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Articles of Association Template (UK)
Create Your Professional Document in Minutes

Generate your complete UK Articles of Association, reviewed by legal professionals, using either our Smart Interview or Expert Editor. Both methods produce the same professional document, ready to download instantly.

Limited Time Offer One-time payment: £10
✓ Lifetime access • ✓ Fully editable • ✓ Updated for UK law • ✓ Instant download
Backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Preview the full document before purchase — see every clause with watermark.

Choose how you want to create your document

Select your preferred method below — both methods build the same compliant document, so you're simply choosing how you want to work.

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Companies House Filing Procedure

Self-filing guidance for Articles of Association registration

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Custom Articles Are Optional

You don't HAVE to file custom Articles. If you don't file any Articles, Companies House automatically applies default "Model Articles for Private Companies Limited by Shares" to your company. Model Articles are perfectly adequate for simple companies with standard requirements. Only use our custom template if you want different rules — such as transfer restrictions, pre-emption rights, multiple share classes, weighted voting, or investor-required provisions.

New Company Formation
File with incorporation application (Form IN01) — £12 online filing fee
Existing Company Amendment
File constitutional change notice (Form CC04) — £15 filing fee
Accepted Formats
PDF (recommended) or Word document — Maximum 4MB file size
Most Common

New Company Formation

Filing Articles of Association as part of company incorporation under Companies Act 2006.

  1. Generate your Articles of Association using this template system
  2. Access Companies House: www.gov.uk/register-a-company-online
  3. Complete Form IN01 — Company incorporation application
  4. Upload custom Articles — Select "Use custom Articles of Association" option and upload your PDF/Word document
  5. Submit payment — £12 for online filing or £40 for postal applications
  6. Processing time — Typically 24 hours for online applications
  7. Certificate of Incorporation issued — Company legally formed upon registration

Optional Filing: Custom Articles are not mandatory. If you don't upload custom Articles during incorporation, Companies House automatically applies default Model Articles for Private Companies Limited by Shares (Companies (Model Articles) Regulations 2008). Model Articles are suitable for straightforward companies. Only file custom Articles if you need different provisions.

Amendment Procedure

Existing Company Amendment

Adopting new Articles of Association for an already-registered company under section 21, Companies Act 2006.

  1. Generate new Articles of Association using this template system
  2. Convene General Meeting — Or obtain written shareholder consent
  3. Pass Special Resolution — Requires 75% shareholder approval to adopt new constitutional document
  4. Complete Form CC04 — Notice of resolution and change to company's constitution
  5. Attach documents — Upload new Articles (PDF/Word) and certified copy of special resolution
  6. Submit to Companies House — Online or postal filing with £15 fee
  7. Processing time — Typically 2-3 working days
  8. Registration complete — New Articles become effective upon Companies House registration

Legal Effect: Amended Articles become binding on the company and all members only upon official registration by Companies House, not from the date of the special resolution.

Template Compliance Standards
This template system generates documents that meet all statutory requirements:
  • Full compliance with Companies Act 2006 provisions
  • Proper legal drafting accepted by Companies House
  • Exportable as PDF or Word document formats
  • Includes all mandatory constitutional clauses
  • Contains appropriate execution provisions
Document Submission Requirements
Companies House technical specifications for filed documents:
  • PDF format preferred (maximum compatibility)
  • Microsoft Word format (.doc/.docx) also accepted
  • Documents must be clearly legible
  • Maximum file size: 4 megabytes

This template provides both export options via "Download PDF" and "Export to Word" functions.

Filing Process Summary

1
Generate Articles using this template system
2
Download document as PDF or Word format
3
Upload to Companies House via Form IN01 or CC04
4
Pay applicable filing fee (£12 or £15)
New Companies: Online Registration Service Existing Companies: Form CC04 Guidance Companies House Official Portal

Professional Legal Advice: While this template is legally compliant and suitable for standard company formations, complex corporate structures (investor-backed entities, multiple share classes, special voting arrangements) may benefit from solicitor review prior to filing. Professional consultation services are available through the links provided in the template system.

Recommended
✨

Smart Interview

Answer simple guided questions and we'll build your full articles of association automatically. Perfect if you want a clear, step-by-step process with no legal knowledge required.

Completion Time
10 minutes
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Expert Editor (Fastest)

See all fields instantly and edit your document directly with live preview updates. Ideal if you want full control and faster completion.

Completion Time
5 minutes
Legal Requirement

Why You Need Articles of Association

Every UK limited company must have Articles of Association - your company's constitution and governance rules

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Legal Requirement

Companies Act 2006 requires all limited companies to have Articles. They're filed at Companies House and publicly available.

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Company Constitution

Articles define how your company operates - from share transfers to director powers and shareholder meetings.

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Governance Framework

Clear rules on decision-making, voting rights, and powers prevent disputes and ensure smooth operations.

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What Must Be Included in Articles of Association

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Under Companies Act 2006, Articles of Association must cover:

  • Company name - Official registered name including "Limited" or "Ltd"
  • Company type - Private company limited by shares (most common)
  • Share capital structure - Share classes, rights, and nominal values
  • Liability of members - Limited to amount unpaid on shares
  • Directors' powers and responsibilities - Authority to manage company
  • Directors' appointment and removal - Procedures for changes
  • Directors' decision-making - Board meetings, quorum, voting
  • Shares and distributions - Issue, transfer, transmission procedures
  • Shareholder rights - Voting, dividends, capital distributions
  • General meetings - AGMs, notice periods, quorum, voting
  • Dividend policy - Declaration and payment procedures
  • Administrative provisions - Records, communications, notices

Our template includes all mandatory provisions for Companies House registration.

