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https://communityinterestcompanies.blog.gov.uk/2019/03/13/cic-incorporations-the-new-online-process/

CIC Incorporations: The New Online Process

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Community Interest Company Office

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

  1. 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

    • Replies to Saverio>

      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

      • Replies to Chi Yau>

        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

  2. 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

    • Replies to Tim Tarby-Donald>

      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

  3. Comment by Tim Tarby-Donald posted on

    The other question I have is at what point do you upload the Memorandum of Association? Thanks

    • Replies to Tim Tarby-Donald>

      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

      • Replies to Marilyn J 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

        • Replies to Marilyn J Liddon>

          Comment by Tim Tarby-Donald posted on

          Thank you for both replies

  4. 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