Yes. Most Companies House filing mistakes can be corrected, but the method depends on what went wrong, which document was filed, and whether the mistake concerns information that should be replaced, amended, or removed. A simple typo is not always treated the same way as an incorrect director appointment date, inaccurate share information, or accounts containing an accounting error. In some cases, you may need to file a replacement document; in others, you may need to submit amended accounts, file a new form, or contact Companies House directly.

The important point is not to ignore the mistake. Information on the Companies House register can affect banks, investors, suppliers, customers, accountants and anyone carrying out due diligence on your company. This guide explains how to identify the right correction route, what happens to the original filing, and what company directors should do when they discover an error.

What Counts as a Companies House Filing Mistake?

A filing mistake occurs when information submitted to Companies House is incorrect, incomplete or does not accurately reflect the company's circumstances. Common examples include:

• An incorrect director appointment date
• A misspelled director's name
• An incorrect date of birth
• The wrong registered office details
• Incorrect shareholder information
• An incorrect statement of capital
• A mistake in a confirmation statement
• Incorrect information about a person with significant control (PSC)
• Errors in an allotment of shares
• Accounts containing an accounting or reporting error
• A document submitted with missing information

Companies House has a specific process for replacing certain documents that contain errors or missing information. The current guidance confirms that replacement filings can generally be used for documents delivered on or after 1 October 2009. However, you should not simply submit the same form again and assume the second filing will overwrite the first one. The correct correction procedure matters.

Can You Simply File the Correct Information Again?

Usually, no. Companies House maintains a filing history rather than operating like a database where an incorrect document can simply be deleted and replaced without explanation. If an accepted filing contains an error, the appropriate correction mechanism normally identifies the original document and supplies the corrected information. For example, if you filed an AP01 to appoint a director and entered the wrong appointment date, you may need to use the replacement filing process rather than submitting an unrelated AP01.

Companies House specifically states that replacement documents should match the company details and relevant information shown on the register. Differences in details such as company number, company name or appointment date can result in the replacement filing being rejected. This is why the first step should always be to look at the company's existing filing history and establish exactly what was submitted.

How to Correct a Companies House Filing Mistake

The process can be broken into five practical steps.

1. Identify the Original Filing

Start by searching for your company on the Companies House register. Check:

• Company name
• Company number
• Filing date
• Filing type
• Description of the filing
• Information that is incorrect

Download or view the original document where necessary. This matters because the correction process generally needs to refer to the original filing accurately. For example, you might discover that what you thought was a simple director-information problem actually originated in the company's incorporation filing.

2. Determine What Type of Error You Made

Not every mistake has the same solution. Ask:

Is the filing itself incorrect?

If so, a replacement document may be required.

Are the company's current details simply out of date?

You may need to file the appropriate change notification rather than a correction.

Are the statutory accounts wrong?

You may need to prepare and submit amended accounts.

Was information filed without authorisation or does it record a transaction that never happened?

That is a different situation and may require Companies House to investigate or remove information. Companies House says it can remove information from the register in certain circumstances, including where information is false or misleading, a document was filed without the company's knowledge or authorisation, or a document records a transaction that never occurred.

3. Use the Correct Correction Route

For many ordinary filing errors, the relevant procedure is a replacement filing. Companies House refers to form RP01, "Replacement of document not meeting requirements for proper delivery". Depending on the original filing, the replacement document could be an appropriate form such as:

• AP01 for an individual director appointment
• PSC01 for an individual person with significant control
• CS01 for certain confirmation statement corrections
• SH01 for an allotment of shares

Companies House currently allows online replacement filings for several of these document types through WebFiling. The important principle is simple: replace the incorrect filing with the correct version using the prescribed process.

4. Check Every Detail Before Resubmitting

A correction is not the place to rush. Compare the replacement document against the company's Companies House record. Pay particular attention to:

• Company number
• Company name
• Dates
• Names
• Addresses
• Share information
• Officer information
• PSC information
• Appointment and resignation dates

Companies House specifically warns that information across the replacement application needs to match. Inconsistencies can cause the filing to be rejected.

5. Check the Register Again

After submitting the correction, monitor the company's filing history. Do not assume that submitting the document means the register has already been corrected. Once processed, check that:

1. The correction has been accepted.
2. The relevant information now appears correctly.
3. The filing history reflects the correction.
4. Any related information is consistent.

For important matters, keep copies of the original filing, replacement filing and confirmation of acceptance with your company records.

