Home/Registering a company/Choosing an agent
How to choose a company formation agent
Nine questions to ask any agent, including us, and what the answers tell you.
Judge a formation agent on what renews rather than the headline formation price, on whether it is registered as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider, on how many companies share each address, and on whether it verifies identity before activating an address or after taking payment.
Ask what renews, and at what price
The formation fee is once. Address services, filings and call answering are every year. An agent that will not show you the renewal price before you buy is telling you something.
Ask whether they are an ACSP
Authorised Corporate Service Provider registration is granted by Companies House and can be checked. It is required to verify identities, and from late 2026 it is expected to be required to file on someone else's behalf at all.
Ask how many companies use each address
An address shared with thousands of companies attracts scrutiny that lands on you — from banks, from HMRC, and from anyone doing due diligence on your business.
Ask when they check identity
Before an address is activated, or after payment clears? The answer tells you whether the compliance is real or decorative.
Ask what happens to post when the service ends
Returned to sender, forwarded for a grace period, or quietly binned? You will find out at the worst possible moment otherwise.
Ask about bank referral commission
Most agents earn it. That is fine, provided they tell you before you apply, because a commission is a reason to point you somewhere.
Ask what they will not promise
An agent that guarantees a bank account, a turnaround time, or that a name will be accepted is promising something outside its control.
Check the claims
Review counts, "companies formed" figures and awards should be verifiable. If a number appears on a website with no source, treat it as decoration.
Ask whether you need them at all
A good agent will sometimes tell you to go direct to Companies House. If that answer is never available, you are being sold to rather than advised.
Where to go next
Check a name first
Statutory rules, then the Companies House register. Free, and no email required.
Check a company name What it costs