Companies House WebFiling Guide: How to File Company Information Online

Ryan Patrick

Aug 20, 2026 • 11 min read

Running a UK limited company involves more than registering the business. Once your company is incorporated, you have continuing responsibilities to keep its Companies House information accurate and file documents by the relevant deadlines. For many companies, Companies House WebFiling is one of the main online tools used to meet those obligations.

WebFiling allows companies and authorised presenters to submit a range of statutory information electronically, including confirmation statements, certain accounts, director and secretary changes, registered office changes, company name changes and other filings. For founders managing a company themselves, particularly those operating remotely, understanding how WebFiling works can make company administration considerably easier.

This guide explains what Companies House WebFiling is, how to register, how the authentication code works, what you can file, what has changed with the newer Companies House services, and the mistakes to avoid.

What Is Companies House WebFiling?

Companies House WebFiling is an online service for submitting company information electronically to Companies House. Instead of completing a paper form and posting it, eligible companies can use WebFiling to submit various statutory filings online. The service can be used for tasks such as:

Filing confirmation statements
Filing certain company accounts
Updating directors and company secretaries
Changing a registered office address
Changing a company name
Updating share capital
Filing information about People with Significant Control (PSCs)
Changing an accounting reference date
Filing certain charges and other company information

Companies House describes digital filing as easier and quicker than paper filing, although not every type of filing is handled through WebFiling. One important point for 2026 is that Companies House is developing newer online filing services. Some accounts can now be filed through the newer Find and update company information service, while WebFiling remains available for other types of company filings. So, "WebFiling" should not be interpreted as meaning that every Companies House filing must now be completed through one single website.

Who Can Use Companies House WebFiling?

WebFiling can generally be used by companies with eligible company numbers, including many UK limited companies and certain LLPs. Companies that are dissolved, converted or closed cannot use the service. There are also specific restrictions for certain complex filings. For a typical private limited company, WebFiling can be a practical way to manage routine statutory filings without relying on an accountant for every administrative change.

However, the director remains responsible for ensuring that information filed on behalf of the company is accurate. Using an online service does not transfer the company's legal responsibilities to Companies House.

What Do You Need to Use WebFiling?

Before you start, have the following information available:

Your company number
A registered email address
Your WebFiling login details
Your company's authentication code
The information or documents you need to file
A payment method if the filing has a fee

The company authentication code is particularly important. Companies House describes the authentication code as a six-character alphanumeric code used to authorise online filings. It functions in a similar way to a company officer's electronic signature.

What Is the Companies House Authentication Code?

The authentication code belongs to the company rather than being a personal password for a particular director. It is used when filing company information online through Companies House or compatible filing software. If you are filing for the first time, Companies House sends the authentication code by post to the company's registered office. It cannot normally be provided by email or telephone for security reasons.

This is particularly important for non-UK residents. If you have established a UK company but live in another country, make sure you have a reliable system for receiving official correspondence at your registered office. Companies House also has a newer service allowing certain active officers to request an authentication code to be sent to their home address, subject to eligibility requirements. The current guidance says this takes around 10 working days.

How to Register for WebFiling

If you have never used WebFiling before, you will need to create your WebFiling login details.

Step 1: Go to Companies House WebFiling

Use the official Companies House WebFiling service rather than a third-party website.

Step 2: Register Your Email and Password

Create your WebFiling account using your email address and a secure password. Keep these credentials separate from your company's authentication code.

Step 3: Obtain Your Authentication Code

If you do not already have your company's code, request one through Companies House. The code will normally be sent to the company's registered office by post. Companies House states that you should allow time for delivery and that the code cannot be given over the telephone or email for security reasons.

Once you have your login details and authentication code, sign in and enter the company's details when prompted. You can then access the filing options available to your company.

What Can You File Through WebFiling?

WebFiling supports a broad range of company administration tasks.

Confirmation Statements

A confirmation statement confirms that the information Companies House holds about your company is accurate and up to date. WebFiling can be used to submit confirmation statements, although eligible companies may now have access to the newer dedicated confirmation statement service. The current online confirmation statement fee is £50.

Company Accounts

Certain accounts can still be filed through WebFiling. However, Companies House has introduced a newer service for filing some abridged and full accounts. The government guidance currently says that while the new service is being developed, companies should continue using WebFiling for other types of accounts.

There are also major upcoming changes to accounts filing. Companies House currently states that from 1 April 2028, all companies will have to file annual accounts using commercial software. Web and paper-based accounts filing will close from that date. For founders who currently file their own accounts, this is worth planning for now rather than waiting until the deadline approaches.

