FAQ

Company Formations

  1. New companies
  2. Public limited companies
  3. Single member companies
  4. Re-registration
  5. Publication of company name and details to be shown on company stationery
  6. The new company - looking forward
  7. Further information

Company Names

  1. Introduction
  2. Choosing a company name
  3. Change of company name and change of status
  4. Sensitive words and expressions
  5. Exemptions using the word ‘limited’
  6. Directions to change a company name
  7. Controls and restrictions
  8. Disclosure of company name and other information
  9. Further information
  10. Appendix

This is a guide only and should be read with the relevant legislation.

  • Companies Act 1985
  • Companies Act 2006
  • The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 6, Saving and Commencement No. 3 and No. 5 (Amendment)) Order 2008 – SI 2008/674
  • The Companies (Trading Disclosures) Regulations - 2008 SI 2008/495

Exemption from using the word 'limited' in a company name

1. Which companies use 'limited' in their name?

Private Limited companies must normally include the word 'limited' or its abbreviation 'ltd' or the Welsh equivalents 'cyfyngedig' or 'cyf' as part of their company name. However, under Section 30 of the Companies Act 1985, some company names do not need to include the word 'limited' if they satisfy the conditions explained in question 2 below.

Please note, a company cannot use the word 'cyfyngedig' or 'cyf' unless its registered office is situated in Wales.

2. What kind of company can be exempt from using 'limited' in its name?

To be exempt, a company must:

  • be a private company limited by guarantee;
  • the objects of the company must be the promotion of commerce, art, science, education, religion, charity or any profession;
  • the memorandum or articles of association must say that any profits, or other income, are to be spent in promoting the company's objects; and
  • the company must not pay dividends to members.

If the company is wound up, it must transfer all the assets to another body which has similar objects, or which promotes a charity. If it satisfies these conditions, a company which takes advantage of such an exemption will also be exempt from the requirements of the Companies Act 1985 to publish its name and to send lists of members to the Registrar.

A company which was a private company limited by shares on 25 February 1982 may also be exempt if it did not include 'limited' in its name because it had a licence under section 19 of the Companies Act 1948 and complies with the requirements set out above.

3. If my company qualifies, how do I claim the exemption?

When your company is being formed, you must make a statutory declaration on Form 30(5)(a) and send it to the Registrar with your incorporation documents. More information is available in our 'Company Formation' guidance at www.companieshouse.gov.uk

4. What if a company that already exists wants to claim the exemption?

Form 30(5)(a) and Form 30(5)(c) are available free of charge from Companies House, Cardiff and Edinburgh.

If we grant you permission to omit 'limited', you must not amend the memorandum and articles in such a way that they no longer satisfy the conditions for exemption.

5. How much will it cost?

Apart from the standard incorporation or change of name fee, there is no additional fee for applying to omit the word limited from a company name. The certificate issued will show the new name without the word limited or its permitted or Welsh equivalent.