Starting and running a UK limited company comes with more than the cost of incorporation. Companies House charges fees for certain registrations, filings, certificates and company changes, and those fees can vary depending on whether you file online, by software or on paper. For founders, one of the most important changes to understand is that Companies House fees increased on 1 February 2026. Digital company incorporation increased from £50 to £100, while the digital confirmation statement fee increased from £34 to £50.

These are government filing fees. They are separate from the fees charged by accountants, company formation agents, registered office providers, legal advisers and other business service providers. This guide explains the main Companies House fees in 2026, when you have to pay them, which filings are free, and how founders can avoid confusing a Companies House fee with the total cost of running a UK company.

What Are Companies House Fees?

Companies House fees are charges for specific services provided by the UK's registrar of companies. They cover activities such as:

• Registering a new company
• Filing confirmation statements
• Changing a company name
• Voluntarily striking off a company
• Registering certain charges
• Restoring certain dissolved companies
• Ordering certified company documents
• Certain specialist registrations and applications

Companies House says its fees are reviewed regularly and that some are set through regulations while others are administratively determined. The current official fee schedule was updated on 2 July 2026. The important point is that there is no single annual Companies House fee that every company pays. Instead, companies pay fees when they use particular services. For most ordinary private limited companies, the two fees founders are most likely to encounter are:

1. The £100 digital incorporation fee when setting up the company.
2. The £50 digital confirmation statement fee during each relevant 12-month payment period.

Companies House Fees at a Glance

Here are some of the most relevant fees for ordinary UK company owners as of 2026:

Same-day incorporation is available through software, rather than the standard online incorporation route. These figures come from the current Companies House fee schedule. Fees for specialist entities and transactions can be different, so this table should not be treated as a complete list of every Companies House charge.

How Much Does It Cost to Register a Company With Companies House?

The standard digital incorporation fee is currently £100. This applies when you register a company through the Companies House online service or an applicable digital filing route. Paper incorporation costs £124. The government states that the standard online company registration service costs £100 and that companies are usually registered within 24 hours.

What Does the £100 Companies House Fee Cover?

The £100 is the government filing fee for incorporating the company. It is not necessarily the total amount a founder will spend on setting up a UK business. You may separately need to budget for services such as:

• Registered office address
• Director service address
• Professional company formation assistance
• Accounting
• Business banking support
• Legal advice
• Trademark registration
• Business insurance
• Virtual office services
• Company secretarial services

This distinction is particularly important when comparing company formation packages. If a provider advertises a package for £200, for example, that does not necessarily mean Companies House itself charges £200. The package may include the £100 government fee plus the provider's own services.

Why Did the Companies House Incorporation Fee Increase?

The digital incorporation fee increased from £50 to £100 on 1 February 2026. The government has explained that the fee changes are connected to the increased scope of Companies House and Insolvency Service activities, including work associated with the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, identity verification, enforcement and efforts to tackle misuse of the company register.

For someone forming a company for the first time, the change is significant: the government filing fee is now twice what it was before February 2026. However, compared with the wider cost of establishing and operating a business, incorporation remains a relatively modest initial expense.

How Much Is the Companies House Confirmation Statement Fee?

The online confirmation statement fee is currently £50. The paper fee is £110. Every company, including dormant and non-trading companies, must file a confirmation statement at least once every year. The statement confirms that the information held by Companies House is accurate and up to date.

Do You Pay £50 Every Time You File?

Not necessarily. This is an important detail that is often misunderstood. Companies House operates a 12-month payment period for the confirmation statement fee. You pay the annual fee with the first confirmation statement filed during that payment period. Additional confirmation statements filed within the same payment period do not normally attract another annual fee.

For example, suppose your payment period runs from January to December. If you file a confirmation statement in March and pay £50, you can file another confirmation statement later in that same payment period without paying another £50. When the next 12-month payment period begins, the fee becomes due again with the first confirmation statement you file in that new period.

What Happens If You Do Not File a Confirmation Statement?

Ignoring the confirmation statement can create much bigger costs than the £50 filing fee. Companies House can take enforcement action, and a company that fails to file its confirmation statement can ultimately be struck off the register. Companies House also states that a fine of up to £5,000 can apply for failing to file a confirmation statement. This is why the confirmation statement should be treated as a normal annual company responsibility rather than an optional administrative task.

Is There a Companies House Fee for Changing a Company Name?

