---
title: Help Centre
---

[![1st Formations](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/hubfs/1st%20Formations%20-%20Form.png)](https://www.1stformations.co.uk/) [Help Centre](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/?hsLang=en-gb)

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# How can we help you?

Top searches:

[PVCs](https://help.1stformations.co.uk?q=PVCs&type=KNOWLEDGE_ARTICLE&hsLang=en-gb) [Eligibility](https://help.1stformations.co.uk?q=Eligibility&type=KNOWLEDGE_ARTICLE&hsLang=en-gb) [ID requirements](https://help.1stformations.co.uk?q=ID+requirements&type=KNOWLEDGE_ARTICLE&hsLang=en-gb) [UTR](https://help.1stformations.co.uk?q=UTR&type=KNOWLEDGE_ARTICLE&hsLang=en-gb) [Banking](https://help.1stformations.co.uk?q=Banking&type=KNOWLEDGE_ARTICLE&hsLang=en-gb)

[![1. Form a Company (1)-1](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/hubfs/1.%20Form%20a%20Company%20(1)-1.png) Form a Company Eligibility, choosing the right package and application guidance.](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/form-a-company?hsLang=en-gb) [![2. Track Your Order](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/hubfs/2.%20Track%20Your%20Order.png) Track Your Order Check the progress of your company formation or service order.](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/track-your-order?hsLang=en-gb) [![Your Accounting Serivce 1](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/hubfs/Your%20Accounting%20Serivce%201.svg) Accounting Service Help with your Accounting Service, from Xero to tax and payroll.](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/accounting-service?hsLang=en-gb) [![7. ID Checks](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/hubfs/7.%20ID%20Checks.png) ID Checks Our ID verification process, accepted documents and PVCs.](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/id-checks?hsLang=en-gb) [![5. Manage Your Services](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/hubfs/5.%20Manage%20Your%20Services.png) Manage Your Account & Services Handle your payments, renewals and cancellations.](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/manage-account-services?hsLang=en-gb) [![9. Non-UK Residents](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/hubfs/9.%20Non-UK%20Residents.png) Non-UK Residents Guidance on registering and running a UK company as a non‑resident.](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/non-uk-residents?hsLang=en-gb) [![3. After Company Formation](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/hubfs/3.%20After%20Company%20Formation.png) After Company Formation Bank accounts, web domains, and preparing your company for trading.](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/after-company-formation?hsLang=en-gb) [![4. Address Services & Mail](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/hubfs/4.%20Address%20Services%20%26%20Mail.png) Address Services & Mail Set up your addresses, manage mail, and keep your details up to date.](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/address-services-mail?hsLang=en-gb) [![6. Staying Compliant](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/hubfs/6.%20Staying%20Compliant.png) Staying Compliant Maintain compliance and make changes to your company.](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/staying-compliant?hsLang=en-gb)

## Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cancel my services?

You can cancel your service by contacting our Cancellations Team on 020 3897 2233. We recommend getting in touch before your renewal date - reminder emails are sent 7 days in advance to help you avoid unwanted renewals.

If your service has already renewed, you may still be eligible for a refund. You can enquire further by contacting the same team. 

What is a Personal Verification Code (PVC), and how do I get one?

A Personal Verification Code (PVC) is an 11-character code issued by Companies House after your identity is verified. It is unique to you (not your company) and is required for directors and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs) under new legal requirements. Without it, you cannot form a company or file a confirmation statement for an existing company.

If you’re forming a new company with us, we will complete the identity verification for you, and your PVC will be issued to you directly by Companies House.

Existing directors and PSCs must verify their identity via [GOV.UK One Login](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/verify-your-identity-for-companies-house) to obtain their PVC, which can then be used across all their company roles. 

Why do I need to complete identity verification with 1st Formations?

Under the Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds (Information on the Payer) Regulations 2017, the London Local Authorities Act 2007, and KYC requirements, 1st Formations is required to verify the identity and residential address of certain individuals. This includes, but is not limited to, customers, directors, and Persons with Significant Control (PSCs).

If you are forming a company with 1st Formations, we will complete the Companies House identity verification process on your behalf as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP) to obtain your PVC.

However, even if you have already completed ID verification with Companies House and received your PVC, you will still need to verify with us to meet our regulatory obligations. 

How do I request a refund?

To request a refund, contact our Refunds Team on 020 3897 2233, and they will review your request and guide you through the process.

Refunds are usually available if you contact us within 14 days of purchase and work has not yet started on your order. Once approved, refunds typically take 3–5 working days to appear in your account, depending on your bank.

Can you confirm my trading address, and can I obtain proof of it?

Your trading address – also known as your principal place of business – is the location you are physically operating the majority of your business from. Our address services provide a registered office, service address, or business address with mail forwarding, but they cannot be used as your company’s trading address or principal place of business. This is because you do not physically operate the majority of your business from our location, so we are unable to issue proof such as utility bills or lease documents.

If you operate from home, your residential address should be used as your trading address. If you are unsure which address to provide, we recommend checking with the organisation requesting the information, as requirements may vary.

Are there any restrictions for non-UK residents, and is my country of residence supported?

We support company formations for residents in a range of countries, but we are unable to provide services in every location. Your eligibility depends on your current country of residence, and it must be included in our supported countries list.

If your country is not supported, we will not be able to proceed with your order. Please review [this article](https://help.1stformations.co.uk/non-uk-residents/eligible-countries/article?hsLang=en-gb) to confirm your eligibility before placing an order. 

What is a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), and where can I find mine?

A Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) is a 10-digit number issued by HMRC that identifies your company for tax purposes. It is usually sent by post to your registered office within 2–3 weeks of incorporation.

If you use our Registered Office Service, your UTR letter will be scanned and emailed to you, and you can also view it in your dashboard under “[My Mail](https://www.1stformations.co.uk/processed-mail/)”. If you use a personal registered office address, it will be delivered directly to that address by post. 

What is a Company Authentication Code (Auth Code), and where can I find mine?

A Company Authentication Code is a 6-character code issued by Companies House that allows you to securely manage and file updates for your company online.

If you formed your company with 1st Formations, you can find it in your “**Order Fulfilment**” email (under the “Authentication Code” attachment) or in your Customer Dashboard under “[My Companies](https://www.1stformations.co.uk/companies/).” If you formed your company directly with Companies House, the code is sent by post to your registered office address shortly after incorporation.

What needs to be filed for a dormant company?

Even if your company is dormant, it is a legal requirement to file a [confirmation statement](https://www.1stformations.co.uk/confirmation-statement-service/) and [dormant accounts](https://www.1stformations.co.uk/dormant-company-accounts/) with Companies House. If your company has stopped trading or never traded, you should also [notify HMRC of your dormant status](https://www.gov.uk/tell-hmrc-your-company-is-dormant-for-corporation-tax). Failure to meet these obligations may result in penalties or your company being struck off the register.

Do you form companies with corporate shareholders?

At this time, we do not assist with forming subsidiaries or companies that include corporate shareholders in the ownership structure. We can currently only form companies with individuals (i.e. natural persons).

Where can I find the link to complete identity verification?

If you have just submitted your order, we will send you an email containing a link to complete your identity verification within one hour (during working hours). In most cases, the email arrives within 5 minutes, but occasionally we may need to manually review your details before generating the link.

If it has been more than an hour and you have not received the email:

- Check your spam or junk folder
- Confirm the email address listed in the "My Details" section of your Customer Dashboard is correct
- Contact us if you are still experiencing issues

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