Why Incorporate in Delaware? ☞ Why to Start a Business in Delaware? Benefits of Incorporating in Delaware. Consider Registering a Company in USA? Why Choose Delaware as Your Corporate Home?

This is our most popular package with UK residents, and includes:

The registration of your company from scratch using your own registered office address, and appoint your own candidates to the roles of director, secretary (if needed), and shareholder;

The standard capital on formation is £1,000, this is divided into 1,000 ordinary shares valued at £1.00 each (it is not required to have all of the shares issued, but a minimum of one share must be issued);

The formation of a limited company usually takes as little as four to six hours from the time that your application and payment are received by Coddan;

The government fee for incorporation is included in the price of this package;

The following documents, which need to be printed and signed, will be emailed to you upon formation of your company:

A certificate of incorporation (requires PDF file reader);

The memorandum & articles of association (requires MS-Word file reader);

The first meeting of the board of directors (requires MS-Word file reader);

Share certificates and a company register.

E-Quick Package

£ 32.00

No Annual Charges

A private company limited by shares in England and Wales must have at least one director, one shareholder, and may have a secretary.

You need at least one person to form this type of company. If there is only one director, and that director is a natural person in your company, that director can also act as the secretary.

A company must have at least one director who is a natural person. This requirement is met if the office of director is held by a natural person as a corporation sole or otherwise by virtue of an office.

You can register a sole director' company, if you are familiar with the secretaries duties and responsibilities, because all of them belongs to a sole director.

The directors and secretary of your company can also be shareholders.

The Companies Act imposes no restriction on the minimum age of company directors. However Companies House will actively discourage the appointment of anyone under the age of 16 from taking up a company directorship on the grounds that the individuals concerned may not fully understand the legal liabilities that go with the position and for the most part will not have the experience necessary to perform the duties of a company director.

Under the Companies Act 2006, there is no restriction on any or all of the members/shareholders being from an overseas country (i.e. outside the United Kingdom in terms of residency, domicile, citizenship, place of incorporation or all or any of those concepts).

There is no requirement for the officers of your company to be UK citizens or residents, nor for them to hold valid work permits.

Owning, or being an officer of a UK company does not, however, grant you any right to live or work in the UK if you are a foreign national.

Your company must have a registered office address within England or Wales; this is the official address of your company and will be on the public record as such.

Your company must hold its official company documents at its registered office address: its register of shareholders, and its constitutional documents.

So long as you maintain a registered office address in England or Wales, you can conduct your business from any place in the world: you do not have to run your business from your registered office address.

Business Start-Up: Legal Requirements

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If you want to become familiar with the description and the contents of online Delaware companies formation packages, offered by Coddan and to find above, what kind of service is included in this or that company incorporation package, to get an idea about the price of annual fees, and about the general legal requirements, please, select the package you need from the list, situated below the banner. The information in the banner will be renewed according to the package you've chosen. Register your business online in minutes at lawyer-free prices. Coddan was developed by expert attorneys with experience at the most prestigious law firms in the country. We've helped over 50,000 satisfied customers, and our know-how allows us to prepare legal documents quickly and efficiently. Our documents contain advanced provisions that are not found in simple "do-it-yourself" kits or manuals. Coddan lets you take care of common legal procedures without ever leaving your home or office. We're open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our research area contains plenty of helpful guidance. Simply answer an easy-to-understand questionnaire, and Coddan takes care of the rest - no need to download, no need to print. You will receive the completed legal documents printed on quality acid-free paper.

Live Help » Live Help is a real time "chat" feature which enables you to interact with a customer service representative without a phone call. Get answers to your questions while using our website. Clicking the "Live Help" button will start an on-line session with one of our representatives. Live Help is currently available during normal business hours. Outside of the above opening hours our business center will be closed. When you click on the button you will see an e-mail form that will allow you to send us a mail with your questions. Live Help is absolutely free! There are no hidden fees. We offer the service as a courtesy to our website visitors. Dear visitors, while having a chat session with a customer, we are frequently requested to give a piece of advice on tax planning or business structuring. We would like to inform you that it is against our principles to provide online advice pertaining to these issues. The points that may be covered during a session include service description, package or service price, navigation at our website, ways of making an order, methods of payment etc. Yet, if you wish us to provide you with advice on tax or business structuring, you should be aware that this service is chargeable.

WANT TO INCORPORATE IN DELAWARE? WHY DO SO MANY COMPANIES INCORPORATE IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE?

The reason is not just one but several. They include the Delaware General Corporation Law that is one of the most advanced and flexible corporation statutes in the nation. Secondly, Delaware courts and, in particular, the Court of Chancery, have over 200 years of legal precedent as a maker of corporation law. Thirdly, the state legislature seriously takes its role in keeping the corporation statute and other business laws current. Lastly, the office of the Secretary of State operates much like a business rather than a government bureaucracy with its modern imaging system and customer service oriented staff.

