Filing information with Companies House online is now the standard way for most UK companies to keep their corporate records up to date. Whether you are submitting a confirmation statement, filing annual accounts or notifying Companies House about changes to your company, online filing can be faster and more convenient than using paper forms. However, Companies House filing is not simply a matter of logging in and clicking “submit”. You need the right company information, the appropriate filing method and, in many cases, an authentication code or verified personal identity.

This guide explains how to file online with Companies House, what you can file, which information you need, how the process works and what to do if something goes wrong.

Important: Companies House requirements are changing as reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act are introduced. The guidance below reflects the position as of August 2026.

What Does Filing with Companies House Mean?

Companies House is the UK registrar of companies. UK companies are required to provide certain information to the registrar, including annual accounts, confirmation statements and notifications of changes to company details. Companies House provides several online routes for submitting this information. These include its WebFiling service, the newer GOV.UK services and commercial accounting or company filing software.

The appropriate method depends on what you are filing and the type of company you operate. For example, a straightforward confirmation statement may be filed directly through a Companies House online service, while certain types of annual accounts require compatible commercial software.

What Can You File Online with Companies House?

A wide range of company information can be submitted electronically. Depending on your company and circumstances, this can include:

• Annual accounts
• Confirmation statements
• Changes to directors
• Changes to company secretaries
• Changes to registered office details
• Changes to people with significant control (PSCs)
• Company name changes
• Changes to share information
• Changes to accounting reference dates
• Incorporation documents
• Certain company charges
• Applications to close a company

Companies House states that online services can be used to file accounts, confirmation statements, make company changes and close a company. The important point is that not every filing uses the same online route.

What You Need Before Filing Online

Before starting, gather the information and credentials relevant to your filing.

1. Your company number

Your company registration number (CRN) identifies the company you are filing for. If you cannot remember it, you can search the Companies House register using the company's name.

2. Your Companies House account

Depending on the service you use, you may need a Companies House account or WebFiling account. Companies House has been moving its online services towards GOV.UK One Login. Since October 2025, users accessing WebFiling have been required to connect their WebFiling account to GOV.UK One Login.

3. Your authentication code

Many company filings require the company's Companies House authentication code. This is different from your personal login credentials. The authentication code is associated with the company and acts as an important security credential when filing online.

Companies House says that when you register for certain online filing services, an authentication code is posted to the company's registered office. For some filing services, delivery can take up to five days.

4. Your personal identity verification

Companies House has introduced identity verification requirements as part of its corporate transparency reforms. For some filings, directors may need to verify their identity through GOV.UK One Login and obtain a personal code. For example, Companies House currently requires personal codes for directors in certain confirmation statement processes.

Step-by-Step: How to File Online with Companies House

Step 1: Identify what you need to file

Start with the filing itself rather than the website. Ask: What information am I required to submit? For example:

• Annual accounts → accounts filing
• Annual confirmation of company information → confirmation statement
• New director → officer change
• New registered office → registered office change
• Company name change → name change filing

This sounds obvious, but choosing the wrong filing route can result in unnecessary delays or rejection.

Step 2: Check your company's current information

Before submitting anything, look up the company on the Companies House register. Review:

• Company name
• Registered office
• Directors
• PSCs
• Shareholders and share information where applicable
• Filing dates
• Previous filings
• Company status

This is particularly important when filing a confirmation statement. A confirmation statement is intended to confirm that the information held by Companies House is accurate and up to date. Companies must file one at least once every year, even if nothing has changed.

Step 3: Choose the correct online service

Companies House does not have one single filing screen for everything. Depending on the filing, you may use:

• Companies House WebFiling
• Find and update company information
• A dedicated Companies House filing service
• Commercial filing software

The Companies House online filing guidance provides an overview of the available routes. If you are unsure which service applies, check the official Companies House guidance before starting.

How to File a Confirmation Statement Online

The confirmation statement is one of the most common Companies House filings. Every company must file one at least once every year, including dormant and non-trading companies. For eligible companies, the online process is relatively straightforward.

