Companies House is designed to make key information about UK companies available to the public. That transparency is useful for customers, investors, lenders, suppliers and anyone checking whether a business is legitimate, but it also means founders and directors need to understand exactly what can be seen.

The important distinction is that not everything submitted to Companies House is publicly displayed. Some information is placed on the public register, while other details are collected by Companies House but kept on a private register or disclosed only to certain authorities. This guide explains what information is public at Companies House, what remains private, how long records remain available, and what business owners can do if personal information has been disclosed incorrectly or creates a serious safety risk.

What Is the Companies House Public Register?

Companies House is the UK's registrar of companies. It maintains the official register of companies incorporated in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The register allows anyone to inspect information about registered companies. Companies House says that most information registered on the public register is available to the public.

This serves an important purpose. If you are considering doing business with a UK company, you can investigate its basic corporate information without relying entirely on what the company's website or sales team tells you. For example, you can typically check:

• Whether a company exists
• Its registered name and company number
• Whether it is active or dissolved
• Its registered office
• Its directors and officers
• Certain information about people with significant control
• Filing history
• Accounts and confirmation statements
• Share capital information
• Charges registered against the company
• Insolvency-related information, where applicable

The public register is therefore much more than a company directory. It provides a historical record of important corporate events and filings.

What Information Is Public at Companies House?

The precise information available depends on the type of company, the documents filed and the circumstances involved. However, several categories are routinely available.

1. Company Name and Company Number

A company's registered name and unique company number are public. The company number is particularly useful because names can be similar or can change over time. For example, a search for "ABC Consulting Ltd" may produce several businesses with similar names. The company number allows you to identify the exact legal entity. A company may also have changed its name during its lifetime. Its Companies House record can provide evidence of previous registered names.

Why this matters

If you are signing a contract, making a payment or performing due diligence, checking the company number is often more reliable than relying on a trading name.

2. Company Status

Companies House displays the company's current status, such as whether it is:

• Active
• Dissolved
• In liquidation
• In administration
• In another insolvency or restructuring process

A company's status can provide an important first indication of whether it is currently operating as a registered legal entity. However, "active" should not be interpreted as proof that a company is financially healthy. Companies House records are valuable due-diligence information, but they are not a substitute for a full financial or legal investigation.

3. Registered Office Address

A company's registered office address is public. This is the company's official address for receiving legal documents and formal correspondence. Companies House states that the registered office must be an appropriate address in the same UK jurisdiction in which the company is registered. The address can be:

• The company's own premises
• An accountant's office
• A solicitor's office
• A company formation or registered-office service
• Another suitable business address

Does the registered office have to be the director's home?

No. This is an important distinction for founders operating from home. If a director uses their home as the company's registered office, that address will generally appear on the public register. Using a separate registered office can therefore help keep a home address away from the public company register.

4. Directors' Information

Some information about company directors is publicly available. Companies House states that the public register can show a director's:

• Name
• Nationality
• Month and year of birth
• Service address

The director's usual residential address is not normally displayed publicly. This distinction is important because directors must provide their residential address to Companies House, but it is held on a private register rather than being routinely available to everyone searching the public register. The director's full date of birth is similarly not public. Companies House displays only the month and year for directors appointed after 10 October 2015.

5. Directors' Service Addresses

A director's service address is public. The service address is where formal communications for the director can be sent. It can be the same as the company's registered office, but it does not have to be. For founders who work from home, this distinction can be significant. Using your home as a service address can result in your home address being visible on the public register. A suitable alternative service address can provide greater separation between your personal life and your company's public records.

6. People With Significant Control (PSCs)

Companies House also publishes information about people with significant control, commonly called PSCs. A PSC is generally an individual or legal entity that exercises significant ownership or control over a company. For an individual PSC, public information can include details such as:

• Name
• Month and year of birth
• Nationality
• Country or state of residence
• Nature of their control over the company
• Date they became a PSC

The PSC register is an important part of the UK's corporate transparency framework because it helps identify who ultimately owns or controls a business. For investors and commercial partners, this can be particularly useful when determining whether the person presenting themselves as the founder or owner is actually recorded as having significant control.

