I am delighted to announce that the new online incorporation process for registering new community interest companies (CICs) went live on Monday 11th March 2019. With the number of CIC’s on the public register at over 15,000, and increasing by well over 2,500 each year, this new digital registration option will:
- significantly reduce incorporation times,
- offer online convenience; and
- 24-hour availability to the CIC sector
When I became Regulator, one of my goals was to improve service delivery. The new process will make completing the application process easier and help to reduce filing errors and rejections. As well as including CIC and Company House registration this three-way digital service includes HMRC, enabling CICs to register for corporation tax as they incorporate their business.
The new system will let applicants know that their application has been received and confirm incorporation as soon as it is completed, usually within two working days. It will also allow Companies House to process and place community interest companies on the public record far more efficiently than paper documents. The online process will provide benefits such as security, speed and environmental savings.
Digital incorporation will:
- Reduce incorporation costs for prospective CICs to £27
- Allow payment by card or PayPal; and
- Confirm incorporation - within 2 working days, in the majority of cases.
I look forward to seeing online applications becoming the preferred option for all CICs. I welcome your views and feedback on the new system. In time, we will be offering a much wider range of online filing services for CICs.
For further information on the new online process, take a look at our step by step guides.
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12 comments
Comment by Saverio posted on
Hi,
This new registration service is an excellent addition. Can you please indicate when the following service will be available: -
"It will also allow Companies House to process and place community interest companies on the public record".
Thanks
Comment by Chi Yau posted on
Dear Saverio
Thank you for your comment.
The process to incorporate a CIC online went live on Monday 11 March.
Regards
Chi Yau
Office Of The Regulator of Community Interest Companies
Comment by Saverio posted on
Dear Chi Yau,
Thank you for your prompt reply.
I understand the process to Register a CIC online went live on 11 March 2019. However, I could not find a link where I could search for existing registered CIC's, in the same way I can find information about Companies already registered on GOV.UK. Sorry if I did not make myself clear initially.
Thanks
Saverio
Comment by Marilyn J Liddon posted on
Dear Saverio
The search method is the same as an ordinary company - via the BETA service https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/ Please note there is not a separate list for CICs only, they are included in the public record with all other registered companies. The CIC Regulator does publish a list of CICs registered in the previous month on her website. This list is replaced and not updated. This can be found from the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/community-interest-companies-new-cics-registered-in-october-2013
Regards
Marilyn Liddon
Comment by Tim Tarby-Donald posted on
Hello - I am watching the webinar and there was mention of only 5 officers being allowed with the system but earlier today I set up most of our CIC application with 8. Has something been upgraded since the webinar? Thanks
Comment by Marilyn J Liddon posted on
Hi Tim - following on from my previous response. Your query regarding the uploading of a Memorandum of association during the online process. You do not need to upload a memorandum as the information you provide throughout the online process creates a digital version of the memorandum.
Regards
Marilyn
Comment by Tim Tarby-Donald posted on
The other question I have is at what point do you upload the Memorandum of Association? Thanks
Comment by Marilyn J Liddon posted on
Dear Tim - Not to our knowledge. However, as the online process is new the Companies House team are still 'tweaking' (for want of a better word) the process and continually looking to improve the service. This may mean that they have allowed for extra information. In the meantime we would advise that once the application is on public record, you check the company details and specifically the People tab, to see how many directors are registered. If there are only 5 we would advise that you complete AP1 forms online to add the extra 3. We will however take up your query with the projects team.
Regards
Marilyn Liddon
Comment by Marilyn J Liddon posted on
Hi Tim
I can now confirm that the an upgrade to a maximum of 20 directors went in shortly after the webinar.
Regards
Marilyn Liddon
Comment by Tim Tarby-Donald posted on
Thank you for both replies
Comment by Valerii posted on
Dear sir
Is it possible to convert a LLP in the CIC.
Whether such procedure is provided online.
Regards
Valerii
Comment by Marilyn J Liddon posted on
Dear Valeri
No I'm afraid you cannot convert an LLP to a CIC you would need to set up a new incorporation. This can be done online from the following link: https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/register-your-company/setting-up-new-limited-company
Regards
Marilyn Liddon