If you run a UK limited company, you will eventually need to submit information to Companies House. For many businesses, that means filing accounts, confirmation statements and changes to company officers or other registered information. One of the established ways to do this is Companies House WebFiling.

WebFiling is Companies House's online filing service that allows companies and authorised users to submit a range of documents electronically rather than sending paper forms by post. It remains available for many company filing tasks, although Companies House is progressively moving services to newer online systems and software-based filing.

This distinction matters. "WebFiling" is not simply another name for the entire Companies House website. It is a specific filing system, and not every company or every type of document can be filed through it. This guide explains what WebFiling is, what you can use it for, how the process works, who can use it, and what company directors should know about its changing role.

What Is Companies House WebFiling?

Companies House WebFiling is an online service that allows companies to electronically submit certain statutory information to the Registrar of Companies. It can be used for tasks such as filing eligible company accounts, confirmation statements, director and secretary changes, registered office changes and other company information.

The service requires users to authenticate themselves before submitting information on behalf of a company. Traditionally, this has involved a company authentication code, which is a six-character alphanumeric code linked to the company. Companies House describes the authentication code as the equivalent of an officer's signature for online filings.

In practical terms, WebFiling provides a bridge between your company's legal obligations and the Companies House register. For example, suppose you have a UK private limited company and move its registered office from one address to another. Rather than completing a paper form and posting it, an eligible company can submit the change electronically through the appropriate Companies House online service.

What Can You File Through WebFiling?

The exact options available depend on the company and the filing involved. Companies House currently states that WebFiling can be used for several categories of information, including:

• Annual accounts for eligible companies
• Confirmation statements
• Director information
• Secretary information
• Registered office changes
• Company name changes
• Certain share and capital information
• Certain charge-related filings
• Email reminders for filing deadlines

Companies House's WebFiling guidance also confirms that changes to company addresses, directors and secretaries can be submitted electronically. However, there is an important qualification: not every filing can be completed through WebFiling. Some filings require paper forms, commercial filing software, another Companies House online service or a different authentication process. For example, Companies House is developing newer digital filing services, while some types of accounts are increasingly being filed using software.

WebFiling vs the Companies House Website

This is one of the most common sources of confusion. The Companies House website contains several different services. WebFiling is one of them. You might use the Companies House website to:

1. Search for a company.
2. View its public record.
3. Read its filing history.
4. Check its directors.
5. View registered office information.
6. File information for your own company.
7. Order certified documents.
8. Access other Companies House services.

WebFiling specifically relates to electronic filing and company administration. So, if someone tells you to "check Companies House", that does not necessarily mean you need to log into WebFiling. If they tell you to "file the company's confirmation statement online", WebFiling or the relevant newer Companies House filing service may be what you need.

How Does Companies House WebFiling Work?

The basic process is relatively straightforward.

Step 1: Create or access your Companies House filing account

You need the appropriate Companies House account credentials for the service you are using. WebFiling has its own registration and sign-in process, although Companies House is gradually moving access to some services toward GOV.UK One Login. This transition means the exact sign-in experience may change over time.

Step 2: Identify your company

You will generally need your company's:

• Registered company name
• Company registration number
• Authentication credentials

Your company number is particularly important because it uniquely identifies the business on the Companies House register.

Step 3: Authenticate the company

For many WebFiling transactions, you need the company's authentication code. Companies House issues this code by post to the company's registered office. If a company already has a code, a reminder can be requested. Companies House states that delivery can take up to five days and that, for security reasons, the code cannot be supplied by email or telephone.

The authentication code should be treated as confidential. Anyone who has access to it may be able to submit changes on behalf of the company through online filing services.

Step 4: Select the filing you need

Once authenticated, WebFiling presents the filing options available for the company. The available forms depend on factors such as the company's structure, type of filing and information already held on the register.

Step 5: Enter and review the information

This is where directors need to slow down. Online filing is convenient, but convenience does not remove legal responsibility. Check names, dates, addresses, share information and other details carefully before submission.

