I Made a Mistake on My Companies House Filing: Can It Be Corrected?

Yes. In many cases, a mistake on a Companies House filing can be corrected without closing your company or submitting an entirely new incorporation application. The important question is what kind of mistake you made and which filing contains it.

A simple typo, an incorrect shareholder detail, a wrong director address, an inaccurate statement of capital, or an error in a confirmation statement can all have different correction procedures. Companies House distinguishes between a document that contains a substantive error and one containing only a very minor or trivial inaccuracy. The distinction determines whether you normally need a replacement filing using RP01 or, in limited circumstances, a second filing using RP04. This guide explains how to identify the problem, which correction route may apply, and what founders should do before submitting another filing.

Can You Correct a Mistake on a Companies House Filing?

Yes. If information in a Companies House document is incorrect, Companies House provides a process for replacing the original filing in appropriate circumstances. Current Companies House guidance says a replacement document can be filed where some or all of the information in the original document is incorrect or the document contains missing information. The replacement process uses form RP01, together with the corrected document or information.

However, not every mistake requires a replacement. Very minor inaccuracies that do not affect the underlying meaning of the filing may qualify for a second filing using RP04. Companies House gives a misspelled street name such as "23 Station Roaad" instead of "23 Station Road" as an example of the type of trivial error that may qualify. So the first step is not to submit another form immediately. It is to determine whether the mistake is trivial, substantive, or relates to a transaction that never actually happened.

The Two Main Correction Routes

1. Replacement filing — RP01

A replacement filing is generally used where the original document was not properly delivered or contained unnecessary material, including factual inaccuracies that need correction. Companies House says that if some or all of the information in a document is incorrect, you can file a replacement document. The original must have been filed on or after 1 October 2009. For example, a replacement filing may be relevant where:

• a shareholder's information was entered incorrectly;
• a confirmation statement contains incorrect shareholder information;
• an SH01 contains incorrect allotment information;
• a PSC filing contains incorrect information;
• a director's details were incorrectly filed.

The precise replacement document depends on the original filing.

2. Second filing — RP04

RP04 is much narrower. Companies House describes a second filing as a way to correct a very minor or trivial inaccuracy in a document that was otherwise properly delivered. The original filing remains on the register. The corrected second filing is added to the record to explain the inaccuracy.

This is different from an RP01 replacement, where the purpose is to replace a filing that was not properly delivered or contained information requiring replacement. Companies House specifically warns that RP04 can only be used in very limited circumstances and that in most cases RP01 is the appropriate correction route.

Why the Difference Between RP01 and RP04 Matters

Consider two examples.

Example 1: Minor typo

A director's service address was entered as: 23 Station Roaad, instead of: 23 Station Road, The error does not change the identity or meaning of the address. This type of trivial inaccuracy may qualify for a second filing.

Example 2: Wrong address

The filing states: 32 Station Road, when the correct address is: 23 Station Road. That is materially different. It could identify a completely different property. Companies House's guidance specifically distinguishes this kind of substantive error from a trivial typographical mistake. The lesson is simple: Do not choose the correction form based solely on how small the typo looks. Ask whether the error changes the underlying meaning of the information.

Which Companies House Filings Can Be Replaced?

The replacement process applies to a range of company documents. Companies House currently allows online replacement filing for several common documents, including:

• AP01 — appointment of an individual director;
• PSC01 — notification of an individual PSC;
• CS01 — confirmation statement, including where statement of capital or shareholder information is incorrect;
• SH01 — return of allotment of shares.

Other documents may require a different submission process. This means you should first identify the original filing rather than searching for a generic "correction form."

What If I Made the Mistake During Company Formation?

Errors made during incorporation can be particularly confusing because the company has already been registered by the time you notice the problem. For example, you may discover that the original incorporation application contained:

• the wrong shareholder name;
• incorrect share numbers;
• the wrong director information;
• an incorrect date of birth;
• an inaccurate address;
• incorrect PSC information.

Do not assume that you need to form another company. Companies House has procedures for correcting information contained in incorporation-related filings. The appropriate procedure depends on exactly what information is wrong.

For certain director and PSC date-of-birth errors submitted through the original IN01, Companies House currently requires a replacement process involving RP01 and the relevant IN01 section, along with evidence of the correct date of birth. The broader principle is important: correct the original filing where the original filing is the source of the error.

What If the Error Is in a Confirmation Statement?

A confirmation statement, or CS01, can contain information that needs correction. For example, you may have filed a confirmation statement with:

• the wrong shareholder information;
• an incorrect statement of capital;
• inaccurate PSC information;
• another substantive mistake.

Companies House specifically allows online replacement of a CS01 where the statement of capital or shareholder information was incorrect. This is preferable to simply waiting until the next annual confirmation statement if the existing public record is already inaccurate.

What If I Entered the Wrong Shareholder?

