Registration at a Glance
Before diving into country-specific details, here is a quick overview of what it takes to register a one person company in the three most popular jurisdictions. The process is simpler — and cheaper — than most people expect.
Registering a one person company is not the months-long bureaucratic ordeal many people imagine. In most countries, you can complete the entire process online in under a week for less than $500. The UK is the fastest at just 24 hours and £12.
The 7 Universal Steps to Register a One Person Company
Regardless of which country you are in, the registration process follows the same fundamental steps. The specific forms, portals, and fees differ, but the logic is identical everywhere.
Country-Specific Registration Details
Select your country below for exact steps, forms, portals, and document checklists.
Register a Single-Member LLC (United States)
The single-member LLC is the most popular structure for US-based solo entrepreneurs. Here is the exact step-by-step process.
| Step | Action | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choose your state of formation | Your home state (or WY/DE for privacy) | — |
| 2 | Search & reserve business name | Secretary of State website | $0–$25 |
| 3 | Appoint a Registered Agent | Yourself or a registered agent service | $0–$125/yr |
| 4 | File Articles of Organization | Secretary of State (online or mail) | $50–$500 |
| 5 | Draft Operating Agreement | Template or lawyer | $0–$300 |
| 6 | Apply for EIN | IRS.gov (free, instant) | Free |
| 7 | Open business bank account | Any bank | $0–$50 |
| 8 | File BOI Report with FinCEN | FinCEN.gov (required since 2024) | Free |
If you are a non-US resident, you can still form a US LLC. Wyoming and New Mexico are popular choices because they do not require an SSN for registration and offer strong privacy protections. You will need a registered agent service in the state ($49–$125/year).
Register an OPC — One Person Company (India)
India's OPC is registered through the SPICe+ (Simplified Proforma for Incorporating Company Electronically Plus) form on the MCA portal.
| Step | Action | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obtain Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) | Certified agency (online) | ₹500–₹2,000 |
| 2 | Apply for Director Identification Number (DIN) | Via SPICe+ form (auto-generated) | Included |
| 3 | Reserve company name via RUN service | MCA portal | ₹1,000 |
| 4 | Appoint a nominee (mandatory for OPC) | Nominee's written consent in Form INC-3 | — |
| 5 | Prepare MOA and AOA | SPICe-MOA and SPICe-AOA forms | Included |
| 6 | File SPICe+ form with MCA | MCA portal (online only) | ₹2,000–₹7,000 |
| 7 | PAN & TAN auto-generated | Auto-issued on incorporation | Included |
| 8 | Receive Certificate of Incorporation | From ROC (Registrar of Companies) | — |
The OPC member must be an Indian citizen who has resided in India for at least 182 days in the previous calendar year. The nominee must also be an Indian resident. If your OPC's paid-up capital exceeds ₹50 lakh or annual turnover exceeds ₹2 crore, you must convert to a Private Limited Company.
Register a Single-Member Ltd (United Kingdom)
The UK has one of the fastest and cheapest company registration processes in the world. You can register a Ltd company online through Companies House in under 24 hours for just £12.
| Step | Action | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Choose your company name | Companies House name checker | Free |
| 2 | Prepare Memorandum & Articles of Association | Model articles available (standard templates) | Free |
| 3 | Register online with Companies House | Companies House web service | £12 |
| 4 | Receive Certificate of Incorporation | Typically within 24 hours | — |
| 5 | Register for Corporation Tax with HMRC | HMRC online (within 3 months of trading) | Free |
| 6 | Open business bank account | Any UK bank | Free |
| 7 | Set up payroll (if paying yourself salary) | HMRC PAYE online | Free |
You do not need to be a UK resident to register a UK Ltd company. However, you will need a UK registered office address (a virtual office service costs £30–£100/year). The UK's fast, affordable, and English-language process makes it popular with international solo entrepreneurs.
Registration Cost Comparison
Here is a complete cost comparison across all three countries, including both government fees and typical professional service charges.
| Cost Category | 🇺🇸 US (LLC) | 🇮🇳 India (OPC) | 🇬🇧 UK (Ltd) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government filing fees | $50–$500 | ₹3K–₹8K ($36–$96) | £12 ($15) |
| Name reservation | $0–$25 | ₹1,000 ($12) | Free |
| Registered agent / DSC | $0–$125/yr | ₹500–₹2K ($6–$24) | £0–£100/yr |
| Professional fees (optional) | $0–$500 | ₹3K–₹10K ($36–$120) | £0–£200 |
| Tax ID | Free (EIN) | Free (PAN/TAN auto) | Free (UTR) |
| Total (DIY) | $50–$525 | ₹5K–₹12K ($60–$144) | £12–£112 ($15–$140) |
| Total (with professional help) | $150–$1,000 | ₹8K–₹22K ($96–$264) | £50–£400 ($62–$500) |
What to Do After Registration
Receiving your Certificate of Incorporation is just the beginning. Here are the essential post-registration tasks to complete within your first 30 days.
Mixing personal and business money — This can destroy your limited liability. Use separate accounts for everything. Missing annual filing deadlines — Late fees add up fast, and your company can lose its good standing. Not keeping receipts — Every business expense is a potential tax deduction, but only if you have documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your country. In the US, a single-member LLC can be registered in 1–5 business days online (2–4 weeks by mail). In India, OPC registration via SPICe+ takes 7–10 business days. In the UK, Companies House processes most applications within 24 hours. These timelines assume your documents are complete and accurate.
Government fees range from £12 ($15) in the UK to $50–$500 in the US (varies by state) to ₹5,000–₹15,000 ($60–$180) in India. Professional help (lawyers, accountants, formation services) adds $100–$500 but is optional. Most solo entrepreneurs can complete the process themselves using online portals.
No. In all three major jurisdictions (US, UK, India), you can register online without professional help. However, consulting a lawyer or tax advisor is worthwhile if you have complex intellectual property needs, plan to raise investment capital, or want to optimize your tax structure from the start.
Requirements vary by country but typically include: government-issued ID, proof of address, a proposed company name, formation documents (Articles of Organization in the US, MOA/AOA in India and UK), and registered agent details (US) or nominee details (India OPC). See the country-specific checklists above for complete lists.
Yes. All three major jurisdictions support full online registration. The US uses state Secretary of State websites, India uses the MCA's SPICe+ portal, and the UK uses Companies House online service. Online filing is faster and often cheaper than paper filing.
After receiving your Certificate of Incorporation, you need to: obtain your tax ID (EIN, PAN, or UTR), open a business bank account, set up accounting software, obtain any required business licenses, and create a compliance calendar with all annual filing deadlines. These post-registration tasks typically take 1–2 weeks to complete.