- Companies House implemented significant fee increases on , with incorporation fees rising by over 300% and confirmation statements increasing by over 50%.
- A second round of fee increases takes effect on , with digital incorporation fees doubling from £50 to £100 and confirmation statements rising from £34 to £50.
- These increases fund Companies House’s enhanced powers under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act , including identity verification and improved data quality.
- Paper filings are becoming progressively more expensive compared to digital submissions, reflecting a clear push toward full digitalisation.
- The voluntary strike-off fee will decrease to £13 (digital) in , making it cheaper to close dormant companies.
Why the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act is driving Companies House Fee Increases
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA) is a landmark UK legislation designed to combat economic crime, enhance corporate transparency, and improve the integrity of the Companies House register. Enacted to address issues of financial crime and opaque ownership structures, ECCTA introduces significant new powers and requirements for Companies House, directly necessitating the recent and upcoming statutory fee adjustments.
Key changes driving increased operational costs include:
- Registered office and Contact Requirements (): UK companies must now provide a physical UK address as their registered office (not just a PO box). New companies must supply a registered email address at incorporation, while existing companies must update contact details in their next confirmation statement.
- Mandatory Identity verification (): All new directors, PSCs, and LLP members must complete identity verification at appointment from . Existing officeholders have until to verify their identity through GOV.UK One Login or an ACSP.
- Enhanced Investigation Powers: The Serious Fraud Office and National Crime Agency can now compel businesses to provide information at the pre-investigation stage and on suspected money laundering activities.
- Strengthened Companies House Authority: Companies House can query and remove false or misleading information from registers, refuse incorrect filings, and take more robust enforcement action against non-compliance.
- Corporate Accountability for Fraud: A new ‘failure to prevent fraud’ offence holds large corporations accountable if they fail to prevent fraud by their employees or associated persons.
Understanding the Companies House Fee Adjustments
Effective , Companies House initiated its first major fee adjustments, specifically in response to the ECCTA funding requirements. Key fee changes implemented on this date were:
- Digital incorporation: Increased from £12 to £50 (a 317% rise).
- Confirmation statements: Rose from £13 to £34 (a 161% increase).
- Same-day incorporation: Increased from £30 to £78 (a 160% increase).
Across all categories, paper filings saw proportionally steeper fee increases on . These specific fee adjustments were essential for Companies House to finance its expanded regulatory duties under the ECCTA, which include new identity verification systems, improved data quality controls, and enhanced enforcement capabilities.
: The Second Round of Significant Fee Increases
To sustain enhanced services, Companies House will implement a second round of fee increases, effective , following the adjustments. These upcoming changes are designed to ensure financial sustainability on a cost-recovery basis and to further support the enhanced services and investigatory powers granted under the ECCTA, alongside the Insolvency Service’s enforcement activities.
LIMITED COMPANY FEE CHANGES
| Incorporation Type | ||
|---|---|---|
| Digital Incorporation (Standard) | £50 | £100 |
| Same-Day Incorporation (Digital/Software) | £78 | £156 |
| Paper Incorporation | £71 | £124 |
| Digital Confirmation Statement | £34 | £50 |
| Paper Confirmation Statement | £62 | £110 |
| Digital Strike-Off | £33 | £13 |
| Paper Strike-Off | £44 | £18 |
| Change of Name (Same Day) | £83 | £85 |
| Registration of a Charge | £24 | £14 |
| Administrative Restoration (Paper) | £468 | £341 |
LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIP (LLP) FEE CHANGES
| Incorporation Type | ||
|---|---|---|
| Digital Registration (Standard) | £50 | £100 |
| Same-Day Registration (Digital) | £78 | £156 |
| Paper Registration | £71 | £124 |
| Digital Filing | £34 | £50 |
| Paper Filing | £62 | £110 |
| Change of Name (Same Day) | £83 | £85 |
| Digital | £33 | £13 |
| Paper fees | £44 | £18 |
| LLP Administrative Restoration | £468 | £341 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When exactly do the February 2026 fee increases take effect?
The new fees apply to any submission made on or after . The date that matters is when Companies House receives the filing, not when it relates to. For example, a confirmation statement submitted on , even if it covers a period up to January 2026, would be charged at the new higher fee.
If I purchase a formation package before 1 February 2026 but submit details after that date, which fee applies?
The Companies House fee is charged based on when the application is submitted to Companies House, not when you purchase a package. To secure the current lower fee, all information and documentation must be submitted, and the application must be received by Companies House before . Please submit all required information, including identity verification documents, at least 2-3 days before the deadline to allow time for processing and address any potential issues.
Should I incorporate my company before 1 February 2026 to save money?
If you were planning to incorporate in early 2026 anyway, incorporating before will save you £50 on the incorporation fee (£50 vs. £100). However, do not rush to incorporate if you are not genuinely ready to start your business. The £50 saving is not worth incorporating prematurely if your business plan is not yet finalised. Remember that once incorporated, you will have ongoing obligations, including confirmation statements (£50 annually from February 2026), accounts filing, and other compliance requirements, regardless of whether you are actively trading.
Can I file my confirmation statement early to avoid the higher fee?
Yes, confirmation statements can be filed up to 28 days before the due date. If your confirmation statement is due in February or March 2026, filing in late January 2026 would secure the current £34 fee rather than the new £50 fee. Ensure such early filing does not cause any other issues with your company’s compliance schedule.
This was an insightful read. Wow! even more companies house fee increase. I will have to adjust my own business accordingly.