Keeping company information accurate at Companies House is a basic responsibility of running a UK company, but it is also one of the areas where small administrative mistakes can create bigger problems later. A company may change directors, move offices, appoint a new person with significant control (PSC), issue shares or change its registered email address. Some changes must be reported to Companies House within a specific period, while others are confirmed through the company's annual confirmation statement.

The good news is that many updates can be completed online. This guide explains how to update company information at Companies House, what changes need to be reported, which filings are used, when to make them and what directors should check after submitting an update.

Important: Companies House is introducing significant digital and identity-verification reforms under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act. The exact filing process can vary depending on the company and the type of information being changed.

What Company Information Can You Update at Companies House?

Companies House maintains the public register of UK companies. The register contains important information about a company, including its registered office, directors, people with significant control, company type, filing history and certain information about its shares. Depending on your circumstances, you may need to update:

• Registered office address
• Registered email address
• Directors
• Company secretary
• People with significant control
• Company name
• Share capital
• Shareholders and share information
• Statement of capital
• Principal business activities
• Accounting reference date
• Certain company registers and information required by Companies House

Not every change is made using the same form or online service. The first step should therefore be to identify exactly what has changed and then determine the appropriate Companies House filing.

Why Is It Important to Keep Companies House Information Updated?

Companies House information is not merely an internal record. Much of the information on the register is publicly available and can be checked by customers, banks, investors, suppliers, professional advisers and other businesses. An outdated record can therefore create practical problems.

For example, imagine a company has moved from one registered office to another but never updates Companies House. Official correspondence could continue going to the old address. If an important Companies House notice is missed, the directors may not know about it until the situation has become more serious.

Similarly, if a director resigns but the register still shows that person as a director, third parties may reasonably rely on the public information. Accurate company records also make due diligence easier when a business is applying for finance, opening a bank account, entering a major contract or preparing for investment.

How to Update Company Information at Companies House

The general process is straightforward:

1. Identify what information has changed.
2. Check whether the change must be reported immediately or through another filing.
3. Find the correct Companies House service or form.
4. Gather the required information.
5. Complete any required identity verification.
6. Submit the change.
7. Keep confirmation of the filing.
8. Check the company's public record after the change has been processed.

The critical part is choosing the right filing. Submitting an incorrect form can cause delays or result in a rejection.

Step 1: Check Your Company's Current Information

Before changing anything, search for the company on the Companies House register. Review the information currently displayed. Look particularly at:

• Company name
• Registered office
• Company status
• Directors
• PSCs
• Filing history
• SIC codes
• Confirmation statement dates
• Accounts deadlines
• Share information where relevant

This gives you a baseline. It is especially useful when several changes have happened at once. For example, suppose a founder has moved offices, appointed a new director and transferred shares. Rather than treating these as one generic "company update", each change may have its own filing requirement.

Step 2: Identify the Correct Filing

Different company changes require different filings.

Changing the registered office

A company must have an appropriate registered office address in the relevant part of the UK. If the address changes, the company should notify Companies House using the appropriate registered office change service. The registered office is important because it is the address used for official communications and legal documents. It should not be treated simply as a mailing address.

Changing directors

When someone becomes or leaves as a director, Companies House needs to be notified. This includes appointments and resignations. Director information is particularly important because it forms part of the public record and can affect how banks, suppliers and other organisations assess a company.

Under the current reforms, directors are also subject to new identity-verification requirements. Companies House has been introducing personal codes and identity verification as part of the wider corporate transparency changes.

Changing a PSC

A person with significant control is an individual or entity that meets the legal criteria for having significant control over a company. Examples can include someone who:

• Holds more than 25% of shares
• Holds more than 25% of voting rights
• Has the right to appoint or remove a majority of the board
• Otherwise exercises significant influence or control

If PSC information changes, the company must make the appropriate update to Companies House. Do not assume that the annual confirmation statement is always the correct place to report a change. Certain changes have their own notification requirements.

How to Change Your Company's Registered Office

Changing the registered office is one of the more common Companies House updates. The process generally involves providing:

• Company number
• New registered office address
• Authorisation to make the change

The new address must meet the legal requirements for a registered office. A company should also consider the practical consequences.