Director and Secretary Changes

WebFiling can be used to submit certain changes involving directors and company secretaries. This can include:

Appointing a director
Removing a director
Updating director information
Appointing or changing a company secretary where applicable

The correct filing depends on the specific change.

Registered Office Changes

You can use Companies House online services to update a company's registered office. Keeping this information accurate is particularly important because official company correspondence is sent to the registered office. A company that fails to monitor its registered office could miss important notices, filing reminders or compliance correspondence.

Company Name Changes

WebFiling can also support certain company name changes. The current WebFiling guidance lists a standard online fee of £20 for a company name change, with a higher fee for the same-day service. Before changing a company name, however, make sure the proposed name complies with Companies House naming requirements.

WebFiling can be used for various share capital filings and certain changes relating to People with Significant Control. These are areas where accuracy matters particularly because ownership and control information can affect the company's public record. If a shareholder transfers shares or a person becomes or ceases to be a PSC, do not simply wait until the next annual confirmation statement. The relevant change may need to be reported separately.

How to File a Confirmation Statement Through WebFiling

For a typical eligible company, the process is relatively straightforward.

2. Select the Company

Choose the company for which you want to file.

3. Select Confirmation Statement

Choose the confirmation statement filing option.

4. Review the Company's Information

Check the information carefully.

Look at:

Company details
Directors
PSCs
Shareholders
Share capital
SIC code
Registered information
Other information requested by the filing

If something is wrong, determine whether it needs to be corrected before submitting the confirmation statement.

5. Complete the Filing

Provide the requested information and confirm the required declarations.

6. Pay the Fee

Where applicable, pay the online filing fee.

7. Submit

Submit the confirmation statement and wait for the filing acknowledgement. Do not assume that a submission is automatically accepted. Check your Companies House filing history afterwards.

WebFiling vs the New Companies House Services

This is one of the most important things to understand in 2026. Companies House is gradually developing newer online services, so you may encounter more than one route for completing a filing. For example, eligible private companies can now use a dedicated confirmation statement service if they meet specific conditions, including having:

One shareholder
Between one and five officers
Five PSCs or fewer
Personal codes already provided for all directors

That service requires a Companies House account that is different from a WebFiling account. The newer service also cannot be used to make changes to company information. Companies House says that incorrect or outdated information should be updated before filing the confirmation statement. This means the right filing route depends on your company's circumstances.

A Simple Way to Think About It

Use the newer Companies House service when your company is eligible and the filing is supported. Use WebFiling when the filing is still handled there or your company does not qualify for the newer service. Use commercial software when the filing type requires or benefits from software-based submission. Always check the current Companies House guidance before filing because services are being migrated and developed.

What If You Lose Your Authentication Code?

Losing your authentication code does not mean you need to create a new company account. You can request a reminder or replacement through Companies House. For security reasons, Companies House sends authentication codes by post rather than providing them by email or telephone.

This can create delays for companies whose registered office is not regularly monitored. If you use a registered office service, make sure you have a process for receiving and forwarding official correspondence. For international founders, this is one of the practical differences between simply having a UK address and having an effective UK company-management system.

Can an Accountant Use WebFiling for You?

Yes. A director does not necessarily have to personally complete every online filing. Companies House allows authorised presenters and professional advisers to file information on behalf of companies. However, outsourcing the filing does not remove the director's responsibility for the company's legal obligations.

Companies House specifically notes that even when a professional files accounts on a company's behalf, the company remains legally responsible for its accounts, records and performance. The same principle should guide your approach to other statutory filings. An accountant or company formation provider can help with the process, but directors should still understand what is being filed.

How Long Does Online Filing Take?

Online filing is generally faster than sending documents by post. Companies House states that digital filing provides faster delivery and immediate acknowledgement of receipt, with confirmation when a filing is accepted or rejected.

However, "submitted" and "accepted" are not identical. A filing can be rejected if information is incomplete, inconsistent or fails the relevant validation requirements. That is why it is sensible to file before the final deadline rather than leaving everything until the last day.

Common WebFiling Mistakes

Using the Wrong Company Number

Double-check the company number before submitting anything. This is especially important for accountants, company secretaries and business owners managing multiple companies.

Losing the Authentication Code

Store the authentication code securely once you receive it. Avoid keeping it only in an email or on a single computer.

Filing the Wrong Form

Companies House has several filing routes, and not every change belongs in a confirmation statement. If a director resigns, a PSC changes or the registered office moves, determine the appropriate filing rather than trying to squeeze the change into another form.