Known as the Diamond State, Delaware is the home to more than half of the Fortune 500 corporations, and many small business owners around the globe have also incorporated in Delaware for a number of reasons. Delaware is also know as the First State because it was the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States; Delaware's business laws, its Chancery Court with nationally recognized expertise and governmental services make Delaware a corporate haven.

DELAWARE'S BUSINESS ENTITY LAWS ARE AMONG THE MOST ADVANCED AND FLEXIBLE IN THE UNITED STATES

State of Delaware Advantages: Advantages of Delaware Corporation Law. There is no state corporate income tax in Delaware on goods or services provided by corporations (or limited liability companies) operating outside of Delaware. There is no sales tax in Delaware. Whether your corporation (or limited liability company) is physically located in Delaware or not, as a Delaware corporation, your purchases in Delaware are not subject to sales tax. There is no state corporate tax on interest or other investment income in Delaware, when earned by a Delaware holding company.

Delaware has no personal property tax. There are no State real property taxes, and the local real property taxes are very low. Delaware has no value-added taxes (VAT). Delaware has no taxes on business transactions (TBTs), which are essentially VATs that exempt retailers. Delaware has no use tax, inventory or unitary tax. There is no State of Delaware inheritance tax on stock of Delaware corporations operating outside of Delaware held by non-residents of Delaware. There is no Delaware capital shares or stock transfer taxes.

Broad corporate powers permit conduct of several legal businesses by one corporation. One person can be the only officer, director, and shareholder. Officers and directors can be indemnified, limiting their personal liability. Corporate books and records may be kept anywhere in the world. No minimum amount of capital is required. Non-resident shareholders pay no Delaware tax on shares. Shareholders are protected by takeover statue, which limits abusive hostile takeover tactics. Directors need not be shareholders. Service from the State of Delaware is fast and efficient. Incorporation costs are low. Most Delaware corporations can be formed within minutes and documents are available within 24 to 48 hours.

Delaware corporation law has well-established legal precedent. Delaware courts are respected nationwide for their expertise in corporate matters. Voting provisions requiring greater-than-majority approval may be enacted. Liberal choice of corporate name provisions and ease of reserving corporate name. Corporation may pay dividends from profits and surplus. Shareholders, directors and/or committee members may act by unanimous written consent in place of formal meetings. Directors may be given the power to make and alter Bylaws. The director(s) of a Delaware corporation are permitted to set the sales price on any stock the corporation issues and plans to sell. The director(s) of a Delaware corporation may determine what percentage of the consideration received from the issue of their stock is to be considered capital. This is important because it gives the directors greater flexibility regarding the use of funds obtained in a public offering, so that large amounts are not tied up in the capital account.

Corporation may own - without limitations as to amount or value - stocks, bonds or securities of other corporations located in Delaware or outside of Delaware as well as real estate personal property. This means that your corporation can be set up as, or later become, a holding company. Different kinds of business may be carried on in combination. Corporation may fix quorum of board of directors - not less than one-third of the whole board; two if only two shareholders; one if only one shareholder. Voting trusts and voting agreements may be created. Delaware law includes close corporation provisions. Personal financial liability of owners no greater than the shareholders' or members' investment; owners are insured from personal liability for negligent acts of the entities and its debts. Separate legal identity - a corporation or LLC has a distinct identification completely apart from its owners, directors and officers.

Ease of transferability of ownership - shares of stock in a corporation or interest in an LLC may be sold or distributed without impairing organization or operation. Uninterrupted legal existence - both corporations and LLC's have a perpetual life even upon death of primary owners or officers. Subchapter "S" election or LLC partnership treatment - permits tax savings by flowing through deductions and losses to personal tax returns. Bank accounts not required being in Delaware. Capital requirements have no minimum. By-laws may be made and altered by directors or by agreement of members. No par value required for stock.

ASSET PROTECTION

One of the best reasons for incorporating, or forming a limited liability company, is to separate your personal assets from your company's assets. If you conduct business without using a corporation, or limited liability company, you place your assets at risk. Separating your personal property from your business property, and using a legal form such as a corporation, can help protect your personal property. Incorporation or formation of a limited liability company also allows you to take advantage of the statutory and judicial laws of Delaware, to help you plan how your business runs.

An example: Delaware Law allows for a version of the limited liability company often called a Serial LLC. An LLC is normally very simple to create. The major difference between an LLC and a sole proprietorship or a partnership is the limitation of liability an LLC brings to you. But say that you wanted to conduct more than one type of business, and you didn't want to create a separate corporation or limited liability company for each. The "Serial" LLC allows different lines of business to be treated separately from each other from a liability standpoint. So, for example, an LLC that owns several apartment buildings may insulate the LLC from liability for each individual building, if the operating agreement allows for it, and the operating agreement is followed. For more information take a look at the Limited Liability Company Act of the Delaware Code (especially, Title 6, Section 18-215; Series of members, managers or limited liability company interests).

