Companies House is designed to make UK company information publicly accessible. That transparency is useful for customers, investors, lenders, suppliers and anyone carrying out due diligence on a business. But it can create a problem when incorrect, sensitive or unnecessarily exposed personal information appears on the public register.

So, can you remove information from Companies House? Sometimes. Companies House does not generally allow companies or individuals to simply delete information because they no longer want it displayed. However, there are specific legal routes for correcting inaccurate filings, removing information that should never have been filed, suppressing certain personal details, and protecting information where there is a serious risk of violence or intimidation.

The important distinction is between removing information, correcting information, and protecting information. Each has a different process and eligibility test. This guide explains what can be removed, what normally cannot, and what company directors, shareholders, PSCs and overseas founders should do if they discover information they do not want publicly available.

What Information Does Companies House Hold?

Companies House maintains the public register of UK companies and related corporate information. Depending on the company and the documents filed, the register can contain information such as:

• Company name and registration number
• Registered office address
• Directors and company secretaries
• Certain director information
• Persons with significant control (PSCs)
• Shareholders and shareholdings
• Confirmation statements
• Annual accounts
• Charges and mortgages
• Changes to company information
• Incorporation documents
• Certain historical filings

Much of this information is deliberately public. Companies House is legally required to make company information available for public inspection. This means the normal data-protection concept of simply asking an organisation to delete your information does not automatically apply. Companies House explains that it has specific legal obligations under company law to collect and publish information, and therefore the ordinary UK GDPR right to erasure does not provide a general route to deleting Companies House records.

That is why the question should not simply be, "Can I delete this?" Instead, ask: Is the information inaccurate, unlawfully filed, eligible for suppression, or legitimately protected? That determines what you can do next.

When Can Information Be Removed from Companies House?

There are several situations in which Companies House can remove or suppress information.

1. The information is false or misleading

Companies House has powers to remove information where it is satisfied that information contained in a document is false or misleading. It can also deal with filings that were submitted without the company's knowledge or authorisation, or documents recording transactions that never actually occurred. For example, suppose someone fraudulently files a document claiming that a director has resigned when the director has not resigned.

That is fundamentally different from a legitimate filing that the director later regrets. The first may provide grounds for intervention; the second normally does not. Companies House may ask for supporting evidence, so the stronger your evidence, the easier it is for the registrar to understand what happened.

2. A filing was made without the company's authority

Unauthorised filings are another important category. Imagine a third party gains access to a company's authentication code and submits a change of director or registered office without permission. The company should contact Companies House and explain that the filing was unauthorised, providing as much evidence as possible. Companies House specifically advises people to contact it where a filing relating to their company has been made without authority. This is one reason businesses should treat their Companies House authentication code as highly sensitive.

3. A transaction recorded in a filing never happened

A filing may sometimes purport to record a transaction that did not actually occur. For example, a document might record a share transaction when the transaction never took place. In these circumstances, Companies House can consider whether the information should be removed. The key issue is not simply whether the filing is inconvenient. There needs to be a substantive reason why the information should not remain on the register.

Can You Remove Your Home Address?

Yes, in certain circumstances. This is one of the most common reasons individuals ask whether CompaniesHouse information can be removed. Companies House allows applications to remove certain personal details, including a home address that appears in qualifying circumstances. For example, a director may have accidentally used their home address as a correspondence address or in another filing.

If the home address is currently being used as the company's registered office, however, the situation is different. For an active company, the registered office must first be changed before you can apply to remove the old home address from qualifying records. This is an important practical point for founders who initially registered their company from home. Changing the registered office does not automatically erase every historical reference to the old address. You may need to make a separate application to suppress eligible personal information from documents already on the register.

Can You Remove a Director's Date of Birth?

There are limited circumstances in which part of a date of birth can be removed. Companies House generally publishes only the month and year of a director's date of birth rather than the full date. However, Companies House now provides a process for removing the day of a date of birth where it was included in documents filed before 10 October 2015. This is a targeted removal process rather than a general ability to hide a director's date of birth.

Can You Remove a Signature?

Certain signatures can also be removed from Companies House documents. Companies House guidance confirms that individuals can apply to remove signatures from qualifying documents. This process does not extend to every type of document or every instance where a name or signature appears.