This is one of the more important types of filing error. Suppose your company should show: Daniel Adeyemi — 1,000 ordinary shares but the filing says: Daniel Adedayo — 1,000 ordinary shares. If these are two different people, the issue is not simply a spelling mistake. You should establish:

1. who legally owns the shares;
2. what the incorporation documents say;
3. what the company's register of members says;
4. whether share certificates have been issued;
5. whether any money was paid for the shares;
6. whether the shareholder is also a PSC;
7. which Companies House filing contains the error.

If the underlying ownership is correct but the filing is wrong, a replacement filing may be appropriate. If the wrong person was actually issued the shares, the problem may involve the company's legal share ownership and should not be treated as an ordinary typo.

What If I Entered the Wrong Director Details?

Director errors can include:

• incorrect name;
• wrong date of birth;
• wrong nationality;
• wrong country of residence;
• incorrect service address;
• incorrect residential address.

The appropriate correction depends on which detail is wrong and which filing originally supplied it. Companies House has specific current guidance for correcting a director's date of birth because accurate identity information is important for the identity verification regime. The original filing containing the incorrect date of birth needs to be replaced, and the process differs depending on whether the director was registered during incorporation or appointed later. This is a good example of why you should identify the original source filing before attempting a correction.

What If the Error Involves a PSC?

A Person with Significant Control, or PSC, has specific information that must be maintained on the Companies House register. If the error relates to a PSC, check whether it appears on:

• the original incorporation filing;
• a PSC01;
• a confirmation statement;
• a PSC change-of-details filing.

Companies House currently lists PSC01 and PSC-related forms among the documents that can be corrected through the appropriate replacement process. PSC information deserves particular attention because it can be used in corporate due diligence and identity verification.

A mismatch between a person's legal identity and Companies House information can also create practical difficulties when dealing with banks, payment providers and other regulated businesses.

What If I Entered the Wrong Date of Birth?

This is an area where you should follow the dedicated Companies House procedure rather than improvising. Companies House states that an incorrect date of birth for a director or PSC should be corrected by replacing the original filing containing the error. The exact process depends on whether the person was registered through the incorporation application, a later AP01, PSC01 or confirmation statement.

For example, where a director or PSC was included in the original IN01, Companies House's current guidance requires the relevant RP01 process and supporting evidence. Where a director was appointed later using AP01, replacement can be submitted through WebFiling. This matters because identity verification depends on the information held by Companies House being accurate.

What If the Filing Records a Transaction That Never Happened?

This is a different situation again. Suppose someone files information stating that:

• shares were allotted when they were never allotted;
• a director was appointed when they were never appointed;
• a filing was submitted without the company's authority.

In these circumstances, simply replacing a document may not be the whole answer. Companies House has a separate process for removing information that should never have been delivered. Its guidance says the registrar may remove information where, for example, it is false or misleading, a document was sent without the company's knowledge or authorisation, or the document records a transaction that never occurred.

If you believe an unauthorised filing has been made against your company, you should provide Companies House with the relevant details and supporting evidence.

What Information Do You Need Before Filing a Correction?

Before submitting an RP01 or other correction, gather the original filing information. You will generally need to identify:

• company name;
• company number;
• type of original document;
• date the original document was registered;
• the specific information that is wrong;
• the correct information;
• the replacement document or relevant corrected information.

Companies House specifically requires the company name, company number, original document type and registration date for an RP01 replacement. You can normally find the original document and its registration date in the company's filing history.

Check Every Detail Before Submitting the Replacement

One of the easiest ways to create another rejection is to correct one error while introducing another. Companies House's current RP01 guidance specifically warns that information must match across the documents in the application, including:

• company name;
• company number;
• appointment dates;
• other information already shown on the register.

If the details do not match, the replacement filing may be rejected. Before submitting, compare the replacement against the company's existing record line by line.

A useful pre-submission checklist

Company identity

• Correct company name
• Correct company number

Person details

• Correct legal name
• Correct date of birth
• Correct nationality
• Correct country of residence
• Correct addresses where relevant

Share information

• Correct number of shares
• Correct class
• Correct nominal value
• Correct shareholder information

PSC information

• Correct person
• Correct nature of control
• Correct dates

Filing information

• Correct original document type
• Correct original registration date
• Correct replacement form

What Happens to the Original Filing?

This depends on the correction route. With a replacement filing, Companies House may remove the original document from the register once the replacement is properly accepted. The registrar's guidance explains that where a replacement is accepted, the original document may then be removed.

A second filing works differently. With an RP04 second filing, the original document remains on the register because it was properly delivered despite containing a trivial inaccuracy. The corrected filing is added to explain the error. This distinction can matter during due diligence. Someone reviewing the company's filing history may see evidence of the original error and its correction.

Can You Just File the Correct Information Again?

Not necessarily. Submitting another ordinary filing does not automatically correct an earlier inaccurate filing. Companies House specifically distinguishes between:

• replacement filings for documents requiring replacement; and
• second filings for very minor inaccuracies.

The current guidance states that RP04 is available only in very limited cases and that most errors should be dealt with through RP01. Filing the wrong type of document can leave the original error unresolved and potentially create additional inconsistencies.

What If Companies House Has Already Contacted You?

