About Companies House

Companies House plays a major part in your business, so it’s important to know what it does and how it could affect you. We’ve put together the essential information below.

Companies House is a part of the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.

Its main functions are to:

  • Incorporate and dissolve limited companies.
  • Examine and store company information delivered under the Companies Act and related legislation.
  • Make this information available to the public.

This means that, as well as registering your new business with Companies House after your company has been formed and whether you’re actively trading or not, you’ll also need to file:

  • Annual returns and company accounts.
  • Any change to your registered address.
  • Changes in the details of your Shareholders, Directors and Secretary.

It’s a criminal offence to fail to file this information and can mean penalties for the officers (directors and secretaries) of the company as well as the possibility of having your company struck off the register and dissolved.

For further information head to our help centre.

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