Before changing the address, check:

• Can official mail be received there?
• Is someone able to monitor correspondence?
• Does the address meet Companies House requirements?
• Are banks and other important organisations using the same address?
• Do your website, invoices and contracts need updating?

For international founders, this deserves particular attention. A founder living outside the UK may use a professional registered office service. If so, the company needs a reliable process for receiving and forwarding official correspondence.

How to Change Directors at Companies House

Changes involving directors are more sensitive than a simple address update. When appointing a director, you may need information such as:

• Full legal name
• Former names where applicable
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Occupation
• Service address
• Residential address
• Required identity verification information

When a director resigns, the appropriate termination notification needs to be submitted.

A practical example

Suppose ABC Consulting Ltd has two directors. One resigns in September and a replacement is appointed in October. The company should not wait until the next confirmation statement to update the register if the relevant law requires the director changes to be notified earlier. Keeping the register accurate as changes occur is much safer than trying to reconstruct several months of corporate history later.

How to Update a Company's PSC Information

PSC reporting has become increasingly important as the UK strengthens corporate transparency requirements. If ownership or control changes, review whether the PSC position has also changed. For example, imagine three shareholders own:

• Founder A — 60%
• Founder B — 25%
• Founder C — 15%

If Founder A transfers enough shares that the ownership structure changes substantially, the company's PSC position may need to be reviewed. The company should not simply update the shareholder information and assume everything else is automatically correct. Ownership and control are connected but should be considered separately.

Can You Change Company Information Through a Confirmation Statement?

Sometimes, yes. The confirmation statement is an annual filing used to confirm that the information Companies House holds about a company is correct. It must generally be filed at least once every 12 months, even if nothing has changed.

Certain information can be updated as part of the confirmation statement process. However, the confirmation statement should not be used as a reason to delay a change that has its own notification deadline. A useful rule is: If something changes during the year, check whether Companies House expects a separate notification immediately. Do not automatically wait for the confirmation statement.

How to Update Company Information Online

For many common changes, online filing is the quickest route. Companies House provides online services for changing company information and submitting statutory filings. The exact process depends on the change. You may need:

• Your company number
• Companies House account
• Authentication credentials
• Company authentication code
• Personal identity verification
• Supporting information
• Payment where applicable

The move towards stronger identity verification is particularly important for directors and people responsible for filing company information. Companies House authentication should be treated as a security credential, not something to casually share with third parties.

What Is the Companies House Authentication Code?

The authentication code is a company-specific security credential used for certain online filings. It helps Companies House establish that the person submitting information is authorised to file for the company. If you have lost the code, you can request a replacement through the relevant Companies House process. The replacement is generally sent to the company's registered office for security reasons.

For overseas business owners, this is one reason to make sure the registered office is actively monitored. Losing access to official company correspondence can turn a routine filing into a much more complicated task.

What Happens After You Update the Information?

Submitting a change does not always mean the register is updated instantly. Companies House may need to process the filing. Once processed, check the company's public record. Look for:

• The new information
• Correct spelling of names
• Correct dates
• Correct addresses
• Updated filing history
• Any unexpected rejection or notification

This final check is worth doing. For example, if you change a registered office and the new address does not appear as expected, do not simply assume that everything worked.

What If Companies House Rejects Your Update?

Companies House can reject filings when information is incomplete, inconsistent or does not meet filing requirements. If a filing is rejected:

1. Read the rejection notice carefully

The explanation should indicate what needs to be corrected.

2. Compare the submission with the company's record

Look for inconsistencies in names, dates, company numbers and other information.

3. Correct the underlying problem

Do not repeatedly submit the same filing without addressing the reason for rejection.

4. Resubmit promptly

If the change has a statutory deadline, a rejection does not necessarily eliminate your obligation to make the filing. For complicated matters, particularly changes involving ownership, shares or company structure, professional advice may be worthwhile.

Common Mistakes When Updating Companies House Information

Waiting until the annual confirmation statement

Some directors treat the confirmation statement as an annual opportunity to fix everything. That can be risky because some changes have separate reporting requirements.

Using the wrong address

A company may have a registered office, trading address and business correspondence address. These are not necessarily the same thing. Make sure you understand which address you are changing.

Forgetting PSC information

Changes in ownership can affect PSC reporting. Review control as well as share ownership.