Take the notice seriously and compare it with the company's filing history. Companies House may contact a company about inconsistencies or inaccurate information. Its guidance says unresolved inconsistencies can indicate a mistake or a missing filing and recommends checking the company record and correcting errors in the filing history.

If Companies House specifically asks for a replacement document, follow the instructions in the notice and make sure the replacement filing addresses the identified issue.

When Should You Get Professional Advice?

Many straightforward administrative errors can be corrected directly. However, professional company-law or accounting advice can be worthwhile where:

• the wrong person was recorded as a shareholder;
• share ownership is disputed;
• shares have already been transferred;
• an investor is involved;
• different share classes are affected;
• a transaction was recorded that never happened;
• the filing was made without authorisation;
• multiple filings contradict each other;
• the correction could affect voting or ownership rights;
• the company has already completed significant transactions based on the incorrect information.

The bigger the legal or commercial consequence of the mistake, the less appropriate it is to treat the problem as a simple administrative typo.

Common Companies House Filing Mistakes to Avoid

Waiting until the next annual filing

If you know the public record is wrong, do not automatically wait for the next confirmation statement. The appropriate correction can often be made sooner.

Using RP04 for a substantive error

RP04 is designed for very minor inaccuracies. Companies House says it can only be used in very limited circumstances.

Treating every mistake as a new transaction

If you accidentally entered the wrong information, do not create a new appointment, share transfer or other transaction merely to make the register look correct.

Correcting one filing while ignoring another

If the same information appears in several filings, check all relevant records. Correcting a CS01, for example, does not necessarily resolve a separate incorrect PSC or director filing.

Assuming Companies House will automatically know what you intended

The registrar works from the information that was delivered. Your replacement filing needs to clearly identify what is being replaced and contain accurate information.

A Simple Decision Framework

When you discover a Companies House mistake, ask these five questions:

1. What exactly is wrong?
Identify the field, person, transaction or document.

2. Which filing created the error?
Find the original document in the filing history.

3. Is the error trivial or substantive?
A minor typo may potentially qualify for RP04; a substantive error generally points toward RP01.

4. Did the underlying transaction actually happen?
If it did not, you may need to consider Companies House's separate removal process.

5. Do other company records agree?
Check the company's statutory records, shareholder information, PSC information and related filings. This five-step approach prevents one of the most common mistakes: trying to fix a filing before understanding what the underlying legal position actually is.

FAQs

Can I correct a mistake after Companies House has accepted my filing?

Yes. Acceptance does not necessarily make an inaccurate filing permanent. Companies House provides replacement and second-filing procedures for appropriate errors.

What is the difference between RP01 and RP04?

RP01 is used to replace a previous document in circumstances covered by the replacement rules. RP04 is restricted to very minor or trivial inaccuracies in an otherwise properly delivered document.

Can I correct a mistake on my company incorporation filing?

Yes, depending on the error. Incorporation-related information can have specific correction procedures, and Companies House has dedicated guidance for certain errors in the original IN01, including incorrect director or PSC dates of birth.

Do I have to close my company if I made a mistake during incorporation?

Generally, no. A filing error is normally dealt with through the relevant correction process rather than by closing and reincorporating the business.

What if I entered the wrong shareholder name?

First determine whether it is simply a spelling or information error or whether a different person was actually recorded as the shareholder. If the filing is inaccurate, the appropriate replacement procedure may be available. If the legal ownership of shares is affected, additional company-law considerations may apply.

Can I correct a wrong director date of birth?

Yes. Companies House has a specific correction process requiring replacement of the original filing containing the incorrect date of birth. The process depends on how the director was originally registered.

Will the original incorrect filing disappear from Companies House?

With a replacement filing, Companies House may remove the original document after accepting the replacement. With an RP04 second filing, the original remains on the register and the correction is added alongside it.

What if someone filed information about my company without permission?

Companies House has a process for reporting information that should never have been delivered, including filings made without the company's knowledge or authorisation or records of transactions that never occurred. Supporting evidence should be provided.

How quickly will Companies House correct my filing?

Processing time depends on the type of filing and current Companies House workload. Some corrections can be submitted online, while others require paper documentation. For example, Companies House currently warns that certain identity-information corrections can take up to 20 working days because of demand.

Conclusion

A mistake on a Companies House filing is usually a correction problem, not a company-formation disaster. The most important thing is to identify the original filing and understand the nature of the error before submitting anything else. A substantive error may require a replacement filing under the RP01 process, while a very minor inaccuracy may qualify for a second filing using RP04. If the filing records a transaction that never happened or was made without authorisation, a separate removal process may be relevant.

For founders, accuracy matters beyond keeping the Companies House page tidy. Company information can be reviewed by banks, investors, payment providers, accountants, lawyers and potential buyers during due diligence. If you discover an error, act methodically: identify the original filing, establish the correct information, determine the appropriate correction route, check related company records, and submit the correction carefully.

For global founders managing a UK company remotely, keeping these records consistent is an important part of ongoing company administration. IncorpUK, a UK company formation and management platform for global founders, can form part of that wider administrative workflow, while complex ownership, legal or disputed-record issues may warrant advice from a qualified professional.