Companies House
Companies House is the UK's registrar of companies, responsible for incorporating and dissolving limited companies, registering company information, and making it publicly available. All limited companies and LLPs must file accounts, confirmation statements, and notify Companies House of changes to directors, shareholders, or the registered office.
Companies House is an executive agency of the Department for Business and Trade, responsible for incorporating and maintaining the register of limited companies and LLPs in the UK. Every company must file an annual Confirmation Statement (within 14 days of the review period end), annual accounts (typically within 9 months of the accounting period end for private companies), and notify Companies House of changes to directors, shareholders, registered office, or persons of significant control (PSC). From March 2024, the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 introduced identity verification requirements for all new and existing directors. Failure to file on time triggers automatic penalties (starting at £150 rising to £1,500 for accounts more than 6 months late) and can result in compulsory strike-off. All information filed at Companies House is publicly available free of charge on the Companies House register.