7. Filing History

A company's filing history is public. This is one of the most useful parts of the Companies House register for due diligence. Depending on the company, you may find filings relating to:

• Annual accounts
• Confirmation statements
• Changes of directors
• Changes of registered office
• Changes of company name
• Share capital
• Persons with significant control
• Charges
• Certain resolutions
• Insolvency proceedings

The filing history can reveal how a company has changed over time. For example, a company that appears straightforward today may have previously had different directors, shareholders, names or financial circumstances.

A practical due-diligence approach

Don't just look at the company's latest filing. Compare the latest information with older filings. Changes over time can sometimes tell you more than a single snapshot.

8. Company Accounts

Many companies are required to file accounts at Companies House, and those documents can become publicly accessible. The amount of financial information available depends on the company's size, type and filing requirements. Depending on the circumstances, accounts may provide information about:

• Turnover
• Profit or loss
• Assets
• Liabilities
• Shareholders' funds
• Employees
• Directors' reports
• Accounting policies

However, not every company is required to publish the same level of detail. This is particularly relevant when comparing small private companies with larger businesses. A small company may have significantly less financial information available publicly than a large company.

9. Share Capital Information

Companies House records information concerning a company's share capital. This can include details such as:

• Number of shares
• Share classes
• Nominal value
• Share capital
• Certain changes to share structure

Companies may also file documents relating to the allotment of new shares. However, there is an important distinction between share capital information and a complete, continuously updated public shareholder list. The public record can provide substantial information about a company's ownership structure, but you should understand the specific document and date you are examining before drawing conclusions about current ownership.

10. Charges and Security Interests

Companies can register charges against their assets. A charge is commonly used when a lender takes security over company assets in connection with financing. Companies House can therefore provide information about registered charges, including details relevant to the security arrangement and whether a charge has been satisfied. For a lender, investor or significant supplier, checking a company's charges can be an important part of assessing its financial position.

What Information Is Not Normally Public?

Understanding what is private is just as important as understanding what is public.

A Director's Residential Address

A director must provide their usual residential address to Companies House, but it is not normally displayed on the public register. Companies House confirms that the residential address is held on a private register and may be provided to credit reference agencies and specified public authorities in appropriate circumstances.

The Full Date of Birth

The director's full date of birth is collected but is not normally publicly displayed. Only the month and year are shown publicly for relevant director appointments.

Certain Protected Information

There are circumstances where individuals can apply to protect information from public disclosure. For example, a director, LLP member or PSC who faces a serious risk because of their role or circumstances may be able to apply for protection of certain personal information. Protection is not automatic simply because someone would prefer their details to remain private. Applicants must meet the relevant requirements and provide supporting evidence where required.

Is a Company's Email Address Public?

This depends on the particular information involved. Companies House may hold contact information associated with a company, but not every piece of information provided to Companies House is necessarily displayed on the public register. Founders should therefore distinguish between: Information filed for public registration and contact or administrative information supplied to Companies House. This distinction is particularly important when considering company email addresses, telephone numbers and personal contact details.

What About Identity Verification Information?

Identity verification is a newer part of the Companies House system. Mandatory identity verification for directors and PSCs began on 18 November 2025, with a 12-month transition period determining when individuals must complete the process. When an authorised corporate service provider (ACSP) verifies someone's identity, Companies House can display an identity verification statement showing:

• The person's name
• The ACSP's name
• The relevant AML supervisory bodies
• The date the identity checks were completed

This does not mean that the underlying identity documents, such as a passport or driving licence, become publicly available. The public register shows the verification status information, not a copy of the identity document used during the check.

How Long Does Companies House Keep Public Information?

Companies House does not simply remove a company's history when the company stops trading. Its privacy guidance states that records of dissolved companies are retained for 20 years before being transferred to The National Archives. This means information filed during a company's lifetime can remain accessible for many years. For founders, that creates an important practical lesson: Treat every Companies House filing as a long-term corporate record, not a temporary online entry. An incorrect filing may therefore continue to matter long after the original mistake was made.

Can You Remove Information From Companies House?

Sometimes, but the answer depends on the type of information and why you want it removed. Companies House has procedures for correcting certain information and for applying to protect specific personal details. For example, there are procedures covering information such as:

• Home addresses
• Occupation
• Signatures
• The day of a director's date of birth

There are also procedures for correcting inaccurate information. However, Companies House is not designed to function like a social media profile where users can simply delete anything they no longer want online. The public register exists because company information has legal and commercial significance.

