Limited Company Invoice Template (UK)
A compliant UK invoice for a Ltd company shows more than a sole trader's — here's exactly what, and a free template that includes it.
Invoicing as a UK limited company carries a few legal requirements that a sole trader does not have. Under the Companies Act 2006, your invoices must identify the company properly: the full registered name, the company registration number, and the registered office address. Get these on the invoice and the rest is the same familiar layout.
The four company details you must show
Full registered company name · company registration number · registered office address · place of registration (e.g. "Registered in England and Wales"). Required whether or not you are VAT registered — plus your VAT number if you are.
What is Limited company vs sole trader invoices?
A sole trader invoices under their own or a trading name and needs their name, address and (if VAT registered) a VAT number. A limited company is a separate legal entity, so its invoices must additionally carry the registered company name, company registration number and registered office address under the Companies Act 2006. Both follow the same HMRC VAT rules once VAT registered.
Examples:
- Sole trader: name, address, VAT number (if registered)
- Ltd company: all of the above plus registered name, company number, registered office
- Both: unique invoice number, date, client details, VAT once registered
How to invoice as a UK limited company
Six steps that keep a Ltd company's invoice compliant with the Companies Act and HMRC.
Estimated time: About 5 minutes
- 1
Use your full registered company name
Not your trading name — the exact registered name as it appears at Companies House, including the 'Limited' or 'Ltd' suffix. This is a Companies Act requirement, and using only a trading name is a common slip.
- 2
Show your company registration number (CRN)
The 8-character number Companies House issued when the company was incorporated. It must appear on invoices, order forms and business letters — leaving it off is technically an offence under the Companies Act 2006.
- 3
Give your registered office address
The official registered office as filed at Companies House, plus the place of registration — for example 'Registered in England and Wales'. If you trade from a different address you can show both, but the registered office must be present.
- 4
Add your VAT number if registered
If the company is VAT registered, show the VAT registration number and issue a full VAT invoice with the VAT shown separately. If it is not registered, leave VAT off entirely — do not show a VAT line.
- 5
Add the invoice essentials
A unique sequential invoice number, the invoice date, the client's name and address, a clear description of what was supplied, the amounts, and your payment terms and bank details.
- 6
Name all directors, or none
You do not have to name any directors on the invoice, but if you name one you must name them all. Most limited companies simply leave directors off.
What goes on a limited company invoice
| Field | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full registered company name | Yes | Exactly as at Companies House, with Ltd/Limited |
| Company registration number | Yes | 8-character CRN; required by the Companies Act |
| Registered office address | Yes | Even if you trade from elsewhere |
| Place of registration | Yes | e.g. 'Registered in England and Wales' |
| Unique invoice number | Yes | Sequential, no gaps or repeats |
| Invoice date | Yes | Date of issue |
| Client name and address | Yes | Who you are billing |
| Description and amounts | Yes | What was supplied, and the totals |
| VAT number | If registered | Plus a full VAT invoice with VAT shown separately |
| Directors' names | Optional | But name all or none |
Frequently Asked Questions
What must a UK limited company show on its invoices?
Under the Companies Act 2006, a limited company's invoices must show the full registered company name (exactly as registered at Companies House), the company registration number, the registered office address, and the place of registration, such as 'Registered in England and Wales'. If the company is VAT registered it must also show its VAT number and issue a full VAT invoice. These company details are required whether or not the company is VAT registered.
Do I have to put my company registration number on invoices?
Yes. The Companies Act 2006 requires the company registration number to appear on business letters, order forms and invoices. Omitting it is technically a criminal offence, although prosecutions for that alone are rare. The number is the 8-character CRN issued by Companies House at incorporation, and it belongs on every invoice the company issues.
Can I use my trading name instead of my registered company name?
You can show a trading name, but not instead of the registered name — the full registered company name must appear somewhere on the invoice. A common and compliant approach is to lead with the trading name for branding and include the registered name and company number in the footer or alongside the registered office.
Do I need to show my registered office if I work from home?
Yes. The registered office address filed at Companies House must appear on the invoice even if you trade from elsewhere. Many directors who work from home use a registered office service to keep their home address off public documents; whatever address is registered at Companies House is the one to show.
Does a limited company have to charge VAT?
Only if it is VAT registered. Registration is compulsory once taxable turnover exceeds 90,000 GBP in any rolling 12-month period, and optional below that. A company under the threshold and not registered does not charge VAT and must not show a VAT line — its invoice still carries the company name, number and registered office, just without VAT.
Do I have to name the company directors on the invoice?
No — naming directors is optional. But the Companies Act rule is all-or-nothing: if you name one director, you must name every director. Because of that, most limited companies leave directors off invoices entirely and simply show the company details.
Create your limited company invoice
Free, no sign-up — with room for your company number, registered office and VAT, and a polished PDF at the end.
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