If you have recently changed your company name, appointed a director, moved your registered office or updated your company details, one question usually comes next: how long will it take for the change to appear on Companies House? The short answer is: it depends on the type of filing, how you submitted it, and whether Companies House accepts it without further action. Online filings are generally quicker than paper submissions, but there is no single processing time that applies to every company update.

For businesses, the distinction matters. A filing is not necessarily complete simply because you have submitted it. Some changes only become official once Companies House has registered them, and a rejected filing may need to be corrected and resubmitted. This guide explains what to expect, what can cause delays, and what to do if your company information has not been updated when you expected.

What Does a Companies House Update Mean?

Companies House maintains the public register of companies in the UK. Companies are legally required to notify it when certain information changes, including details about directors, company secretaries, registered offices, company names, shareholders and people with significant control (PSCs). An update normally involves submitting the appropriate information through a Companies House online service, software filing system or, where applicable, a paper form. However, submission and registration are two different stages.

For example, if a company submits a change of registered office online, the address does not officially change until the new address has been registered by Companies House. That distinction is particularly important when a business is relying on the public register for due diligence, banking, contracts, investment or compliance purposes.

How Long Does Companies House Take to Update Information?

There is no universal processing time for every Companies House filing. Online filings are generally processed faster than paper filings, and Companies House itself recommends digital filing because it is quicker and provides confirmation that the submission has been received. Paper documents can take around a week to process and sometimes longer during busy periods, according to the Companies House processing information. The practical expectation is therefore:

These are guidelines rather than guaranteed processing times. Companies House processing can change depending on demand, the type of filing and whether the submission requires examination. In June 2026, for example, Companies House temporarily reported delays to some filings and later confirmed that processing had returned to normal. For anything with a legal, contractual or commercial deadline, it is therefore sensible to submit well before the date you actually need the register to show the change.

Which Companies House Updates Are Common?

Companies House handles a wide range of company changes. Common examples include:

• Appointing a director
• Removing or recording the resignation of a director
• Appointing or removing a company secretary
• Changing a director's personal details
• Changing the registered office
• Changing the company name
• Updating PSC information
• Changing the company's accounting reference date
• Issuing new shares
• Changing share information
• Registering certain mortgages or charges

Companies House states that different changes have different notification deadlines. For example, changes involving directors, their personal details and company secretaries generally need to be reported within 14 days, while other changes have different statutory deadlines. The filing deadline and the processing time are separate issues. A company might have 14 days to notify Companies House of a change, but that does not mean Companies House guarantees that the change will appear on the public register within 14 days.

How Long Do Common Companies House Changes Take?

Changing a Registered Office Address

Changing a registered office is one of the more straightforward company updates. The change can be submitted online, and the new address must be in the same UK jurisdiction in which the company was incorporated. For example, an English and Welsh company cannot simply move its registered office to Scotland without addressing the separate legal requirements involved.

An important point is that the new address is not officially effective until Companies House registers it. So, if you are moving offices, do not assume that submitting the form automatically completes the change.

Appointing or Removing a Director

Director changes can also be filed online. Companies House requires notification of changes involving directors, including appointments, resignations and changes to certain personal details. These changes generally have a 14-day notification period. For businesses onboarding a new director before an investment round, bank application or major contract, it is wise to allow enough time for the public register to reflect the appointment.

Changing the Company Name

A company-name change normally involves the appropriate corporate approval followed by notification to Companies House. Companies House provides an online route for certain name changes and also offers a same-day service for eligible applications. The standard online filing fee and same-day fee are different, and eligibility requirements apply. A company should not treat a new trading name, website launch or branding exercise as equivalent to legally changing its registered company name.

Filing a Confirmation Statement

A confirmation statement is an annual requirement designed to confirm that the information Companies House holds about the company is correct. Every company, including dormant and non-trading companies, must file one at least once every 12 months. The confirmation statement is not simply an annual formality. It is an opportunity to check whether important information on the public register remains accurate. If you have changed information during the year, the relevant changes should generally be dealt with through the appropriate filing rather than waiting for the confirmation statement.

Why Has My Companies House Update Not Appeared Yet?

If you submitted a filing but cannot see the change immediately, there are several possible explanations.

1. The filing is still being processed

The most straightforward explanation is that Companies House has received your filing but has not yet completed its examination and registration. This is more likely with paper filings than straightforward online submissions.

2. The filing was rejected

Companies House can reject documents that do not meet the requirements for proper delivery. For example, information may be incomplete, inconsistent with existing company records or submitted using the wrong process.

A rejected filing is particularly important because sending the filing does not necessarily mean the legal requirement has been satisfied. For accounts, Companies House specifically warns that if accounts are rejected after the filing deadline has passed, the company can remain recorded as overdue until acceptable accounts are examined and accepted.

3. The filing was submitted incorrectly

Different company changes require different forms, services or approvals. Using the wrong filing route can create additional work and delay the update.

4. Companies House is experiencing operational delays

Processing times can occasionally increase because of technical problems, exceptional demand or operational backlogs. The best approach is to check the latest Companies House information rather than relying on an old estimate found online.

What Happens After You Submit a Companies House Filing?

A useful way to think about the process is as a four-stage journey.

Stage 1: Preparation

You identify the change and determine which filing is required. For some changes, you may also need shareholder approval, board approval or supporting documentation.

Stage 2: Submission

You submit the information online, through approved software or by post. Online services are generally preferable when available because Companies House says they are quicker and provide confirmation of receipt.

Stage 3: Examination

Companies House checks the filing against its requirements. This does not necessarily mean Companies House is independently verifying every commercial fact contained in the document. The register should therefore not be treated as a guarantee that every statement about a company is accurate.