Assuming Companies House updates HMRC automatically

Companies House and HMRC perform different functions. Updating your registered office with Companies House does not necessarily update every government department, bank, insurer or supplier. Review your other records separately.

Not checking the public register

A filing confirmation is not the end of the process. Check that the public record eventually reflects the intended change.

What Company Owners Should Update Outside Companies House

Updating Companies House is only one part of maintaining accurate company information. Depending on the change, you may also need to notify:

• HMRC
• Your bank
• Accountant
• Payroll provider
• Insurance company
• Payment processors
• Major customers
• Suppliers
• Business platforms
• Website and marketing channels
• Licensing or regulatory bodies

For example, changing a registered office may require updates across banking, insurance and supplier records. A good company administration system therefore treats a Companies House update as a trigger for a wider records review.

Special Considerations for Overseas Company Owners

International founders can operate UK companies from outside the country, but administration requires discipline. If you are based overseas, pay particular attention to:

Registered office access

Someone needs to be able to receive official correspondence.

Identity verification

Directors may need to complete Companies House identity verification as the new system is introduced.

Filing credentials

Keep authentication codes and account credentials secure and accessible to authorised people.

Tax obligations

Companies House filings and HMRC tax obligations are separate.

Professional administration

A company formation and management provider can be useful for founders who need help maintaining the practical side of UK company administration. IncorpUK is an example of a UK company formation and management platform for global founders. However, using a professional provider does not transfer the director's legal responsibilities. Directors remain responsible for ensuring that their company's information and filings are accurate and submitted on time.

A Practical Company Information Update Checklist

Use this checklist whenever something changes:

Identify

• What exactly has changed?
• When did it change?
• Does it have a statutory notification deadline?

Prepare

• Company number
• Authentication credentials
• New information
• Supporting documents where required
• Identity verification details where applicable

File

• Select the correct Companies House service
• Complete the filing carefully
• Review before submission
• Pay any applicable fee

Verify

• Save confirmation
• Monitor the filing status
• Check the public register
• Correct any rejection promptly

Review elsewhere

• HMRC
• Bank
• Accountant
• Insurance
• Contracts
• Website
• Other regulatory records

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can I update company information at Companies House?

Many online changes can be submitted quickly, but the time Companies House takes to process them varies by filing. Always allow sufficient time where a statutory deadline applies.

Can I update Companies House information myself?

Yes. Company directors can make many filings directly through Companies House online services. More complex changes may benefit from professional legal or accounting advice.

Do I need my Companies House authentication code?

Certain online filings require the company's authentication code. Other services may involve GOV.UK One Login and personal identity verification instead.

Can I change my registered office online?

Yes. A registered office change can generally be notified to Companies House online using the appropriate service.

Do I need to update Companies House when a director resigns?

Yes. A director's appointment or termination normally needs to be notified to Companies House using the appropriate filing rather than simply waiting for the next confirmation statement.

Can I change my PSC information online?

Many PSC changes can be reported online. Because PSC rules are detailed and evolving, check the applicable Companies House guidance for the specific change.

Does changing my Companies House address change my HMRC address?

Not necessarily. Companies House and HMRC are separate authorities. Review your HMRC records and update them separately where required.

What happens if I forget to update Companies House?

The consequences depend on the information involved and the relevant filing deadline. Delays can result in inaccurate public records, missed correspondence, compliance problems and, for certain filings, penalties or other enforcement action.

Can an accountant update my company information?

Yes. An accountant, company secretary or authorised professional adviser may be able to submit filings on your behalf. However, directors remain responsible for their company's legal compliance.

Conclusion

Updating company information at Companies House is not difficult when you understand which information has changed and which filing is required. The safest approach is to update information when the underlying change occurs, rather than allowing the public register to become outdated and trying to correct everything later.

Pay particular attention to registered office details, directors, PSCs, ownership information and identity-verification requirements. Keep your authentication credentials secure, retain filing confirmations and always check the public register after an important update. For UK founders, and especially those managing companies from overseas, accurate Companies House records are more than an administrative requirement. They help establish a reliable public corporate record that banks, investors, customers and business partners may rely on.

Good company administration is ultimately about staying ahead of changes rather than reacting to problems. By making Companies House updates part of your normal business routine, you can keep your company record accurate, reduce compliance risks and make the wider management of your UK company much easier.