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Model Articles vs Bespoke Articles

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Companies House Model Articles (Default):

  • Free and automatic: If you don't file bespoke articles, Model Articles apply by default
  • Generic provisions: Designed for simple companies with standard requirements
  • Limited customization: May not suit companies with specific needs
  • Unrestricted share transfers: No pre-emption rights or transfer restrictions
  • Standard director powers: Basic authority without specific limitations
  • No special provisions: No weighted voting, drag-along, or investor protections

When You Need Bespoke Articles:

Multiple share classes with different rights, transfer restrictions and pre-emption rights, weighted or special voting rights, enhanced minority shareholder protections, specific director restrictions, dividend preference provisions, or investor-required terms (venture capital/private equity).

Our template provides customizable articles beyond basic Model Articles.

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What's Included in Our Articles Template

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Comprehensive Constitutional Document:

  • ✓ Company identification and type
  • ✓ Interpretation and definitions section
  • ✓ Liability of members (limited by shares)
  • ✓ Share capital structure and classes
  • ✓ Share rights (voting, dividends, capital)
  • ✓ Directors' powers and responsibilities
  • ✓ Directors' appointment and removal
  • ✓ Alternate directors provisions
  • ✓ Directors' conflicts of interest
  • ✓ Directors' decision-making rules
  • ✓ Board meeting procedures and quorum
  • ✓ Chairperson's casting vote
  • ✓ Written resolutions by directors
  • ✓ Share issue and allotment procedures
  • ✓ Share transfer restrictions
  • ✓ Pre-emption rights on transfer
  • ✓ Transmission of shares (death/bankruptcy)
  • ✓ General meeting procedures
  • ✓ Notice requirements and periods
  • ✓ Quorum for shareholder meetings
  • ✓ Voting procedures and proxies
  • ✓ Dividend declaration and payment
  • ✓ Capitalisation of profits
  • ✓ Record-keeping and communications
  • ✓ Indemnity provisions for directors

Companies House ready, legally compliant, and fully customizable.

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Common Articles of Association Mistakes

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Don't Make These Critical Errors:

  • Using Model Articles unchanged: Default articles don't include transfer restrictions, leaving shares freely transferable to outsiders.
  • Forgetting pre-emption rights: Shareholders can sell to third parties without offering shares to existing shareholders first.
  • No share class structure: Missing ordinary vs preference shares limits future investment options.
  • Weak director provisions: Not specifying director powers and restrictions creates governance uncertainty.
  • Missing quorum rules: Unclear quorum requirements can invalidate meeting decisions.
  • No written resolution procedures: Forcing physical meetings for every decision wastes time.
  • Vague voting procedures: Unclear voting rules lead to disputed resolutions.
  • No transmission provisions: Missing rules for share inheritance or bankruptcy transfers.
  • Conflicting Shareholders Agreement: Articles that contradict your Shareholders Agreement create enforceability issues.
  • Not filing amendments: Changing articles without filing at Companies House means changes aren't legally effective.

Our template prevents these mistakes with clear, compliant provisions.

🔗 Official Government & Legal Resources
📘 GOV.UK: Articles of Association ⚖️ Companies Act 2006 📄 Model Articles (Private Ltd) 🏢 Companies House

Quick Comparison

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Best For
Smart Interview for first-time users, Expert Editor for experienced founders
📄
Final Document
Both create identical Companies House-ready Articles
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Price
Same price: £10 for either method

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these Articles of Association legally valid?

Yes. Our Articles comply with Companies Act 2006 requirements and can be filed at Companies House. They become your company's binding constitution once registered or adopted by special resolution.

Should I use Model Articles or bespoke Articles?

Model Articles are adequate for simple companies with one owner and standard requirements. Use bespoke Articles (like ours) if you have multiple shareholders, want transfer restrictions, need different share classes, or have investors requiring specific provisions. Our template is customizable to your needs.

Can I file these Articles with Companies House myself?

Yes. For new companies, file them with your incorporation application using form IN01. For existing companies, file form CC04 (special resolution) with £15 fee to adopt new Articles. Our document includes filing guidance.

What's the difference between Articles and a Shareholders Agreement?

Articles are public, filed at Companies House, and govern the company itself. They can be changed by 75% shareholder vote. A Shareholders Agreement is private, not filed, governs relationships between shareholders, and typically requires unanimous consent to amend. Both documents work together - Articles for public governance, Shareholders Agreement for private shareholder rights.

Can I change my Articles of Association later?

Yes. Articles can be amended by passing a special resolution (75% shareholder vote) and filing form CC04 with Companies House. However, some changes may be restricted by your Shareholders Agreement or require higher thresholds if specified in the Articles themselves.

Why We Offer Two Methods

Different users prefer different approaches. Some like guided assistance to ensure all governance rules are properly structured, while others prefer seeing everything at once for faster completion. We've created both options to match your working style. The final Articles of Association are identical regardless of which method you choose.

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