1st Formations review
Updated October 17, 2026 · ForgeCue Editorial Team
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Our verdict
1st Formations contrasts with the usual option that leaves filings and checks to the reader, because it manages registration and identity steps in one order. It is a formation agent for new UK limited company owners who want bank choice, document handling and annual filing support together.
Key facts
- Best for
- New UK limited companies needing guided registration
- Package price from
- £39.99 (Source, checked October 17, 2026)
- State fee included
- Yes (Source, checked October 17, 2026)
- Official website
- 1stformations.co.uk
Pros and cons
Pros
- Handles identity checks and personal codes as an authorised provider
- Central login for reminders, filings, documents and company updates
- Choice of ten business bank referrals for UK and overseas founders
- Domain claim plus confirmation statement preparation by specialists
Cons
- Focused on UK company structures rather than broader international coverage
- Bank introductions depend on approval, so opening is not assured
- Domain claim works only through a confirmation message link
Who it suits
- First time UK founders wanting guided setup
- Teams with several directors and shareholders
Who should look elsewhere
- Founders needing operations outside UK company rules
What it does well
The service centers on limited company registration with document delivery and a central manager for reminders, updates and downloads. Identity verification is handled inside the order, which lets new companies move to trading soon after approval. Founders can select from ten business bank referrals, with separate paths for UK residents and overseas applicants subject to bank decision. Added support includes confirmation statement preparation, company address options, director appointment handling and a domain claim for the first year tied to the order confirmation message.
Who the company serves
The service is aimed at people starting a UK limited company, including founders who live outside the country. Several shareholders and directors can be part of one company, and identity checks and personal codes are handled as part of the same process. Business bank accounts can be chosen from a broad selection tailored to UK customers and people who live outside the UK. Document handling and annual filing support sit alongside the registration itself, so the paperwork stays in one place rather than spread across separate providers.
How 1st Formations compares
8.5 vs 8.8
8.5 vs 8.5
8.5 vs 9.2- 8.5 vs 8.8
8.5 vs 8.5
8.5 vs 9.1- 8.5 vs 8.8
- 8.5 vs 9.2
8.5 vs 9.4
8.5 vs 8.8
8.5 vs 9.0- 8.5 vs 8.6
8.5 vs 9.1
8.5 vs 9.2- 8.5 vs 9.2
8.5 vs 9.3- 8.5 vs 8.9
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8.5 vs 9.3- 8.5 vs 9.0
- 8.5 vs 8.9
8.5 vs 8.6
8.5 vs 8.5
8.5 vs 8.5
8.5 vs 8.5
Frequently asked questions
What does 1st Formations do?+
1st Formations registers limited companies and limited liability partnerships in the UK and supports early administration. Its packages cover preparation, submission, company documents and ongoing compliance tools. Founders also manage details through a central login with reminders and document access.
How long does registration take?+
Orders are prepared and submitted for review, with approval often completed within a day. Once approval is confirmed, the new company can begin trading at once. Document delivery and online access follow after registration is complete.
How is identity verification handled?+
1st Formations acts as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider for identity checks. It collects details during ordering and secures the required personal code where the founder does not hold one. This keeps verification and incorporation within a single process.
How do business bank referrals work?+
Founders choose a preferred business account option during ordering from a set of ten. UK applicants select from domestic referrals while overseas applicants follow a separate non resident path. The chosen bank contacts the founder after formation and makes its own approval decision.
Can overseas founders set up a UK company through this provider?+
Overseas founders can set up a UK limited company, and the bank selection includes accounts tailored to people who live outside the UK. Identity checks and personal codes are handled as part of the process, so people living abroad do not need to manage those steps alone. The service presents these steps as one ordered route from registration to trading.
Sources
- 1stformations.co.uk checked October 17, 2026
Backs: Package price from, State fee included
“Set up a limited company for only £39.99 with accounting.”
Compiled from 1 source page, checked October 17, 2026. We did not open an account.
Not confirmed yet: Registered agent.