Yes. The current fee for changing a company name online or through software is £20. The paper fee is £30, while a same-day company name change costs £85 through the available digital route. Before submitting the change, make sure the proposed name meets Companies House requirements. A company name change can also have consequences beyond Companies House. You may need to update:

• Website information
• Contracts
• Invoices
• Bank records
• Payment providers
• Insurance documents
• Marketing materials
• Business licences
• Tax and accounting records

The Companies House fee is therefore only one part of the practical cost of changing a company name.

How Much Does It Cost to Strike Off a Company?

If a company is no longer needed, directors may be able to apply for voluntary strike-off. The current digital fee is £13, while the paper fee is £18. This fee is significantly lower than the incorporation fee. However, voluntary strike-off is not simply a cheap way to close any company.

The company must meet the legal requirements for applying for voluntary strike-off, and directors need to deal appropriately with the company's assets, liabilities, creditors and business activities before applying. If a company is carrying on business or has unresolved obligations, simply submitting a strike-off application can create problems.

What Is the Companies House Fee for Restoring a Company?

If an eligible company has been dissolved and needs to be restored through administrative restoration, the current Companies House fee is £341. That is only the Companies House fee. The actual cost of restoration can be higher because you may also need to deal with:

• Outstanding accounts
• Confirmation statements
• Late filing penalties
• Professional accounting fees
• Legal advice
• Bona vacantia issues
• Court costs, if court restoration is required

Companies that need restoration should therefore assess the total situation rather than looking only at the £341 filing fee. If restoration by court order is required, the costs can be considerably different.

How Much Does a Certificate of Incorporation Cost?

Companies House charges £22 for a Certificate of Incorporation by post. A same-day Certificate of Incorporation costs £65. An additional certificate for the same company costs £16. This can be useful if a bank, investor, overseas authority or other organisation requires an official certificate.

Do not confuse this with the original certificate issued when your company is incorporated. If you have simply misplaced your original documents, check your company records first before ordering another copy.

What About Certified Copies of Company Documents?

Companies House charges £22 for a certified copy of a document up to 10 pages and £65 for a same-day certified copy. The document you need depends on what the recipient is asking for. For example, a bank may request:

• Certificate of Incorporation
• Articles of Association
• Confirmation statement
• Certified company documents

If certification is specifically required, an ordinary downloaded copy may not be sufficient.

Does Companies House Charge for Searching a Company?

Basic searches of the Companies House register are free. You can search for a company, view its basic information and access many documents without paying a search fee. This is useful when checking:

• Company status
• Registered office
• Directors
• PSC information
• Filing history
• Accounts
• Confirmation statements

There are charges for certain specialist products and services, but ordinary public register searches are free.

Are Companies House Fees the Same for Every Business?

No. The fee depends on the type of entity and the transaction. For example, Companies House publishes separate fee schedules for:

• Private limited companies
• LLPs
• Limited partnerships
• Overseas companies
• Community interest companies
• Register of Overseas Entities
• Scottish partnerships
• Other specialist structures

A founder should therefore avoid relying on a fee quoted for one business structure when calculating the cost of another.

Companies House Fees vs Company Formation Fees

This distinction is particularly important when choosing a formation provider. Imagine a provider advertises: "UK Company Formation – £199" That does not necessarily mean Companies House charges £199. The package might consist of:

• £100 Companies House incorporation fee
• £99 formation provider fee

The provider might then include additional services such as:

• Registered office address
• Director service address
• Document preparation
• Company management tools
• Mail scanning
• Business banking guidance
• Payment gateway guidance

Another provider might charge £300 but include significantly more services. Therefore, compare what is included, not simply the headline price.

What Other Costs Should a UK Company Founder Budget For?

Companies House fees are only one part of the cost of running a limited company. A practical startup budget may include:

Incorporation

Allow for the £100 Companies House digital incorporation fee plus any formation service fee.

Registered Office

If you do not want to use an eligible residential address or need a UK address while living abroad, you may use a registered office service.

Accounting

Depending on your company structure and activity, you may need an accountant or accounting software.

Corporation Tax

Corporation Tax is not a Companies House fee. It is a tax administered by HMRC and is calculated based on the company's taxable profits and applicable rules.

Business Banking

Some business banking services are free, while others have monthly or transaction fees.

Insurance

Depending on your business activity, different types of business insurance may be appropriate.

Professional Advice

Legal, accounting or tax advice can become a significant expense where a company has employees, international transactions, intellectual property, investors or complex ownership. This is why a company advertised as "£100 to start" should not be interpreted as costing only £100 to operate.

