Last updated: 16 October 2026
What must a limited company show?
The Companies Act requires every UK limited company to show certain details on its business letters, order forms, invoices, emails and website. Getting this right from the start avoids fines and makes you look professional.
Required details for companies
| Where | What must appear |
| Letters, order forms, invoices and emails | Full registered company name, company registration number, part of the UK where registered (for example England and Wales) and registered office address |
| Website | Company name, registration number, place of registration and registered office address, usually in the footer or an “about” page |
| Business premises | Company name displayed at the registered office and other places of business |
| If you mention share capital | It must be the paid-up share capital |
Directors’ names are optional, but if you name one director on a letterhead, you must name them all.
Sole traders and partnerships
If you trade under a business name that is not your own name, you must show your own name (or each partner’s name) and an address where documents can be served, on letters, invoices and receipts.
What a full VAT invoice must include
If you are VAT registered, a full VAT invoice must show:
- a unique, sequential invoice number
- the invoice date and the time of supply (tax point) if different
- your name, address and VAT registration number
- the customer’s name and address
- a description of the goods or services, the quantity and the unit price
- the rate of VAT and the amount charged per item, plus totals with and without VAT
Retailers can issue simplified invoices for supplies of £250 or less including VAT. If you are not VAT registered, do not show VAT or a VAT number.
Example
A new company, Bright Spark Electrical Ltd, should show on its invoice: “Bright Spark Electrical Ltd, registered in England and Wales, company number 12345678, registered office: [address]”, plus its VAT number if registered, its invoice number and payment terms. The same details go in the email signature and website footer.
Other things worth including
- Payment terms and bank details
- Late payment terms: businesses can charge statutory interest at 8% above base rate on late business-to-business invoices
- Reverse charge wording for construction services or certain imports
- Your logo and contact details
Recent Companies House changes
Companies must now give Companies House a registered email address, which is not made public, and directors and people with significant control must verify their identity. Make sure your registered office is a proper address, not a PO box, although a PO box can sometimes be used with a full postal address.
Penalties
Failing to show the required company details can lead to fines for the company and its officers, and can make it harder to enforce contracts in some cases.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to show my VAT number on all invoices?
Yes, on every VAT invoice.
Can I use my home address as the registered office?
Yes, but it becomes public. Many startups use a registered office service.
Do emails count as business letters?
Yes. Add company details to your email signature.
Must invoices be numbered?
VAT invoices need unique numbers. It is good practice for all invoices.
Related: what a registered office address is, issuing VAT invoices and what a service address is.
Talk to Accotax
Want this handled for you? Our team at Accotax can help with company set-up and compliance. See our startup accountants service, or contact us for a free, no-obligation quote.
This page is general guidance based on HMRC rules for the 2026/27 tax year, checked against gov.uk on 16 October 2026. It is not personal advice, so speak to an accountant about your own situation.