Stage 4: Registration

If the filing is accepted, the relevant information is entered on the public register. At this point, the change should become visible when searching for the company.

What Should You Do If a Companies House Update Is Delayed?

If a change has not appeared when expected, avoid immediately submitting the same filing again. Instead, work through this checklist.

1. Confirm the filing was actually submitted

Check your email, Companies House account or software platform for evidence of submission. Keep the confirmation for your records.

2. Check the company's filing history

Search the company's record on Companies House and look at the filing history. This can help establish whether the filing has been registered, rejected or is simply not yet visible.

3. Look for a rejection message

If Companies House has rejected the filing, read the reason carefully. Do not simply resubmit an identical document. Correct the underlying issue first.

4. Check whether the filing requires another action

Some company changes require a resolution or other corporate action before they can be properly recorded. The Companies House guidance specifically notes that some changes may require company agreement before filing.

5. Contact Companies House if necessary

If the filing appears to have disappeared, there is an apparent technical issue, or the processing time is materially outside the expected timeframe, contact Companies House. Its current general contact information is available through GOV.UK.

Why Filing Early Matters for Businesses

A common mistake is to plan around the legal deadline rather than the business deadline. Suppose a company needs to change its director before opening a corporate bank account. The statutory notification deadline may give the company several days to notify Companies House, but the bank may need to see the updated public record before completing its checks. Those are two different timelines. The same issue can arise with:

• Investors conducting due diligence
• Suppliers checking company details
• Customers verifying a business
• Professional advisers conducting compliance checks
• Corporate banking applications
• Financing arrangements
• Contracts requiring current director information

For international founders using a UK company structure, this becomes even more important. A company may be incorporated in the UK while its founders, customers or operations are elsewhere in the world. IncorpUK, for example, operates in the company formation and management space for global founders, where keeping UK company records aligned with real-world business changes can be particularly important.

Companies House Updates vs HMRC Updates

One important misconception is that updating Companies House automatically updates every government record. That is not always the case. Companies House itself notes that some company changes may also need to be reported to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

For example, a registered office change is communicated by Companies House to HMRC, but other changes may involve separate tax or regulatory obligations. Think of Companies House as the corporate register, not a universal notification service for every organisation your business deals with. After a significant company change, consider whether you also need to update:

• HMRC
• Your bank
• Insurance providers
• Payment processors
• Accountants
• Business lenders
• Customers and suppliers
• Licensing authorities
• Professional regulators

How to Make Companies House Updates Faster and Safer

The best way to avoid delays is usually preparation rather than chasing Companies House afterwards.

Use online filing where available

Companies House says digital filing is generally easier and quicker than paper filing.

Check information before submitting

Verify:

• Company number
• Legal company name
• Director details
• Registered office
• PSC information
• Dates
• Share information
• Required approvals

A five-minute review can prevent a much longer correction process.

Keep your authentication and account access secure

Companies House online filing uses account access and company authentication arrangements. Companies House has also moved WebFiling access towards GOV.UK One Login. Do not casually share authentication credentials with people who do not need them.

Keep a compliance calendar

Do not rely solely on memory. Track:

• Accounts deadline
• Confirmation statement date
• Director changes
• PSC changes
• Share issues
• Registered office changes
• Other statutory notifications

File before the deadline

This is perhaps the simplest improvement a company can make. If an accounts deadline is 30 September, do not plan to submit them at 11:55pm on 30 September. Companies House states that acceptable accounts must be delivered by the legal deadline, and the recorded date relates to delivery of acceptable accounts not simply when a document was sent.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly does Companies House update information online?

There is no single guaranteed timeframe for every filing. Online submissions are generally processed more quickly than paper filings, but processing depends on the type of filing and whether Companies House accepts it.

Can I assume my company details have changed as soon as I submit the form?

No. For changes such as a registered office address, the change does not officially take effect until it has been registered by Companies House.

Why is my Companies House filing still pending?

It may still be undergoing processing, or there may be an issue with the submission. Check your filing confirmation and company filing history before taking further action.

What happens if Companies House rejects my filing?

You normally need to identify and correct the problem before submitting the filing again. If the filing relates to a statutory deadline, take particular care because a rejected filing may not satisfy the requirement.

Are Companies House updates processed on weekends?

Companies House online services are available throughout weekends and bank holidays, but the availability of an online service does not mean every filing will be immediately examined and registered.

Does Companies House automatically tell HMRC about every company change?

No. Some information is shared between the organisations, but certain changes may require separate action with HMRC or other authorities.

Is filing online better than filing by post?

Where an online option is available, it is generally preferable because Companies House states that digital filing is quicker and provides confirmation of receipt.

Can I submit another filing while the first one is being processed?

It depends on the type of change and circumstances. Avoid duplicating a filing without first checking its status, as this can create confusion or additional corrections.

Final Takeaway

Companies House updates do not all take the same amount of time. Straightforward online filings are generally faster than paper submissions, but acceptance and registration not simply clicking “submit” are what ultimately matter. The safest approach is to file early, use the correct online service, check every detail before submission and monitor the company's filing history afterwards.

For founders and directors, Companies House compliance should be treated as an ongoing business process rather than an occasional administrative task. Keeping the public register accurate protects the credibility of the company, reduces avoidable delays and makes future dealings with banks, investors, customers and professional advisers much smoother.

Most importantly, never build a critical business deadline around the assumption that a Companies House update will appear instantly. Give the filing enough time to be processed, and if something goes wrong, address it promptly rather than waiting until a statutory deadline has passed.