How to Correct Common Companies House Mistakes

Correcting a Director's Information

Director information is one of the areas where mistakes can have practical consequences. For example, suppose a company appointed Jane Smith as a director but accidentally submitted the wrong appointment date. The company should not simply file a new appointment as though Jane were being appointed for the first time. Instead, it should follow the appropriate correction process for the original appointment filing. Companies House specifically provides an online replacement process for certain AP01 filings.

Incorrect date of birth

Date-of-birth errors deserve particular attention. Companies House introduced specific guidance for correcting the date of birth of a director or PSC. Depending on how the person was originally registered, the correction may involve replacing the original filing or, for certain historical appointments, using a different procedure.

This has become increasingly important because identity verification requirements rely on accurate information. Companies House currently warns that correcting such information may take up to 20 working days in some circumstances because of processing demand.

What If Your Confirmation Statement Contains an Error?

A confirmation statement, normally filed using CS01, confirms that the information held by Companies House about the company is up to date. If the statement contains incorrect shareholder or statement-of-capital information, the correction route may involve replacing the relevant filing.

Companies House's current RP01 guidance specifically identifies confirmation statements containing incorrect statement-of-capital or shareholder information as documents that can be replaced online. This is one reason companies should review their confirmation statement carefully before submission. A confirmation statement is not merely an administrative formality. It can confirm information about the company's ownership and structure that third parties rely upon.

What If the Mistake Is in Your Annual Accounts?

Accounts are slightly different. If your statutory accounts contain an error, you may need to file amended or corrected accounts. Companies House states that amended accounts must relate to the same accounting period as the original accounts. If filing amended accounts on paper, they should clearly state that they replace the original accounts and are now the statutory accounts.

The original accounts do not simply disappear from the public record. This distinction is important. Correcting accounts is not the same thing as pretending the original filing never existed. If the accounting error could affect corporation tax, tax computations or other tax obligations, you should also consider whether action is required with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Companies House filing corrections and tax-return corrections are separate matters.

What If You Filed the Wrong Information Completely?

Sometimes the problem is more serious than a typo. Consider this example: A company files a document showing that shares were allotted to a person, but the transaction never actually happened. That is not necessarily a routine correction.

Companies House has specific powers and procedures concerning information that should never have been delivered to the register. Its guidance states that it may remove information where, for example, a document records a transaction that never occurred or was filed without the company's knowledge or authorisation. In these circumstances, gather supporting evidence and contact Companies House rather than trying to solve the problem by submitting random replacement forms.

Will Companies House Reject a Correction?

It can. A correction filing can be rejected if it does not satisfy the requirements or if the information does not match the company's record. For example, Companies House specifically warns that replacement applications can be rejected when important details such as the company name, company number or appointment date do not match the register. Other potential problems include:

• Using the wrong correction form
• Providing incomplete information
• Incorrect company details
• Mismatched dates
• Missing supporting documentation
• Using an inappropriate filing method
• Failing to follow protected filing requirements

If a correction is rejected, read the rejection message carefully. It will often indicate what needs to be corrected before resubmission.

Does a Filing Correction Remove the Original Filing?

Generally, you should not expect the original filing simply to vanish. Companies House's correction system is designed to maintain a transparent public record. For example, when statutory accounts are amended, the original accounts remain on file.

This is an important distinction for entrepreneurs carrying out due diligence. A company with a corrected filing history is not necessarily a company with a problem. Errors happen. What matters is whether they were identified and properly corrected. In fact, a transparent correction can be preferable to leaving inaccurate information on the public register.

What Happens If You Do Nothing?

Ignoring an error can create larger problems later. An incorrect filing could affect:

• Bank account applications
• Business lending
• Investor due diligence
• Share transfers
• Corporate transactions
• Acquisition discussions
• Director verification
• Accountant records
• Supplier checks
• Legal documentation

For example, imagine your company's internal shareholder register says one person owns 60% of the company, while Companies House shows a different ownership position. A prospective investor may question the discrepancy. The underlying business may be perfectly legitimate, but the mismatch creates unnecessary work and can slow down a transaction. For that reason, accuracy on Companies House should be treated as part of good corporate housekeeping, not simply compliance paperwork.

How Long Does a Filing Correction Take?

Processing times vary depending on the filing type and the method used. Online filing is generally preferable where the relevant service is available, particularly because Companies House advises that paper submissions can take longer for certain correction procedures.