A Delaware Corporation which is properly formed and operated as a corporation assumes a separate legal and tax life distinct from its shareholders. A corporation pays taxes at its own corporate income tax rates and files its own corporate tax forms each year (IRS Form 1120). As a separate entity, it can buy real estate, enter into contracts, sue and be sued completely separate from its owners. Also, money can be raised easier via the sale of stock; its ownership can be transferred via the transfer of stock; the duration of the corporation is perpetual (the business can continue regardless of ownership); and the tax advantages can be considerable (i.e. you are able to deduct many business expenses, healthcare programs, etc.). Income is reported completely separate via a tax return for the corporation. Normally, a corporation's management and control is vested in the board of directors who are elected by the shareholders of the corporation. Directors generally make policy and major decisions regarding the corporation but do not individually represent the corporation in dealing with third persons. Rather, dealings with third persons are conducted through officers and employees of the corporation to whom authority is delegated by the directors of the corporation.

To retain the corporate existence and thus the benefits of limited liability and special tax treatment, those who run the corporation must observe corporate formalities. Thus, even a one-person corporation must wear different hats depending on the occasion. For example, one person may be responsible for being the sole shareholder, director, and officer of the corporation; however, depending on the action taken, that person must observe certain formalities: Annual meetings must be held, corporate minutes of the meetings must be taken, officers must be appointed, and shares must be issued to shareholders. Most importantly, however, the corporation should issue stock to its shareholders and keep adequate capitalization on hand to cover any "foreseeable" business debts.

The corporation is the most enduring form of business entity. Originally created hundreds of years ago as a way to protect the shareholders in risky overseas ventures, corporations today are now formed by filing the necessary documents and fees with the Secretary of State. This creates a separate legal entity that is separate from the shareholders. It's akin to creating a new "person" with its own name and social security number (called the EIN or Tax ID Number: we can prepare this for you). The rules for operating your corporation are set in what are called corporate Bylaws. This document sets the rules for operating the company and can be modified as the business grows and changes.

Operating a corporation involves at the minimum holding a yearly directors and shareholders meeting (the location is determined by you and the expenses are deductible), keeping written minutes of major company decisions and maintaining general corporate compliance as dictated by the corporate Bylaws.

LIFE AFTER INCORPORATING

Many business owners delay incorporating or registering a Limited Liability Company (LLC) because they are apprehensive about the documentation required to keep their company in compliance. Incorporating or forming an LLC helps protect personal assets and provides tax-deductible benefits for employees and owners. It's unwise to forgo these benefits simply due to a healthy fear of paperwork. While state-by-state requirements vary, here are three important tips to help you keep your company in compliance and protect your personal assets in the event of legal action against your company: avoid co-mingling your personal funds and identity with that of your company. Document your corporate/LLC activities. Be on time when paying your state franchise taxes and submitting your company's annual report. Keeping your personal identity separate from your company includes signing business documents not only with your name but also with your business title and the name of your company.

Other tips: avoid using personal checks or funds for business expenses and visa versa; avoid using personal stationary for business communications and company letterhead for personal matters. Equally important is documentation of company activities. This includes keeping company records such as articles of incorporation, annual meeting minutes, sales of company shares, bylaws and business contracts in an organized format like a corporate binder or kit. As changes occur in your company structure, it is important to also keep amendments in your company files.

Finally, to protect your corporate status, you must remember to pay your annual state franchise taxes and file your annual report with the state. Failure to do so will result in the state voiding your company and treating it as an inactive entity. Fear not, resources are available to help your company stay in compliance. Apply for your Federal Tax ID and take care of any special IRS elections such as S Corporation status. Write your company bylaws and any operating agreements you may need. Open your company bank account. If a corporation, then hold your first corporate annual meeting with written meeting minutes. If you formed a corporation, file an annual report with your state. Select an accountant/tax preparer and an attorney for your company. Coddan can assist you in forming or qualifying your company in any state you choose and can assist you in keeping track of your state qualifications. In addition to filing corporations and limited liability companies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Coddan offers a wide range of products and services to help businesses preserve and protect their corporate status. We provide resident agent services, and mail forwarding services, corporate kits, Certificates of Good Standing, Apostille legalisation and qualifications to do business in any state. Our commitment to the success of small businesses does not end there.

INCORPORATE IN DELAWARE ONLINE! REGISTERING DELAWARE CORPORATIONS, FORMING LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES. WHY INCORPORATE IN DELAWARE? WHY CHOOSE DELAWARE AS YOUR CORPORATE HOME? SUMMARY OF OUR SERVICES.

WANT TO INCORPORATE IN DELAWARE? WHY DO SO MANY COMPANIES INCORPORATE IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE?

DELAWARE'S BUSINESS ENTITY LAWS ARE AMONG THE MOST ADVANCED AND FLEXIBLE IN THE UNITED STATES

ASSET PROTECTION

LIFE AFTER INCORPORATING