Changing information on Companies House: Filing fees, process, and compliance

15th January 2026

Running a limited company is rarely static. Over time, businesses grow, restructure, relocate, or change direction, and when that happens, the information held by Companies House must be updated to reflect those changes accurately. If you’re feeling uncertain about where to start when changing information for the online register, 99p Company Formations have got you covered. We know Companies House like the back of our hand. That’s why we’ve taken the time to dissect all the information you need to know about the fees, processes, compliance, and deadlines involved.

Whether you are making a simple address update or managing more complex ownership changes, keeping your company records accurate is essential to protecting your business.

Why is updating Companies House important?

Companies House is the official registrar of companies in the UK. The information held on its public register is relied upon by banks, lenders, suppliers, investors, credit agencies, and HMRC. When your company details are inaccurate or out of date, it can create practical and legal issues that put your company at risk.

From a compliance perspective, directors have a legal responsibility to ensure that statutory information is correct and up to date. Failure to meet this obligation can result in penalties or even the risk of the company being struck off the register. From a commercial perspective, inaccurate records can delay funding applications, disrupt contractual agreements, and damage trust with third parties.

Keeping your Companies House information accurate helps demonstrate that your business is well managed and keeps UK businesses in line with the country’s high standard of corporate law.

When should you update information on Companies House?

Timing is critical when updating company details. You should alert Companies House of any changes as soon as possible to avoid missing deadlines. Many individuals assume that updates can wait until their confirmation statement, but Companies House has strict deadlines to make sure the public registry is up to date and that investors, customers, HMRC, and others have access to accurate information about your business.

You must tell Companies House within 14 days if there are any changes to:

• Company secretaries and directors or their personal details

• People with significant control (PSCs) or their personal details

• The company’s registered address

• The address where the company keeps their records

Which information can be changed on Companies House?

You can change almost any piece of information about your company on Companies House. If there are any adjustments to the following information, you must report them as soon as possible:

• Company address

• Company name

• Directors, shareholders, PSCs, and company secretaries

• The address where the company keeps its records

• Company structure

• Share structure

• Accounting reference date

• Company accountant

• Articles of association

How to change information on Companies House

You can change information on Companies House by filling out their online WebFiling form, or via a third party formation agent like 99p Company Formations.

The general process includes:

1. Identifying the correct form or online filing option

2. Submitting accurate and complete information

3. Paying any applicable Companies House fee

4. Awaiting confirmation that the change has been accepted

Errors or incomplete submissions can result in rejection, requiring the process to be repeated. Using a service like 99p Company Formations simplifies the process by ensuring the correct filings are completed accurately and efficiently.

Companies House Filing Fees

One question we are asked frequently by directors and business owners is: ‘How much does it cost to update company information with Companies House?’

The answer depends on the type of change you need to make. Some updates are free, while others incur a statutory filing fee set by Companies House. All fees below are sourced directly from the official schedule published by Companies House. 

Free changes (no Companies House fee)

Several routine updates to your company details do not carry a filing fee. These include:

• Appointing or resigning a director

• Appointing or removing a company secretary

• Updating director or PSC details

• Changing SIC codes

• Most shareholder changes (such as updating shareholdings)

Changes that do incur a fee

Some changes are specifically defined as fee paying in the Companies House fee schedule. These include:

 

Company Name Change:

 

Registration of a Charge:

Can information changes wait until the confirmation statement?

Some business owners assume all updates can wait until the annual confirmation statement; this is a common misunderstanding.

Certain changes must be reported as they happen, including:

• Director appointments or resignations

• PSC changes

• Registered office changes

Updating your statutory registers and company records

Updating Companies House is only one part of your legal obligation as a company director. Limited companies are also required to keep accurate internal statutory registers, which must reflect the same changes you submit to Companies House.

If changes such as director appointments, share transfers, or PSC updates are made, your internal records must be updated at the same time. Even if Companies House has accepted the filing, failure to maintain accurate statutory registers can still result in compliance issues. For many small businesses, these records are overlooked, particularly when changes occur infrequently.

Statutory registers typically include:

• Register of directors

• Register of shareholders

• Register of People with Significant Control (PSC)

• Register of company secretaries (if applicable)

How long do changes take to appear on the public register?

After submitting a change to Companies House, it will not always appear on the public register immediately. Processing times can vary depending on the type of filing and how it is submitted.

Once accepted, the change becomes part of your company’s official public record. If a filing is rejected, Companies House will usually notify the filer with an explanation, allowing corrections to be made. In general:

• Online submissions are usually processed within 24 to 48 hours

• Paper filings can take significantly longer

What happens if changes are filed late or incorrectly?

Failing to update company information correctly or within the required timeframe can have serious consequences. Directors are legally responsible for ensuring that company records are accurate and up to date.

Potential consequences include:

• Financial penalties

• Increased scrutiny from Companies House

• Prosecution for persistent non compliance

• Risk of company strike off

• Reputational damage and loss of trust

Even unintentional errors can cause delays or trigger follow up action. This is why accuracy is just as important as timeliness when filing changes.

Changes that must be reported immediately vs annually

One of the most common misunderstandings among business owners is assuming that all changes can be reported through the annual confirmation statement. In reality, some updates must be reported as soon as they occur.

Changes that must be reported immediately include:

• Appointment or resignation of directors

• Changes to PSCs

• Registered office address changes

Changes that can be confirmed annually include:

• Shareholder details (if already reported correctly)

• Statement of capital confirmation

• General company information review

When to use a formation agent vs filing yourself

Some business owners choose to file Companies House updates themselves, particularly for simple changes. However, there are situations where using a professional service can save time and reduce risk.

Using a formation agent may be beneficial if:

• You’re unfamiliar with Companies House forms

• Multiple changes are being made at once

• Ownership or PSC details are changing

• You want reassurance that filings are completed correctly

Keeping your Companies House records accurate is a legal responsibility and an essential part of running a professional business. Understanding the filing process, applicable fees, and compliance deadlines helps protect your company from unnecessary risks.

With 99p Company Formations, you can make changes confidently, knowing that your filings are handled correctly and efficiently, allowing you to focus on growing your business rather than managing paperwork.