enter your own or opt for our Registered Address Service
• Directors, shareholders, and PSCs — full personal details, service addresses, share allocations, and PSC nature of control declarations
• Share capital — define share classes, nominal values, and allocations
• Articles of Association — choose Model Articles or upload bespoke articles
• Incorporation speed — standard (1–3 days) or same-day

4. Review and pay

Before submission, you'll see a comprehensive review of all your details. The checkout page shows a clear breakdown of all fees. Payment is handled securely via Stripe.

5. We submit to Companies House

Once payment is confirmed, our team reviews your application and submits it to Companies House via the official XML Gateway. You'll receive a submission reference number.

6. Track progress in real time

WeFile automatically polls Companies House for status updates. You can track the progress of your application directly from your dashboard — no need to check separately.

7. Receive your documents

Once Companies House approves your incorporation, your official Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum of Association, and Company Authentication Code are automatically retrieved and made available for download.

WeFile currently supports the formation of Private Companies Limited by Shares — by far the most common company type in the UK, and the structure used by the vast majority of small businesses, startups, and freelancers.

All officers (directors, shareholders, secretaries, and PSCs) must be individual natural persons. Corporate officers are not supported at this time.

We plan to expand support to additional company types in the future, including Companies Limited by Guarantee.

Once your company is successfully incorporated, here are the key next steps:

• Register for Corporation Tax — you must register with HMRC within 3 months of starting business activities. When the time comes, WeFile can help you file your CT600 return.
• Open a business bank account — your Certificate of Incorporation, which is available in your WeFile dashboard, is the primary document you'll need.
• Register for VAT — if your turnover is expected to exceed the VAT threshold (currently £90,000), you must register. WeFile also supports VAT return filing via Making Tax Digital.
• File annual accounts — your first accounts must be filed with Companies House within 21 months of incorporation. WeFile's CT600 filing wizard makes this process simple, affordable, and fully online.

If you used our Registered Address Service, any statutory correspondence from HMRC or Companies House will be scanned and delivered digitally to your dashboard.

Here's a quick comparison to help you decide:

Choose Self-Filer if you already have a Companies House Presenter Credit Account and want to pay nothing beyond the statutory fee.

Choose Formation Agent if you don't have a credit account, want a completely hands-off experience, or need the optional address services to keep your personal details private.

Do I need a WeFile membership to use the Formation Agent service?

No. Company formation — both self-filer and agent mode — is available to all registered WeFile users, regardless of membership status.

Is WeFile an approved formation agent?

Yes. WeFile is listed on the UK Government's official list of formation and company secretarial agents maintained by Companies House.

Can I switch from self-filer to agent mode after starting?

Yes. The mode selection happens at the beginning of the formation process, and you can change it before submission.

What if my application is rejected?

If Companies House rejects the application, you'll be notified with the specific reason. You can correct the issue and we'll resubmit at no extra cost.

Can I cancel the Registered Address Service?

The service runs for 12 months from activation. You can choose not to renew at the end of the period. If you cancel, you'll need to update your registered office address with Companies House separately.

How do I receive scanned mail?

If you're subscribed to the Registered Address Service, all statutory correspondence is scanned and uploaded to your WeFile dashboard under the Address Service tab on your formation's detail page.

Do you support company formations outside England and Wales?

Yes. WeFile supports incorporation in England & Wales, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Ready to incorporate your UK company? Head to the Company Formation page to check your company name availability and start the wizard. Whether you choose to file yourself or use our Formation Agent service, the entire process takes just minutes to complete.

If you have any questions, our Help Center has detailed guides covering every step, or you can raise a support ticket and our team will be happy to assist.