Where Can I Find My Company Authentication Code?

Company authentication code is a six-character alphanumeric code Companies House issues when your company is formed. This has the function of an electronic signature. You must present it each time you want to submit the electronic filing of documents or update your company's particulars online.

Whether you are establishing a new service, renaming your business, or changing your company address, you need an authentication code. Incorpuk in this guide helps you understand basic guidelines on where to find and how to apply your company authentication code.

What is a Company Authentication Code?

A company authentication code is a 6-digit combination of letters and numbers unique to each company. It is an electronic signature for submitting information electronically and is equivalent to a company executive's signature on a document.

The authentication code is necessary for submitting your company's details through the Internet or third-party software. It works similarly to a digital signature, making the transaction and the process safe and verified.

Where can I Find My Company Authentication Code?

During your company registration, we emailed you vital information about your company. That email contains your company authentication code. Therefore, you should find your code by checking the attachment.

If you can't find that email, there's a way to find your authentication code via your client portal. Follow these steps to locate your code:

Companies formed through Incorpuk

1. Go to the Incorpuk website
2. Login to the client portal
3. Select my companies
4. Select your company name
5. Check your company overview, and you will find your authentication code.

Companies incorporated via Companies House

1. Go to Companies House WebFiling is free to use, so register an account or log in if you do not already have one.
2. Click on the option called 'WebFiling'.
3. Type in your company's registration number and select the correct area of the United Kingdom for your company (England and Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland).
4. Ensure that the company details appear as shown, then click 'Confirm and continue.'
5. When you have requested the authentication code, select 'Help with authentication code.'
6. Click on 'Request an authentication code'.
7. Choose between delivering the code to your company's registered office or home address.

How Long does it take to obtain a Company Authentication Code?

The duration before you get your authentication code depends mainly on the channel you use to form your company.

When you use Incorpuk to form your company, you will receive your authentication code after Companies House accepts your company registration application.

If you have incorporated your company with Companies House, you have to wait for the WebFiling authentication code in the post. Companies House states that you may receive your authentication code in about 5 days from the date of incorporation.

How to Change Your Company Authentication Code

If you need to change your company's authentication code because you'd prefer something easier to remember than the randomly generated one from Companies House, here's how you can do it:

1. Go to the Companies House WebFiling website and enter your login details; if you haven't already done so, you must register.
2. Choose 'Your Companies'.
3. If you haven't joined the account with your company yet, do so now. This includes entering your company registration number, selecting the correct jurisdiction, and inputting the current code.
4. After adding, select 'File for this company'.
5. Go to 'Company authentication.'
6. Enter the current code, enter your new preferred code twice, and press' Change code.' The code will be updated shortly.

Once your code has been changed, the Companies House will notify you of your authentication code change through a letter sent to your registered office address. Inform the authorised individuals to file documents on behalf of the company about the code change.

How many days does it take to get or change the Authentication Code?

Once the code has been ordered, it will take 3–5 working days to arrive at the Registered Office Address. If you have been changing the code by paper, it can take Companies House about five working days to change it.

When to change My Company Authentication Code?

There are many reasons why you might want to change your company's authentication code:

1. It is advisable to change it to a more memorable code.
2. If you administrate several limited companies, it will be convenient, for instance, to alter all the authentication codes to one standard code.
3. You may wish to use the same authentication code for all the companies in a given group to ease management.
4. If you realise that an unauthorised individual has access to the code or has changed company details.
5. When your former employees, like lawyers or accountants, were authorised to use code, they were no longer employed by your company.

What Measures Can You Take to Protect Your Company's Authentication Code?

Your company uses the authentication code, which should be guarded as a secret, the same way you would protect your bank card PIN. It means that any person who has a chance to get to your code will be able to change your company's details online. Here's how to safeguard your authentication code:

1. Don't use only letters or numbers in your code; mix them up to make them less easily guessable.
2. You should only share your code with people who handle your company's filings.
3. If your code is revealed to a person you do not want to know your information, you should update it.
4. Alter your code if it gets into the wrong hands or a person who is no longer allowed to file for your business, for instance, past employees or accountants.
5. In particular, it is necessary to stress that Companies House will never contact you to request your authentication code. If you receive such a request, it is most probably an attempt at fraud.
6. In the case of suspected fraud, always report to Companies House as soon as possible.

Why did Companies House change my authentication code?

Companies House will change your authentication code if letters sent to the company registered office are returned many times. It can also change if you enter the code incorrectly thrice or more.

Why is my authentication code non-unique?

Since you can create your authentication code, you may not be aware of other companies with similar codes.

However, this does not present a security risk. Companies House accepts only electronic forms from registered presenters. The change authority lies in entering the registered presenter's ID and business number, followed by the authentication code.

Do You Need Help Forming Your Company in the UK?

Incorpuk offers a range of fast and efficient online company formation services that makes it easiest and cost effective to take your business global. Kindly contact incorpuk if you need any help on company formation services today.

Final Thought

An authentication code is an essential security you can use to manage your online business filings. It is your electronic signature, so protect it like your sensitive data. To protect your company's details, you need to update your code often and make sure that the code is shared with a few select people. If its security is threatened, take countermeasures to avoid any modifications by an unauthorised party. Be on the lookout always for cases of fraud and report any case of fraud to Companies House.