Some specific corrections can take considerably longer. For example, Companies House currently says certain date-of-birth corrections may take up to 20 working days to process. If the correction is urgent, for example, because a bank, investor or legal transaction is waiting for the information allow sufficient time rather than assuming the register will update immediately.

A Practical Filing Correction Checklist

Before submitting a correction, work through this checklist:

Identify

• What information is wrong?
• Which filing created the error?
• When was it filed?
• What is the company number?

Verify

• Check the Companies House filing history.
• Download the original document.
• Confirm what the register currently says.

Select

• Determine whether you need a replacement filing.
• Check whether amended accounts are required.
• Establish whether a new change notification is more appropriate.
• Contact Companies House if the matter involves an unauthorised or fictitious transaction.

Prepare

• Use the correct form.
• Enter the information exactly as it should appear.
• Make sure names and dates are consistent.
• Include supporting documents where required.

Review

• Compare the correction with the original filing.
• Check every date.
• Check the company number.
• Check officer and shareholder information.

Submit and monitor

• File through the appropriate Companies House service.
• Keep proof of submission.
• Check the filing status.
• Review the public register after processing.

How to Prevent Companies House Filing Errors

The cheapest filing mistake is the one you prevent. Before submitting any Companies House document, have someone perform a second-person review where practical. For significant transactions, create a simple four-point verification process:

1. Source — What legal or business event are you reporting?

2. Evidence — What document confirms it?

3. Filing — Which Companies House form reports it?

4. Register — Does the completed filing match what should appear publicly?

This is particularly useful when a company has multiple directors, shareholders or advisers. For growing businesses, maintaining a corporate compliance calendar can also prevent mistakes caused by rushed filings close to statutory deadlines.

Should You Correct a Companies House Filing Yourself or Use an Accountant?

Simple administrative errors can often be corrected directly by a company director or authorised filer. However, professional advice may be sensible where the mistake involves:

• Share ownership
• Share capital
• Complex group structures
• Historical filings
• Accounts
• PSC information
• Corporate transactions
• Disputes between shareholders
• Unauthorised filings
• Potential legal consequences

The objective is not merely to get a form accepted. It is to ensure that the public record accurately reflects the company's legal position. For international founders, this distinction is especially important. A UK company formation and management platform such as IncorpUK can help founders navigate routine company administration, while complex accounting or legal issues may still require an accountant or solicitor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I correct a mistake after Companies House has accepted my filing?

Yes. An accepted filing containing incorrect information can often be corrected through a replacement filing or another prescribed procedure, depending on the document involved.

Can I delete an incorrect Companies House filing?

Not usually in the simple sense of deleting it from history. Companies House maintains a public filing record. Depending on the circumstances, you may need to replace the document, submit amended accounts or request removal where the information should never have been registered.

What is form RP01 used for?

RP01 is used to replace certain documents previously delivered to Companies House that contained errors, missing information or did not meet requirements for proper delivery. The replacement document must accompany the RP01.

Can I correct a director's date of birth?

Yes. Companies House has a specific correction process for incorrect dates of birth for directors and PSCs. The appropriate procedure depends on how and when the individual was originally registered.

What if my company accounts contain an error?

You may be able to submit amended accounts for the same accounting period as the original accounts. The original accounts remain on file, while the amended accounts are identified as replacing them.

Will a correction affect my company's reputation?

A properly corrected filing is not automatically a negative sign. Businesses make administrative errors. From a due-diligence perspective, an accurate and transparent correction is generally preferable to leaving incorrect information on the public register.

Can Companies House reject my correction?

Yes. A correction can be rejected if it is incomplete, uses the wrong procedure or contains information that does not match the company's existing record.

How quickly will Companies House process a correction?

It depends on the filing and submission method. Some corrections can take longer than ordinary online filings. Companies House currently states that certain date-of-birth corrections may take up to 20 working days.

Conclusion

Yes, you can usually correct a Companies House filing mistake, but the right solution depends on the nature of the error. For a document containing incorrect or missing information, a replacement filing may be appropriate. For incorrect statutory accounts, amended accounts may be required. Where information was filed without authorisation or relates to a transaction that never happened, a different process may apply.

The safest approach is straightforward: identify the original filing, understand exactly what is wrong, use the correct Companies House correction procedure, and verify the register after the correction has been processed.

Most importantly, don't leave an obvious error sitting on the public record. Companies House information is used far beyond compliance. Banks, investors, accountants, suppliers and potential buyers may rely on it when assessing your business. A carefully corrected filing protects the accuracy of your company's record and, in turn, helps protect the credibility of the business itself.