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The Daily Insight

Do articles of association need to be filed at Companies House?

Author

Daniel Martin

Updated on February 13, 2026

To form a company with bespoke articles, the articles must be completed in paper form and cannot be completed online. A copy of the bespoke articles must be attached to the formation documents and sent to Companies House.

Considering this, how do I file an article of association with Companies House?

  1. shareholders to sign the written resolution to change the articles;
  2. attach a copy of the new or amended articles to the written resolution; and.
  3. send both documents to Companies House within 15 days of the resolution being signed (and thereby passed upon signing).

Similarly, does a company need articles of association? The articles of association is the primary constitutional document that sets out the rules and regulations by which the internal affairs of a company is governed. As stated in Section 18 of the Companies Act 2006, it is a legal requirement of all UK companies to have articles of association.

Subsequently, one may also ask, do articles of association need to be updated?

There is no obligation to keep your articles of association (articles) up to date but there are definite benefits. It would be cost effective to update your articles to reflect, and take advantage of, the significant changes introduced by the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) and some more recent changes to that regime.

What is the legal form of articles of association?

Articles of association form a document that specifies the regulations for a company's operations and defines the company's purpose. The document lays out how tasks are to be accomplished within the organization, including the process for appointing directors and the handling of financial records.

Related Question Answers

Can you change your articles of association?

Change Memorandum and Articles of Association You can modify or replace the Articles of Association for a private limited company directly with Companies House. To make the necessary modifications you will need to hold a meeting of the directors and pass a Special Resolution.

Where can I find my articles of association?

Where can I get a copy of my company's articles of association? You can download a copy of the Model articles online via Companies House. If you register through 1st Formations, we will provide you with a copy of the Model articles when your company has been incorporated.

Who can change the articles of association?

As per section 283 of the Companies Act 2006, you can alter the articles of association by passing a special resolution of the shareholders, provided there is a legitimate reason for making such changes.

How do I change a company's share structure?

Start transaction
  1. Once logged in, select 'Start new form' in the left hand menu.
  2. From the list of available forms, select '484'.
  3. Select 'Change to share structure'.
  4. If you are issuing or cancelling shares, you will also need to select 'Change to members register' at the same time.
  5. Select the 'Reason for change'.

How do I change ownership of a company?

Voting rights allow the owner to control a portion of the company through ownership. By transferring stock ownership from one individual to another individual, you will successful transfer ownership in the corporation. Determine the number of stock you have and the current number of stock outstanding.

How do you change a company's article?

Can Articles of Association be changed?
  1. shareholders to sign the written resolution to change the articles;
  2. attach a copy of the new or amended articles to the written resolution; and.
  3. send both documents to Companies House within 15 days of the resolution being signed (and thereby passed upon signing).

What is included in articles of association?

Articles of association form a document that specifies the regulations for a company's operations and defines the company's purpose. The document lays out how tasks are to be accomplished within the organization, including the process for appointing directors and the handling of financial records.

Is articles of association a public document?

The articles are a public document open to inspection at Companies House. They create a contract between the company and each of its members in their capacity as members. Companies have freedom in drafting their articles although they are subject to relevant provisions of the Companies Acts.

What is the difference between articles of association and constitution?

On the other hand, 'Articles of Association' shortly known as AOA, is a document containing all the rules and regulations designed by the company. While the MOA sets out the company's constitution, and so it is the cornerstone on which the company is built.

What is the importance of articles of association?

Articles of Association is an important document of a Joint Stock Company. It contains the rules and regulations or bye-laws of the company. They are related to the internal working or management of the company. It plays a very important role in the affairs of a company.

What does resolution of adoption of articles of association mean?

New Articles of Association may be adopted by the shareholders passing a special resolution in a general meeting or by written resolution. Shareholders' Special Resolutions require the votes of 75% of members present in person or by proxy, who are entitled to vote and do vote at the meeting.

How do you change memorandum and articles of association?

Change Memorandum and Articles of Association You can modify or replace the Articles of Association for a private limited company directly with Companies House. To make the necessary modifications you will need to hold a meeting of the directors and pass a Special Resolution.

Do Table A articles still apply?

Table A continues to apply to companies limited by shares incorporated before 1 October 2009, unless and until those companies specifically adopt the model articles or other articles. For further information, see Companies House: Companies Act 2006 - Model Articles.

Can Articles of Association be amended retrospectively?

The fundamental right of a company to alter its articles is subject to the following limitations: Any subsequent alteration thereof which of inconsistent with such an order can be made by the company only with the leave of the court. g) The alteration cannot have retrospective effect.

How do you amend an article?

  1. Obtain articles of amendment of the articles of incorporation (sometimes called the certificate of amendment of articles of incorporation) from your state's Secretary of State.
  2. Obtain a copy of the original articles of incorporation.
  3. Propose the change in the articles of incorporation to the Board of Directors.

What is contained in the articles of association?

Articles of association form a document that specifies the regulations for a company's operations and defines the company's purpose. The document lays out how tasks are to be accomplished within the organization, including the process for appointing directors and the handling of financial records.

Who prepares the memorandum of association?

Memorandum of Association – MoA Format. A Memorandum of Association (MoA) represents the charter of the company. It is a legal document prepared during the formation and registration process of a company to define its relationship with shareholders and it specifies the objectives for which the company has been formed.

What is the difference between memorandum of association and articles of association?

Memorandum of Association is a document that contains all the condition which are required for the registration of the company. Articles of Association is a document that contains the rules and regulation for the administration of the company.

What are the content of article of association?

Articles of Association generally prescribes the relation between shareholders and Board of Directors, relation among shareholders and Directors themselves. It usually contains regulation relating to Share capital and Variation rights, Lien, Calls on Shares, Transfer and Transmission of shares etc.

Is Article of Association same as bylaws?

The basic difference is pretty simple. Articles of Incorporation are public records, Bylaws are not. For a corporation, this document is called “Articles of Incorporation” and “Articles of Organization” for a Limited Liability Company (LLC).

What is alteration of articles of association?

Company can alter its Article by way of addition, deletion, modification, substitution, or in any other way, only if it wants. The articles of association of a company are its by-laws or rules and regulations which govern the management of its internal affairs and the conduct of its business.

Who is a promoter of a company?

A corporate promoter is a firm or person who does the preliminary work incidental to the formation of a company, including its promotion, incorporation, and flotation, and solicits people to invest money in the company, usually when it is being formed.

Are articles of association public documents?

The articles are a public document open to inspection at Companies House. They create a contract between the company and each of its members in their capacity as members. Companies have freedom in drafting their articles although they are subject to relevant provisions of the Companies Acts.

What is doctrine of ultra vires?

The Doctrine of Ultra Vires is a fundamental rule of Company Law. Hence, if the company does an act, or enters into a contract beyond the powers of the directors and/or the company itself, then the said act/contract is void and not legally binding on the company. The term Ultra Vires means 'Beyond Powers'.

What are articles give examples?

Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. Consider the following examples: After the long day, the cup of tea tasted particularly good. By using the article the, we've shown that it was one specific day that was long and one specific cup of tea that tasted good.