Companies House Fees for International Founders

For non-UK residents, the government filing fee is only one consideration. A global founder may also need:

• UK registered office support
• Director service address
• Official mail scanning
• Companies House identity verification
• Banking guidance
• Payment gateway guidance
• Accounting support
• Ongoing company administration

This is where the difference between company formation and company management becomes important. IncorpUK is positioned as a UK company formation and business infrastructure platform for global founders, combining formation with registered office support, company management resources, banking and payment gateway guidance, startup resources and AI-powered compliance and business tools. For an overseas entrepreneur, evaluating the complete support available can be more useful than comparing incorporation fees alone.

How to Reduce Unnecessary Companies House Costs

You cannot avoid statutory Companies House fees when a fee applies, but you can avoid unnecessary expenses.

File Online Where Appropriate

Digital filing is generally cheaper than paper filing. For example, the confirmation statement costs £50 online compared with £110 on paper.

File on Time

Late or missed filings can create financial and administrative consequences. A £50 annual filing fee is much easier to manage than dealing with enforcement, penalties or restoration after a company has been struck off.

Understand Your Filing

Do not submit unnecessary forms simply because you are unsure what information needs to be updated. Review the company's current Companies House record first.

Keep Company Information Up to Date

Maintain accurate records of:

• Directors
• PSCs
• Shareholders
• Registered office
• Registered email address
• SIC codes
• Share capital

Some changes need to be reported separately rather than waiting for the next confirmation statement. Companies House explains that only certain categories of information can be updated through the confirmation statement itself.

A Simple Annual Companies House Cost Example

Consider a straightforward UK private limited company that:

• Incorporates digitally in 2026
• Files one confirmation statement during its payment period
• Does not change its name
• Does not require certified documents
• Does not voluntarily strike off
• Does not need restoration

Its basic Companies House fees would be: £100 incorporation + £50 confirmation statement = £150 That does not mean £150 is the company's total annual operating cost. Accounting, tax, banking, registered office services, insurance and other business expenses are separate. The example simply demonstrates how Companies House fees work for two common transactions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to register a company with Companies House in 2026?

The standard digital incorporation fee is £100. Paper incorporation costs £124.

How much is the Companies House confirmation statement fee?

The online confirmation statement fee is £50. Filing a paper confirmation statement costs £110.

Do I have to pay Companies House every year?

There is no general annual Companies House subscription fee for every company. However, companies must file a confirmation statement at least once every year, and the applicable £50 fee is payable with the first confirmation statement in each 12-month payment period.

Is Companies House registration free?

No. The standard digital company incorporation fee is currently £100. However, searching the public Companies House register is free.

How much does it cost to change a company name?

The digital fee is currently £20. A paper application costs £30, while a same-day digital company name change costs £85.

How much does it cost to close a UK limited company?

A voluntary strike-off application currently costs £13 when filed digitally or £18 on paper. Other costs may apply depending on the company's circumstances.

How much does it cost to restore a dissolved company?

Administrative restoration currently costs £341. Additional accounting, legal, filing or asset-related costs may apply.

Does Companies House charge for a Certificate of Incorporation?

Yes, if you order a certificate from the register. A standard Certificate of Incorporation costs £22, while a same-day certificate costs £65.

Are Companies House fees included in company formation packages?

Sometimes. It depends on the provider. Always check whether the advertised price includes the government Companies House fee or whether it is added separately.

Why did Companies House fees increase in 2026?

Fees increased from 1 February 2026 as Companies House expanded its regulatory, identity verification, enforcement and other responsibilities under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.

Conclusion

Understanding Companies House fees is much easier once you stop thinking of them as one fixed cost. For most entrepreneurs, the most important 2026 figures are straightforward: £100 to incorporate a company digitally, £50 for an online confirmation statement, £20 to change a company name online, £13 for a digital voluntary strike-off application and £22 for a standard Certificate of Incorporation ordered from Companies House.

But these government charges are only part of the real cost of owning and managing a UK company. A founder may also need to budget for accounting, tax compliance, registered office services, banking, insurance, professional advice and other business infrastructure. For international entrepreneurs, this distinction is particularly important. The cheapest incorporation option is not always the most practical if you also need help managing a UK company from overseas.

The best approach is to understand which Companies House fees actually apply to your company, when they become due, and what additional services you need to operate the business properly. Most importantly, check the official Companies House fee schedule before making an important filing. Fees can change, and the current government guidance remains the most reliable source for the amount payable at the time you submit your application.