Step 6: Submit the filing

After submission, Companies House processes the information. Depending on the filing, it may be accepted, rejected or require further action. A successful electronic submission should generate confirmation that the filing has been received, but receiving an acknowledgement is not necessarily the same thing as assuming that every filing has been accepted without issue.

What Is a Companies House Authentication Code?

A Companies House authentication code is a confidential six-character code used to authorise online filings for a company. It is sometimes compared to a company's online PIN. The code is associated with the company rather than being a personal password for an individual director. Companies House says the same company authentication code can be used for the company's online filing services and certain third-party software.

Why is the code important?

Imagine that your accountant has been handling your company's Companies House filings. If the accountant has your authentication code, they may be able to submit filings for your company. That is useful when the relationship is active. But if you change accountants or an employee who knew the code leaves the business, you should consider changing the code.

Companies House specifically advises changing the code if it becomes known to someone who is no longer authorised to file for the company. This is particularly important for small businesses where filing responsibilities may move between founders, accountants, virtual assistants and company formation agents.

Who Can Use WebFiling?

WebFiling is available for many UK companies, but there are eligibility restrictions. Companies House states that WebFiling can be used by companies with numeric company numbers and certain prefixes, including NI, R0 and SC for limited companies and certain prefixes for limited liability partnerships.

There are also restrictions on specific transactions. For example, some companies cannot use WebFiling for confirmation statements because of their shareholder structure, number of officers, PSC arrangements or other complexities. The lesson is simple: do not assume that every UK company can file every document through WebFiling. If the online service does not offer the filing you need, check the relevant Companies House guidance rather than trying to force the wrong filing route.

WebFiling and Confirmation Statements

A confirmation statement is an annual filing used to confirm that the information Companies House holds about a company is correct. Companies House now has a newer online confirmation statement service for certain private companies limited by shares. The current service is available where the company has:

• One shareholder
• Between one and five officers
• Five or fewer PSCs
• Provided Companies House personal codes for all directors

Companies that do not meet those criteria may need to use WebFiling instead. This is a good example of why older articles about Companies House can become misleading: the filing landscape is changing. The correct question is not simply "Can I use WebFiling?" It is:

Which Companies House filing service is currently appropriate for this particular company and filing?

Is WebFiling Free?

There is no single answer because Companies House applies different fees to different filings. Some changes can be submitted electronically without a filing fee, while others carry charges. For example, Companies House currently lists electronic fees for certain transactions, including confirmation statements and company name changes.

You should therefore check the fee applicable to the specific filing before submitting it. The cost can also differ depending on whether you file online or by paper. For example, Companies House currently states that a confirmation statement filed through its newer online service costs £50, while the paper CS01 route costs £110.

WebFiling vs Software Filing

Larger businesses, accountants and companies with more complex filing requirements often use commercial software. Software filing connects approved software to Companies House systems and can be particularly useful when filing accounts. Companies House says software filing offers advantages such as faster delivery, immediate acknowledgement, automated acceptance or rejection notifications and validation that can reduce errors.

There is also a significant long-term change underway. Companies House states that from 1 April 2028, all companies must file annual accounts using commercial software. For founders, this means WebFiling should not be viewed as the permanent answer to every future filing requirement. It is better to understand the broader Companies House filing ecosystem and choose the correct route for the document you need to submit.

Common Problems With WebFiling

You have lost your authentication code

This is one of the most common problems. Companies House does not provide the code by telephone or email for security reasons. A replacement or reminder is sent to the registered office. If a filing deadline is approaching, request the code early rather than waiting until the final day.

Your registered office is outdated

This creates a practical problem. If Companies House sends your authentication code to the registered office and you no longer have access to that address, obtaining the code becomes more complicated. This is one reason keeping your registered office information current matters.

Your filing is rejected

Online filing systems use validation checks, but errors can still occur. Common causes include:

• Incorrect company information
• Inconsistent share information
• Missing required details
• Invalid dates
• Incorrect accounts format
• Information that does not match Companies House records
• Using an unsuitable filing service

If a filing is rejected, read the rejection message carefully and correct the underlying issue rather than repeatedly submitting the same information.

