How to set up a CIC, charity or co-operative, step by step
Seghu's incorporation wizards walk you through forming a UK social enterprise, one structure at a time. Your answers fill in your formation documents, such as articles of association, a CIO constitution or society rules, ready for you to check, download and file yourself.
- A guided wizard for each structure
- Documents built from your own answers
- Download as PDF or Word
Every structure has its own paperwork
Each structure has its own registrar, its own forms and its own governing document. Generic templates rarely reflect how your organisation will actually work, and the gaps tend to surface later, when a funder reads your governing document.
- Different registrars: Companies House, the CIC Regulator, the Charity Commission, the FCA or HMRC.
- Different governing documents: articles of association, a CIO constitution, society rules or a club constitution.
- Different timelines, from about a day for an ordinary company to 6 to 12 weeks for a CIO.
What the incorporation wizards do
One wizard per structure
Guided forms for CICs limited by shares or by guarantee, CIOs, charitable companies, community benefit societies, co-operative societies, impact-led companies and CASCs.
Hybrid and two-organisation setups
Forming a charity with a trading subsidiary, or a CIC alongside a charity? The hybrid packs add the agreements and decisions that link the two organisations.
Help with the wording
Improve wording buttons tidy text you have written, such as a community interest statement. AI never decides anything, and every suggestion lands in a field you can edit.
See what is still missing
An outstanding items list shows which answers your documents still need, so nothing is left blank by accident.
Clear about review status
Every document shows whether a professional has checked its template. Ours are awaiting solicitor review, and booking a review through Seghu is coming soon.
How incorporation works
- 01
Start from your structure
Begin with the structure your assessment recommended, or the one your Structure Review suggested adding.
- 02
Work through the guided steps
Short steps cover your name, purpose, people, governance and money. Your progress is saved, so you can come back to it.
- 03
Generate, check and file
Generate your documents, preview them and download them as PDF or Word. You file them with the registrar yourself, and filing fees are paid directly to the regulator.
New organisation or existing one
Most founders use the wizards to form their first organisation. Organisations that are already registered use them to set up a second organisation their Structure Review recommends.
Forming a new organisation
For founders who are not yet registered and want the right documents from day one.
- A wizard for each UK social enterprise structure
- Formation documents built from your answers
- Hybrid packs for two-organisation setups
Adding to an existing organisation
For registered organisations whose Structure Review suggests a second entity, such as a trading subsidiary.
- Set up a second organisation alongside the one you have
- Your existing registration stays exactly as it is
- A next steps checklist if your review recommends converting
What you get
- Articles of association and a memorandum for company structures
- Form IN01 details and a CIC36 community interest statement for a CIC
- A CIO constitution and trustee declarations for a charity
- Model rules and FCA registration notes for a co-operative or community benefit society
- A club constitution and membership rules for a CASC
- Linking documents for hybrid setups, such as a brand licence and services agreement
- Notes on what you are filing, with which regulator, and how long it usually takes
Frequently asked questions
How do I set up a CIC?
A CIC is registered at Companies House, which passes the application to the CIC Regulator. You need articles of association with an asset lock, the incorporation details on form IN01, and a CIC36 community interest statement explaining who the company will benefit. Registration usually takes 3 to 5 working days online.
How do I register a CIO?
A charitable incorporated organisation is registered through the Charity Commission's online application. You need a constitution using the Association or Foundation model, trustee declarations, and evidence of your charitable purposes and public benefit. The Commission's review usually takes 6 to 12 weeks.
How do I register a community benefit society?
Community benefit societies and co-operative societies register with the Financial Conduct Authority. You need a set of rules, often based on a sponsoring body's model rules, and registration usually takes 4 to 8 weeks. Seghu prepares draft rules and registration notes from your answers.
How much does an incorporation document pack cost?
Packs cost £199 to £499 depending on the structure, for example £249 for a CIC limited by guarantee and £299 for a CIO. The £25 you paid to see your assessment result comes off the pack. Registrar filing fees are paid directly to the regulator and are not included.
Have the templates been checked by a solicitor?
Not yet. Every template is marked as awaiting professional review, and each document says so. Booking a solicitor review through Seghu is coming soon. For now you can contact our legal partners directly, and a professional review before you file is a good idea.
Does Seghu file the documents for me?
No. You download your documents and file them with the registrar yourself. Nothing is filed, submitted or signed on your behalf.
Keep exploring
- Structure AssessmentCIC or charity? CIO, CBS or co-op? Seghu's structure assessment ranks the 8 main UK social enterprise structures against your mission and funding plans.
- GovernanceUnderstand who regulates your CIC, charity or society, what you file each year and your key duties. Generate your governance and filing documents with Seghu.
- FundingSee which grants, loans, social investment and community shares fit your structure, check your funding readiness and get matched to 144 UK funders.
Form your organisation with the right documents
Choose your structure, work through the guided steps and get formation documents written from your own answers.
Start your journey