Why Public Companies House Information Matters for Founders

For a founder, transparency can feel like a trade-off. On one hand, publicly available corporate information helps establish credibility. Customers, suppliers, investors and lenders can independently verify your company's existence and key details. On the other hand, publishing personal and corporate information creates privacy considerations. This is particularly relevant for:

• Home-based founders
• Overseas entrepreneurs establishing UK companies
• Directors operating multiple businesses
• Investors
• Public-facing entrepreneurs
• Individuals with legitimate security concerns

A sensible approach is to understand the information that must be public before incorporating or making a filing, rather than discovering the implications afterwards. IncorpUK, as a UK company formation and management platform serving global founders, sits within this broader ecosystem where understanding Companies House requirements is important for making informed corporate decisions.

How to Check What Is Public About a Company

You can review a company's public record through the Companies House online service. A practical process is:

Step 1: Find the company

Search using the company's registered name or company number.

Step 2: Check the company overview

Review:

• Current status
• Registered office
• Incorporation date
• Company type
• Key officers

Step 3: Review people

Look at the directors and PSC information.

Step 4: Open the filing history

Review recent and historical filings rather than relying only on the overview page.

Step 5: Examine documents where necessary

If you're performing due diligence, open relevant accounts, confirmation statements, resolutions or other filings.

Step 6: Check dates carefully

Companies House records are time-sensitive. A document filed several years ago may describe the company at that point rather than today.

Common Mistakes When Reviewing Companies House Information

There are several traps worth avoiding.

Mistake 1: Assuming "active" means financially healthy

It doesn't. Company status and financial health are different questions.

Mistake 2: Confusing a trading name with the legal company

A business may trade under a brand that differs from its registered company name.

Mistake 3: Looking only at the latest filing

Historical filings can reveal important changes.

Mistake 4: Assuming every public record is current

There can be delays between real-world events and filings.

Mistake 5: Treating Companies House as a complete due-diligence report

Companies House is an authoritative statutory register, but it does not independently guarantee that every statement made by a company is commercially accurate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is everything filed with Companies House public?

No. Companies House collects some information that is not placed on the public register. For example, a director's usual residential address and full date of birth are generally kept privately.

Can anyone search Companies House?

Yes. The Companies House register is designed to be publicly accessible, allowing people to inspect information about registered companies.

Can I see a director's home address?

Normally, no. A director's usual residential address is kept on a private register. However, a home address used as a public service or registered office address may appear on the public register.

Can I see a director's full date of birth?

No. The full date of birth is not normally publicly displayed. For relevant directors, the public register shows the month and year of birth.

Can I see who owns a UK company?

Companies House provides information about shareholders and people with significant control through relevant public filings and registers. However, the precise ownership information available depends on the company's structure and filings.

Does Companies House show company accounts?

Where a company is required to file accounts, the relevant accounts can be available through its Companies House record. The amount of financial detail depends on the company's circumstances and applicable filing requirements.

Can information be removed from Companies House?

Certain information can potentially be corrected, removed or protected under specific procedures. Companies House has dedicated processes for matters such as removing certain personal information and protecting individuals facing serious risks.

Does Companies House keep records after a company is dissolved?

Yes. Companies House states that records of dissolved companies are retained for 20 years before being transferred to The National Archives.

Is Companies House information available outside the UK?

Yes. The Companies House register is publicly accessible online, including from outside the UK.

Conclusion: Know What Becomes Public Before You File

Companies House transparency is a fundamental feature of the UK's company registration system. It allows anyone to investigate key information about a business, from its legal identity and registered office to directors, PSCs, filing history, accounts and certain ownership information. But transparency does not mean that every piece of personal information becomes public.

Directors' residential addresses and full dates of birth are generally kept private, while certain public information can be protected in limited circumstances where the legal requirements are met. For founders, the practical lesson is straightforward: understand the public record before submitting information to Companies House. Choose appropriate registered and service addresses, keep filings accurate, monitor your company's record and act quickly when something needs correcting.

A Companies House record is more than an administrative requirement. It becomes part of your company's long-term corporate history and, for anyone researching the business, it can be one of the first places they look.