You generally need:

• A Companies House account
• Company number
• Authentication code
• Relevant company information
• Personal identity verification where required
• Payment for the filing fee

As of 2026, the digital confirmation statement fee is £50. The dedicated online confirmation statement service currently supports certain private companies limited by shares, including companies with one shareholder, up to five officers and up to five PSCs, provided the required director personal codes have been supplied. Companies outside those criteria may need to use WebFiling instead.

Before submitting the statement, check that changes to directors, PSCs and other company details have been filed where necessary. You should not use the confirmation statement simply to conceal or overlook information that is already out of date.

How to File Annual Accounts Online

Annual accounts are more complicated because the correct filing method depends on the company's circumstances and the type of accounts being prepared. Companies House requires companies to file annual accounts, including dormant and non-trading companies, subject to applicable rules and exemptions. Your accounts may be:

• Micro-entity accounts
• Small company accounts
• Abridged accounts where eligible
• Full accounts
• Audited accounts
• Group accounts
• Dormant company accounts

The correct category matters.

If you are uncertain which accounts your company should prepare, speak to an accountant rather than selecting an accounts type simply because it appears easiest.

A major change for UK companies

The joint service previously used to file company accounts and Company Tax Returns together closed on 31 March 2026. From 1 April 2026, companies must use commercial software to file their Company Tax Return with HMRC, while Companies House accounts can be filed through applicable Companies House web services, commercial software or paper filing depending on the accounts and circumstances. This distinction is important:

Companies House filing and HMRC tax filing are not the same thing. Submitting accounts to Companies House does not automatically mean you have fulfilled your Corporation Tax filing obligations with HMRC.

Filing Company Accounts Using Software

For many businesses, accounting software will increasingly become the preferred way to file accounts. Companies House provides a directory to help companies find software suitable for their type of accounts. Software filing can offer several advantages:

• Faster submission
• Immediate acknowledgement
• Reduced risk of transcription errors
• Easier electronic record keeping
• Automatic confirmation of acceptance or rejection
• No postal costs

Companies House also says that commercial software will become mandatory for annual accounts for all companies from 1 April 2028, subject to the detailed implementation of the reforms. For businesses that already work with an accountant, this may happen largely in the background because the accountant's accounting software can handle the filing.

How to File Changes to Your Company Online

Companies House allows many changes to be submitted electronically. Examples include:

Changing a director

If a director is appointed or leaves, the company needs to notify Companies House using the appropriate filing.

Changing your registered office

Your registered office is the official address for the company. Keeping it current is essential because Companies House uses it for official communications.

Changing your company name

A company name change requires the appropriate filing and, where relevant, shareholder approval.

Updating PSC information

People with significant control must be properly recorded. Changes to PSC information should not be ignored simply because the company is otherwise operating normally. House specifically requires certain company information to be updated before a confirmation statement can be submitted.

What Happens After You Submit?

Do not assume that clicking “submit” means the filing has been accepted. Companies House may:

1. Receive the submission.
2. Check it.
3. Accept it.
4. Reject it and explain the problem.

Online filing has an important advantage because you normally receive confirmation that the submission has been received, and software can provide notification when a filing is accepted or rejected. Keep the confirmation for your records. If a filing is rejected, read the reason carefully and correct the underlying problem rather than simply submitting exactly the same information again.

Common Reasons Companies House Filings Are Rejected

Rejection can happen for a range of reasons. Common problems include:

• Incorrect company details
• Inconsistent information
• Incorrect accounts type
• Missing information
• Invalid dates
• Incorrect authentication
• Failure to meet filing requirements
• Technical problems with uploaded documents
• Information that conflicts with existing company records

A useful habit is to compare your proposed filing against the company's existing Companies House record before submission. Think of the filing as an update to an official database, not merely an administrative form.

What If You Have Lost Your Authentication Code?

If you cannot find the authentication code, you will generally need to request a replacement. Companies House sends authentication codes to the company's registered office for security reasons. For certain services, the code cannot simply be provided by email or telephone.

