Companies House

What Is Companies House

Companies House is the official UK government registrar of companies. It was established in 1844 under the Joint Stock Companies Act 1844, which was the first legislation to require company registration in the UK. Today, Companies House operates under the Companies Act 2006, and it is responsible for incorporating and maintaining records of all limited companies, LLPs, and related entities in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Key Functions of Companies House

Companies House plays a central role in the regulation and transparency of UK companies. Its key functions include:

• Company Formation: Registers new companies and issues the Certificate of Incorporation.
• Maintenance of Public Records: Maintains an open and accessible register of companies, including ownership and filing history.
• Filing and Storage of Statutory Documents. Receives and stores key company documents such as:
  • Annual Accounts
  • Confirmation Statements (CS01)
  • Director and Secretary Appointments (AP01, TM01)
  • Share Allotments and Transfers
  • Change of Registered Office Address (AD01)
• Company Dissolution and Strike-Off: Handles voluntary and compulsory dissolution of companies.
• Enforcement and Compliance Monitoring: Monitors non-compliance and can initiate strike-off procedures for failure to file.
• Digital Filing Services: Provides online services and APIs for document submission, including electronic authentication.
• Data Sharing with HMRC and Other Government Bodies: Notifies HMRC upon incorporation and shares data with regulatory and enforcement agencies.
• Business Transparency and Accountability: Ensures information about company directors, PSCs (People with Significant Control), and financial status is publicly available.

Further reading: Companies House Explained