For example, a printed name is treated differently from a handwritten or qualifying signature. If the concern relates to an old document, it is worth identifying exactly which document contains the information before submitting an application.

Can You Remove a Business Occupation?

Under the current rules, it is possible to apply to remove a business occupation where providing that occupation was a requirement of the filing. For example, this can apply to certain historical director appointment information. Companies House introduced the ability to apply for removal of qualifying business occupations, signatures and the day of birth in July 2025.

How Much Does It Cost?

Companies House currently charges £34 for each document listed in an application to remove qualifying personal details. This is particularly important if your personal information appears across multiple historical filings. For example, if your home address appears on five eligible documents, the cost may be calculated by reference to each document rather than treating the entire request as one universal deletion. Before applying, identify the documents containing the information you want removed.

What If the Information Is Simply Wrong?

An incorrect filing should not necessarily be treated as a personal-data removal request. If the information is wrong, the appropriate solution may be to correct the company's record. For example:

A company files the wrong registered office address.

The objective is not necessarily to delete the company's filing history. Instead, the company should submit the appropriate change so the current register reflects the correct address. Similarly, if a director's information was entered incorrectly, the company may need to file the appropriate correction or replacement information. This distinction matters because Companies House maintains a historical record of company activity. A later filing does not necessarily mean the original historical document disappears.

Can You Delete a Companies House Filing Because You Made a Mistake?

Not automatically. A common misconception is that a company can simply ask Companies House to delete a filing because someone entered the wrong information. Companies House has specific powers and procedures. Its removal guidance focuses on information that is false or misleading, unauthorised, or records a transaction that never happened.

If you made a genuine administrative mistake, the solution may instead be to submit a corrective filing. For instance, if you accidentally enter the wrong number of shares, you should not assume that the original filing will simply disappear. The appropriate correction depends on the filing involved and the nature of the error.

A Practical Example

Suppose a startup issues 10,000 shares to a new investor. The company accidentally files information suggesting that 100,000 shares were issued. The mistake is discovered two weeks later. The founders should not assume they can ask Companies House to erase the filing simply because it was wrong. Instead, they should establish:

1. What was actually approved?
2. What documents were signed?
3. What was entered on the register?
4. What filing was submitted?
5. Whether the transaction itself occurred?
6. What corrective filing or Companies House procedure applies?

For material shareholding or capital errors, professional advice can be worthwhile because the Companies House filing should reflect the underlying legal position.

What About Removing Information for Privacy Reasons?

Privacy alone does not usually mean that information can be deleted. Companies House has a statutory transparency function, and information required by company law is generally intended to remain available. However, there are special protections for people who face a serious risk of violence or intimidation because of their company's activities.

Directors, LLP members and PSCs may be able to apply for protection in qualifying circumstances. Companies House gives examples including people involved in areas such as defence-related activities or certain controversial or highly traceable activities, although eligibility depends on the individual's circumstances.

The protection can cover a residential address and, for qualifying PSCs, potentially wider personal information. Importantly, this is not simply a "I don't want my address online" application. You generally need to demonstrate the relevant risk and provide evidence where possible.

What If Your Home Address Is Already on the Register?

Do not panic. First, search the Companies House record and identify exactly where the address appears. Companies House advises applicants to identify the documents containing their personal details before applying. Then consider whether the address is:

• The current registered office
• A former registered office
• A director's correspondence or service address
• An address appearing on an older filing
• An address contained in another document

The answer affects the process. For example, a former registered office address may now qualify for suppression in circumstances where previously the options were more limited. Companies House updated its guidance in January 2025 to allow applications concerning certain former registered office addresses.

What Happens to Information After Removal?

Removal does not necessarily mean that every copy of the information disappears from the internet. Companies House may remove or suppress information from its own public register or publicly available documents, but third-party websites may have copied historical Companies House data. Companies House states that third parties are responsible for the information they hold and that the registrar does not control those external databases.

This creates a practical challenge for founders. If your old address appears on a company-information website, removing it from Companies House does not necessarily guarantee immediate removal from that third-party website. You may need to contact the third party separately.

How to Request Removal of Personal Information

For qualifying personal information, an individual can use the relevant Companies House application process. The SR01 process can be used to apply to remove qualifying personal details from the public register. Companies House's current guidance covers home addresses, signatures, the day of birth and business occupation. The application needs to be completed accurately and accompanied by the required fee and evidence where applicable.