The service you need is unavailable

Not every filing is available through WebFiling. Companies House provides several filing routes, including online services, software filing and paper forms.

WebFiling and the Future of Companies House

Companies House is undergoing a significant digital transformation. Identity verification has become part of the new regulatory framework, and Companies House is also introducing changes around authorised corporate service providers and online filing. The Registrar's rules have also been updated during 2026 as new requirements and filing processes come into force.

For business owners, the practical takeaway is important: Do not build your compliance process around one website screen or one filing method. Instead, maintain a reliable system for tracking:

• Accounts deadlines
• Confirmation statement deadlines
• Director changes
• Share changes
• Registered office changes
• PSC information
• Company authentication credentials
• Identity verification requirements

For international founders using a UK company formation and management platform such as IncorpUK, this distinction is particularly useful. The objective should be maintaining an accurate UK company record, not simply finding the quickest button to submit a form.

How to Use WebFiling Safely

A sensible filing routine can prevent many problems.

Keep the authentication code secure

Treat it like a sensitive company credential. Do not leave it in shared email accounts, public documents or unsecured messaging apps.

Keep your registered office accessible

Important Companies House correspondence can be sent there, including authentication-code letters.

Check the register regularly

Don't wait until your annual filing is due. Review your company's public record periodically for:

• Directors
• Registered office
• PSC information
• Share capital
• Filing history
• Company status

Keep evidence of submissions

Save filing confirmations, documents submitted and relevant board resolutions. This creates an audit trail if questions arise later.

Don't confuse Companies House compliance with tax compliance

Companies House and HMRC are separate government bodies. A filing with Companies House does not automatically satisfy every tax obligation to HMRC. For example, a company's annual accounts filing and its Corporation Tax obligations are related but distinct responsibilities.

Frequently Asked Questions About WebFiling

Is Companies House WebFiling still available?

Yes. WebFiling remains an active Companies House filing service for many types of company information. However, Companies House is introducing newer digital services and moving some processes toward software filing and GOV.UK One Login.

What is WebFiling used for?

It can be used for various company filings, including eligible accounts, confirmation statements, director and secretary changes and other company information.

Do I need an authentication code to use WebFiling?

Many company filings require the company's authentication code. Some newer Companies House services have different authentication arrangements, so the requirement depends on the service and filing.

Where does Companies House send the authentication code?

The company authentication code is posted to the company's registered office. Companies House says it can take up to five days to arrive.

Can my accountant use WebFiling for my company?

Yes, an accountant or other authorised person can file information for a company, provided they have the appropriate access and authority. If someone who previously had access is no longer authorised, the company should review its security arrangements and consider changing its authentication code.

Is WebFiling the same as the Companies House website?

No. WebFiling is one of several Companies House services. The wider Companies House website also provides company searches, filing histories, document access and other services.

Can I file company accounts through WebFiling?

Some types of accounts can still be filed through WebFiling, depending on the company and accounts type. Companies House is increasingly moving accounts filing toward software, with mandatory commercial software filing for annual accounts scheduled from 1 April 2028.

Can I file a confirmation statement online without WebFiling?

For certain simple private companies, yes. Companies House has a newer confirmation statement service for companies meeting specific criteria. Other companies may need to continue using WebFiling.

What happens if I cannot use WebFiling?

The correct alternative depends on the filing. Companies House provides other online services, software filing and paper filing routes for different circumstances.

Conclusion

Companies House WebFiling is an important part of the UK's digital company administration system. It allows eligible businesses to submit many statutory filings electronically, making routine compliance considerably easier than relying on paper forms.

But WebFiling is only one part of the picture. Companies House is moving toward a more digital, software-driven and identity-focused filing environment. Some filings already use newer services, while annual accounts will eventually move entirely to commercial software filing.

For company directors, the best approach is therefore straightforward: keep your company information accurate, understand which filing applies to your situation, protect your authentication credentials and monitor Companies House for changes to filing requirements. Used properly, WebFiling can make company administration faster and simpler. The real advantage, however, comes from treating Companies House compliance as an ongoing business responsibility rather than something to deal with once a year.