# What Information Must Be on a Business Letterhead in the UK?

Source: https://dijitulmedia.co.uk/guides/what-information-must-be-on-a-business-letterhead/
Updated: 2026-10-12

> A UK limited company's letterhead must show its full registered name, registered number, the part of the UK it is registered in, and its registered office address, under the Companies Act 2006 and the 2015 Trading Disclosures Regulations. dijitul designs compliant letterheads from £75 + VAT, supplied as print-ready files and editable Word templates.

## Key facts

- Companies must show their registered name, registered number, place of registration and registered office address
- If any director is named (other than in the text or as signatory), all directors must be named
- If share capital is mentioned, it must be the paid-up share capital
- Sole traders and partnerships using a business name must show the owners' names and an address
- The same details must appear on order forms and websites, and belong on business emails too
- A VAT number is not required on a letterhead, only on VAT invoices

## The law that applies

Letterhead rules come from the **Companies Act 2006** and the **Company, Limited Liability Partnership and Business (Names and Trading Disclosures) Regulations 2015**. Business Companion, the trading standards guidance site for businesses, summarises them (checked October 2026). They apply to companies, limited liability partnerships, and to sole traders and partnerships that trade under a name other than their own.

The rules cover more than paper. The same details must appear on order forms and websites, and the company name must appear on business emails. Emails sent in the course of business are widely treated as business letters, so the safe approach is to include the full details in every email footer too. Treat this as a checklist for every template your business uses.

## Limited companies

A limited company's business letters must show:

- The company's **registered name**, exactly as at Companies House, including Limited or Ltd.
- The **part of the UK** it is registered in, for example Registered in England and Wales, Registered in Scotland, or Registered in Northern Ireland.
- The **registered number**.
- The **registered office address**. If you trade from a different address, you can show both, but label the registered office clearly.

Further rules apply in some cases:

- **Directors' names** are optional. But if the letterhead names any director (other than in the body of the letter or as the person signing), it must name **every** director.
- **Share capital** does not have to be shown. If it is, it must be the paid-up share capital.
- Companies exempt from using Limited in their name must state that they are a limited company.

A typical footer reads: Example Trading Ltd. Registered in England and Wales, company number 01234567. Registered office: 1 High Street, Mansfield, NG18 1AA.

## LLPs, sole traders and partnerships

**Limited liability partnerships** follow equivalent rules: registered name, place of registration, registered number and registered office address.

**Sole traders and partnerships** that trade under a business name, rather than their own names, must show the name of each owner or partner and an address in the UK where documents can be served, on business letters, written orders, invoices, receipts, written demands for payment and websites. They must also display this information prominently at their business premises. A sole trader using only their own name, such as Jane Smith, does not need to add anything.

## Charities and VAT numbers

Under section 39 of the **Charities Act 2011**, a registered charity in England and Wales whose gross income exceeded £10,000 in its last financial year must state that it is a registered charity on documents that solicit money or property, and on invoices, receipts, cheques and orders. Most charities put this, with their charity number, on their letterhead so every letter is covered. See design for charities.

A **VAT number** is not required on a letterhead. It must appear on VAT invoices. Many businesses still include it on letterheads for convenience, which is fine.

## Design tips for a letterhead that works

- Put legal details in a neat footer in 7 to 8 point type. Legible, but out of the way.
- Leave a clear address window if you use window envelopes. A DL window envelope needs the address in a precise position.
- Supply an **editable Word template** as well as print files. Most letters are now sent as PDFs, so a digital letterhead matters as much as printed stock.
- Print on 100 to 120gsm uncoated paper so it runs through office printers. See paper weights.
- Update your email signature with the same legal details.

## When to call dijitul

dijitul designs letterheads and business cards from £75 + VAT, with the correct legal details for your business type, as print-ready PDFs and an editable Word template. We have done this for UK businesses since 2006. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Request a quote.

## FAQs

### Does a limited company have to put its registered number on letterheads?

Yes. Under the Companies Act 2006 and the 2015 Trading Disclosures Regulations, a company's business letters must show its registered name, registered number, the part of the UK it is registered in, and its registered office address. The same details must be on your website and order forms, and belong in your email footer.

### Do I have to list directors on my letterhead?

No, directors' names are optional. But if you name any director on the letterhead, other than in the text of a letter or as the signatory, you must name all of them. Many companies leave directors off to avoid reprinting when the board changes.

### What must a sole trader put on a letterhead?

If you trade under your own name, nothing extra is required. If you use a business name, you must show your own name and an address where documents can be served, on letters, invoices, receipts, written orders and your website.

### Do I need my VAT number on my letterhead?

No. A VAT registration number must appear on VAT invoices, not on letterheads. Many businesses include it anyway for convenience. dijitul can add or leave it off as you prefer when designing your letterhead, from £75 + VAT.

### Do emails need the same company details as letterheads?

Your registered name must appear on business emails, and business emails are widely treated as business letters, so the safe approach is to include the registered name, number, place of registration and registered office in every email footer. dijitul designs matching email signatures.

### Can my letterhead show my trading address instead of my registered office?

You can show your trading address, but a limited company must also show its registered office address, clearly labelled. If they are the same, one address labelled as the registered office is enough.

## Prices and contact

Prices (all from, + VAT): Logo design £150; Brand identity pack £395; Business cards or letterhead £75; Flyer or leaflet £95; Brochure £295; Social media graphics pack £99; Photography, half day £295; Photography, full day £495; Product photography £25 per image; Video £695; 2D/3D CAD and design time £45 an hour. All prices are "from" and exclude VAT. Every job gets a fixed price before work starts. Printing, and travel for shoots beyond the Mansfield and Nottinghamshire area, are quoted separately. Contact: https://dijitulmedia.co.uk/contact/ · 01623 650333 · info@dijitul.uk