Companies House states that incorrect sections or failure to pay the correct fee can result in rejection of the application. For companies or individuals seeking protection because of a serious risk of violence or intimidation, a different protection process applies. As of August 2026, Companies House says its online service for applying to protect personal details has been withdrawn while new services are being developed, with applications continuing through the paper process. Because these procedures are being updated, always check the latest Companies House guidance before submitting an application.

What Information Usually Cannot Be Removed?

You should not expect Companies House to delete legitimate corporate information simply because:

• You no longer like the information
• The company has changed its business direction
• A director has left
• A shareholder has sold their shares
• The company has moved offices
• You want to make the filing history look cleaner
• The information is several years old

Companies House records are intended to provide a historical picture of a company's legal and corporate activity. For example, changing your registered office does not mean that the company never operated from its previous address. Likewise, removing a director from the current company record does not mean their historical appointment necessarily disappears. This historical transparency is an important part of corporate due diligence.

Companies House Removal vs Correction: Which Applies?

A simple framework can help.

The key lesson is that Companies House is not a normal editable database. Its records have legal significance, and the ability to remove information is deliberately restricted.

What Should Founders Do Before Filing Information?

The best time to deal with privacy concerns is before information is filed. Founders should think carefully about:

• Whether to use a professional registered office
• Which address is used for different company roles
• Who has access to the authentication code
• Whether directors or PSCs may qualify for protection
• Whether filings contain unnecessary personal information
• Whether company records are accurate before submission

This is particularly relevant to overseas founders establishing UK companies. A UK company may have directors and shareholders based in different countries, but the company's Companies House filings still need to comply with UK requirements. Planning the company's address and filing structure before incorporation can prevent a privacy problem from becoming a historical-record problem later.

IncorpUK, as a UK company formation and management platform for global founders, sits within this wider ecosystem of company administration; however, responsibility for the accuracy and legality of company filings ultimately remains with the company and its officers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I completely delete my information from Companies House?

Usually not. Companies House has statutory obligations to maintain and publish company information. Certain personal details and information that should never have been filed can be removed or suppressed in qualifying circumstances.

Can I remove my home address from Companies House?

Yes, in qualifying circumstances. If your home address was used as a correspondence or service address, or appears in another eligible filing, you may be able to apply for removal. If it is currently the company's registered office, you normally need to change the registered office first.

Can I remove an old Companies House filing?

Not simply because it is old or inconvenient. Companies House can remove information in specific circumstances, including information that is false or misleading, unauthorised filings, or records of transactions that never occurred.

Can Companies House remove incorrect information?

Potentially, but the correct procedure depends on the nature of the error. Some mistakes require a corrective filing rather than deletion of the historical document.

Can I remove my signature from Companies House?

Certain signatures on eligible documents can be removed through the relevant Companies House application process.

Can I remove my full date of birth?

Companies House already limits the date of birth information normally displayed publicly. The day of birth can be removed from certain documents filed before 10 October 2015.

Can I remove a former registered office address?

In qualifying circumstances, yes. Companies House introduced provisions allowing applications concerning certain former registered office addresses.

Does removing information from Companies House remove it from Google?

Not necessarily. Third-party websites may have copied Companies House data. Companies House does not control information held by those third parties, so you may need to approach them separately.

Can I protect my Companies House information if I am at risk?

Potentially. Directors, LLP members and PSCs who face a serious risk of violence or intimidation because of their company's activities may qualify for protection. Evidence may be required.

Conclusion

You can remove some information from Companies House, but you cannot treat the public register like a normal online profile that can be edited at will. The distinction between correction, removal and protection is crucial. If information is inaccurate, investigate the appropriate correction procedure. If a filing was fraudulent, unauthorised or records a transaction that never happened, contact Companies House with supporting evidence. If the issue is personal privacy, check whether the information qualifies for suppression or whether you meet the requirements for protection.

For founders, the bigger lesson is to think about Companies House information before it is filed. Use appropriate business addresses, review filings carefully, protect authentication credentials and understand what information becomes part of the public corporate record. Once information enters the Companies House ecosystem, correcting or suppressing it can be considerably more complicated than getting it right in the first place.