How to Register a Charity with the Charity Commission in the UK

Starting a charity is one of the most rewarding ways to make a lasting difference in your community but it also requires careful planning, clear objectives, and full compliance with UK charity law.

Before you can begin fundraising or delivering your charitable work, you’ll need to understand how charities are regulated across the UK. In England and Wales, charities are overseen by the Charity Commission; in Scotland, by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR); and in Northern Ireland, by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Each regulator has its own registration process and ongoing compliance requirements.

This comprehensive guide from Formations Wise explains how to register a charity in the UK – from defining your charitable purpose and choosing the right structure to completing your Charity Commission application and meeting your legal obligations as trustees.

1. Understand What Qualifies as a Charity

In the UK, an organisation can only be registered as a charity if it meets the legal definition set out in the Charities Act 2011. To qualify, your organisation must satisfy two key criteria:

• Be established for charitable purposes only: These include causes such as relieving poverty, advancing education, promoting health, protecting the environment, or supporting the arts, culture, and heritage.
• Provide a demonstrable public benefit: The charity’s work must be for the benefit of the public, not private individuals or shareholders.

The Charity Commission recognises 13 official charitable purposes, ranging from the relief of those in need to the advancement of animal welfare and human rights. You can review the full list and criteria in the Charity Commission’s guidance on what makes a charity.

Formations Wise tip: When defining your charity’s purpose, avoid objectives that could be seen as political, commercial, or profit-driven – these are unlikely to meet the legal test for charitable status.

2. Choose the Right Legal Structure for Your Charity

Before registering, it’s important to decide how your charity will be legally structured. Your choice affects how your organisation is managed, reported, and protected under UK law. The main charity structures are:

• Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO): A modern and popular option that gives your charity a legal personality and limited liability for its trustees. CIOs are registered and regulated solely by the Charity Commission.
• Charitable Company (Limited by Guarantee): This structure requires dual registration with both Companies House and the Charity Commission. It provides limited liability but involves more complex reporting requirements.
• Unincorporated Association: Typically used by small, volunteer-run charities. It does not have its own legal personality, meaning members or trustees may be personally liable for the charity’s obligations.
• Trust: A traditional structure governed by a trust deed and managed by trustees. Common for grant-making or family-founded charities.

Each structure has distinct responsibilities regarding governance, financial reporting, and trustee liability. Understanding these differences early helps you choose a framework that fits your charity’s size, purpose, and long-term goals.

For a detailed comparison, visit the official GOV.UK guide to charity structures.

Formations Wise tip: Many new charities start as a CIO because it offers the credibility and protection of incorporation without the added complexity of managing both a company and a charity.

3. Prepare Your Governing Document

Your governing document is the legal foundation of your charity. It defines how your organisation is run and ensures compliance with the Charities Act 2011. Depending on your chosen structure, this document may be called a constitution, trust deed, or articles of association.

Every governing document should clearly set out:

• The charity’s name and charitable objectives
• How trustees are appointed, replaced, or removed
• Rules for meetings, decision-making, and financial management
• Procedures for amending the governing document or winding up the charity

The Charity Commission’s model governing document library provides downloadable templates tailored to different charity structures, including CIOs, charitable companies, and trusts. Using these models helps ensure your document meets the Commission’s legal and operational standards.

Formations Wise tip: Draft your charitable purposes with precision and make sure they align exactly with the recognised categories in the Charities Act. Ambiguous or overly broad wording is one of the most common reasons applications are delayed or rejected.

4. Appoint Trustees

Every charity in the UK must appoint at least three independent trustees who take legal responsibility for the charity’s governance and compliance. Trustees ensure that the charity is run in accordance with its governing document, charity law, and the public interest.

To be eligible, trustees must:

• Be over 16 years old for a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) or 18 years old for other charity structures.
• Be fit and proper persons – meaning they have not been disqualified under the Charities Act 2011 or for reasons such as bankruptcy, criminal convictions involving dishonesty, or removal from another charity role.
• Understand and formally accept their legal duties and responsibilities.

Before accepting the role, all trustees should read the Charity Commission’s official guidance: The Essential Trustee (CC3). This document outlines what is expected of trustees, including decision-making standards, financial oversight, and reporting obligations.

Formations Wise tip: Build a diverse board with trustees who bring complementary expertise – for example, skills in finance, legal compliance, governance, communications, and fundraising. A well-rounded board strengthens your charity’s credibility and long-term sustainability.

5. Choose a Charity Name and Check Availability

Your charity’s name is a key part of its identity and credibility. It must be unique, truthful, and appropriate – avoiding any wording that could be misleading, offensive, or confusingly similar to another registered charity or business.

Before you apply, it’s important to verify that your chosen name is available and compliant:

• Search the Charity Commission register of charities to make sure your proposed name isn’t already in use or too similar to an existing organisation.
• If you’re setting up a charitable company, also check the Companies House name availability checker to prevent registration conflicts.
• Consider whether your name could infringe on registered trademarks, especially if you plan to fundraise or operate publicly under that name.

Choosing a distinctive and legally sound name will help your charity stand out, build public trust, and avoid delays in registration.

Formations Wise tip: Secure a matching domain name and professional email address early on. Consistent branding across your website, email, and social media helps reinforce credibility with donors, funders, and regulators.