If you run a limited company, you will deal with Companies House regularly. This guide explains what Companies House does, what information it holds, and the main obligations company directors have.
What Companies House does
Companies House is the UK registrar of companies. It:
- incorporates and dissolves limited companies
- examines and stores information filed under the Companies Act
- makes company information available to the public on the register
In practice, most directors use the online service to file updates, view deadlines, and download documents.
If you are a sole trader, you do not need to register with Companies House. Sole traders deal with HMRC for tax only.
What information is on the public record
The register contains key facts about every company, including:
- company name, number, status and registered office address
- filing history and key dates
- directors and, where appointed, secretaries
- share capital, shareholders and share classes for companies limited by shares
- confirmation statement and accounts
Some personal details are not shown publicly. For example, only the month and year of birth appear for directors. You can use a service address so your home address is not listed. See our guides to the registered office address and the service address.
Company obligations
Every company must:
- keep accounting records and file annual accounts with Companies House
- file a yearly Confirmation Statement and keep People with Significant Control information up to date
- notify Companies House promptly about changes such as directors, share capital and registered office
If you are a sole trader, you do not register with Companies House. Sole traders deal with HMRC for tax only.
Setting up a company
The first interaction with Companies House is the incorporation process. You submit form IN01 with a Memorandum and Articles of Association. Most companies complete this online and are registered within 24 hours.
For a step-by-step overview, see how to set up a limited company, plus our deep dives on the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association. If you need help choosing a name, read our company naming rules guide.
How filing works
Most updates are filed online using the Companies House service. Paper forms still exist, but they are used less frequently. When you file online, you will need your company authentication code, which acts like a password for the company.
Common filings include:
- appointing or terminating a director and updating director details
- changing the registered office address
- updating the company’s accounting reference date
- issuing new shares or changing share classes
- filing special resolutions and certain shareholder decisions
Accounts and deadlines
Directors are responsible for filing accounts on time. Your first accounts deadline is normally 21 months from the date of incorporation. After that, accounts are usually due 9 months after the company’s year-end.
Late filing triggers an automatic penalty, and the fines increase the longer the delay. Repeated failures can lead to prosecution for officers. Read more in our annual accounts guide.
Confirmation Statement
The Confirmation Statement provides a snapshot of the company at a point in time. It confirms details such as directors, registered office, share capital and PSC information.
It must be filed every year, even if nothing has changed. See our Confirmation Statement guide.
People with Significant Control
Companies must identify and keep records of individuals or entities that have significant control, usually through ownership of shares or voting rights. The PSC information forms part of the Confirmation Statement.
Our guide explains the essentials and the filing requirements: PSC and Confirmation Statement.
Keeping addresses private
You can keep your home address off the public record by using a service address for officers and a separate registered office address for the company. Many directors use their accountant’s address or a mail handling service.
Name changes and rebranding
You must notify Companies House if you change your company name. Be careful to check for restricted or sensitive words and for conflicts with existing names. See our naming rules before you file.
Strike off and dissolution
Companies House maintains the register and handles strike off applications. A company can apply to be struck off the register if it has stopped trading and meets the conditions. Creditors or other interested parties can object. If a company fails to meet its filing duties, the Registrar can also begin strike off action.
What happens if you do not follow the rules
If information is not filed accurately and on time, the company and its officers can face penalties. Directors are legally responsible for meeting filing duties even if an agent or accountant handles submissions.
- Late accounts result in an automatic penalty, with higher fines for longer delays
- Persistent non compliance risks prosecution for officers and potential strike off
Companies House filings are separate from HMRC obligations. You must also file a Corporation Tax return to HMRC if you have profits or taxable income. See our Corporation Tax guide.
Directors’ responsibilities at a glance
- track filing deadlines for accounts and the Confirmation Statement
- keep statutory information accurate and up to date
- use a service address if you do not want your home address on the public record
- work with a competent accountant, but remember responsibility sits with the directors