This can be particularly important for overseas founders. If you use an accountant, formation agent or company management provider, check whether they hold the code or receive Companies House correspondence on your behalf. Do not wait until the day before a filing deadline to discover that the code is sitting in a physical mailbox you cannot access.

Filing Online as an Overseas Founder

You do not necessarily need to live in the UK to be a director of a UK company. However, managing a UK company from overseas creates an additional administrative challenge. You need a reliable process for:

• Receiving official correspondence
• Maintaining the registered office
• Monitoring filing deadlines
• Managing Companies House credentials
• Completing identity verification when required
• Coordinating with accountants
• Keeping corporate information accurate

This is one reason international founders often use professional company administration providers. IncorpUK, for example, operates as a UK company formation and management platform for global founders. Its relevance is less about replacing the director's responsibilities and more about helping international businesses manage the practical administration surrounding a UK company.

Companies House Filing vs HMRC Filing

One of the most important distinctions for new business owners is that Companies House and HMRC are different government bodies with different responsibilities.

A business can therefore complete a Companies House filing and still have a separate HMRC obligation outstanding. The closure of the joint accounts and Company Tax Return service in March 2026 makes this distinction especially important.

A Simple Companies House Filing Checklist

Before submitting an online filing, use this checklist:

Before filing

• Confirm the correct company number
• Check your filing deadline
• Identify the correct filing type
• Review the company's existing Companies House information
• Confirm your authentication details
• Complete identity verification if required
• Check all names and dates carefully
• Review financial information with your accountant where applicable

After filing

• Save the submission confirmation
• Check whether the filing has been accepted
• If rejected, read and address the rejection reason
• Update your internal company records
• Check whether a separate HMRC filing is required

This simple process can prevent many avoidable compliance problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file with Companies House online myself?

Yes. Many Companies House filings can be completed directly online. The appropriate service depends on the filing and company circumstances.

Do I need an accountant to file with Companies House?

No. A director can handle many filings personally. However, professional accounting advice can be valuable for annual accounts, tax matters and more complex company structures.

Do I need my authentication code to file online?

Many online company filings require the company's authentication code. Some services also require personal identity verification and a personal code.

Can I file my Companies House accounts through HMRC?

Not through the old joint service. That service closed on 31 March 2026. Companies now need to use the appropriate Companies House route for their accounts and commercial software for Company Tax Returns with HMRC.

How much does it cost to file a confirmation statement online?

The digital confirmation statement fee is currently £50. Companies House fees can change, so check the latest official fee information before filing.

What happens if I miss a Companies House filing deadline?

The consequences depend on the filing. Late accounts can result in financial penalties, while failure to submit required information can create wider compliance problems and, in some circumstances, contribute to company strike-off proceedings.

Can an accountant file for my company?

Yes. Accountants and other professional advisers can handle Companies House filings on behalf of businesses. You should nevertheless understand what they are filing and remain aware of your company's statutory deadlines.

Will Companies House tell me if my filing is rejected?

Online filing systems can provide confirmation and rejection information. Check your filing status rather than assuming that submission automatically means acceptance.

Will Companies House online filing become mandatory?

Online filing is already the normal route for many filings, and further digital changes are being introduced. Companies House currently states that all companies will need to file annual accounts using commercial software from 1 April 2028.

Conclusion

Filing online with Companies House is straightforward when you understand what you need to file, which service to use and what information Companies House expects. For routine obligations such as confirmation statements, the process can often be completed directly online. Annual accounts require more care because the appropriate filing method depends on the company's size, accounts type and current Companies House requirements.

The biggest mistake is treating Companies House filing as an isolated administrative task. Your company information, accounts, directors, PSC details, registered office and filing deadlines form part of an ongoing compliance system. For founders, particularly those running UK companies from overseas, the best approach is simple: keep your company information accurate, protect your authentication credentials, monitor deadlines and maintain a clear distinction between Companies House obligations and HMRC tax obligations.

With digital filing becoming increasingly central to UK company administration, building good filing habits now will make compliance considerably easier as the system continues to evolve.