Ignoring Filing Rejections

If Companies House rejects a filing, read the rejection reason carefully and correct the underlying issue. Do not assume that a rejected filing counts as meeting the deadline.

Waiting Until the Deadline

Technical issues, authentication problems or missing information can turn a simple filing into a serious deadline problem. Give yourself enough time to resolve unexpected issues.

WebFiling and Company Compliance

WebFiling is a tool, not a compliance strategy. A company can have access to WebFiling and still miss important obligations. A better approach is to maintain a company compliance calendar covering:

Confirmation statement deadline
Accounts deadline
Corporation Tax obligations
PSC changes
Director changes
Registered office updates
Identity verification requirements
Other company-specific filing dates

This is particularly important for founders who operate remotely. A UK company owned by an entrepreneur in Nigeria, Canada, the UAE or another country still has UK company administration responsibilities.

How IncorpUK Can Fit Into the Process

For international founders, the challenge is often not understanding one particular Companies House form. It is keeping track of everything that needs to happen after incorporation. IncorpUK is positioned as a UK company formation and management platform for global founders, combining company formation with registered office support, official mail handling, company management resources, compliance guidance, banking and payment gateway guidance, and AI-powered tools.

Its AI compliance and business tools are intended to help founders understand administrative requirements and stay organised; they should not be treated as a replacement for professional legal or accounting advice. The broader lesson is useful regardless of which provider you use: incorporation creates the company, but good administration keeps it in good standing.

A Practical WebFiling Checklist

Before submitting a filing, run through this quick review:

Confirm the correct company number.
Confirm that you are using the correct Companies House filing service.
Check your WebFiling login details.
Have your company authentication code available.
Review the information being submitted.
Check directors and PSC information where relevant.
Check shareholder and share information where relevant.
Confirm the filing deadline.
Check whether a filing fee applies.
Submit the filing before the deadline.
Save the acknowledgement.
Check the company's Companies House record after submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Companies House WebFiling?

Companies House WebFiling is an online service that allows companies and authorised presenters to submit various statutory company information electronically. It can be used for filings including confirmation statements, certain accounts, director changes and other company information.

Do I need an authentication code to use WebFiling?

Yes. A company authentication code is generally required to authorise filings made for the company. Companies House describes the code as a six-character alphanumeric code.

Where does Companies House send the authentication code?

The authentication code is normally sent by post to the company's registered office. Companies House also provides a separate home-address request service for eligible active officers in certain circumstances.

Can I file my confirmation statement through WebFiling?

Yes, WebFiling supports confirmation statement filings. However, some private companies are now eligible for a newer dedicated confirmation statement service, depending on their company structure and whether director personal codes have been provided.

Is WebFiling free?

Some online company changes are free, while other filings have fees. For example, Companies House currently lists a £50 fee for an online confirmation statement and charges for certain other transactions.

Can I use WebFiling from outside the UK?

Generally, yes. A company can be managed remotely and filings can be submitted online. The main practical issue for an overseas founder is ensuring that you can access your filing credentials and receive important correspondence, particularly the company's authentication code.

Can my accountant file through WebFiling?

Yes. Professional advisers and authorised presenters can file information for companies. However, the company's directors remain responsible for ensuring the information and statutory filings are correct.

Is WebFiling being replaced?

Companies House is developing and introducing newer online filing services, so some tasks are moving to different digital services. WebFiling remains available for various company filings, while some accounts and confirmation statement filings now have newer routes.

Will WebFiling still be used for company accounts?

Companies House has announced that from 1 April 2028, all companies will have to file annual accounts using commercial software. Companies House says web and paper-based accounts filing will close from that date.

Conclusion

Companies House WebFiling remains an important tool for managing UK company administration online. For routine filings, it can save time, eliminate postage and provide rapid confirmation that information has been submitted. It can be particularly useful for founders who manage their companies themselves or operate from outside the UK.

The key is knowing which filing you need, which Companies House service currently handles it, and what information you need before you start. Keep your company authentication code secure, monitor your registered office, maintain a compliance calendar and check that filings have actually been accepted after submission.

And remember that Companies House digital services are evolving. As new filing services are introduced, the correct process for a particular filing may change. Checking the latest official Companies House guidance before submitting important information is therefore one of the simplest ways to avoid unnecessary errors. For global founders, the goal should not merely be to learn how to use WebFiling. It should be to build a reliable system for starting, managing and keeping a UK company compliant from anywhere in the world.