If you run a UK limited company, keeping your directors' records accurate at Companies House is not optional. Form CH01 is the official document you use to update an existing director's details - things like a name change after marriage, a new service address, or an updated nationality. Filing a CH01 form maintains accurate public records at Companies House, and CH01 is essential for legal compliance and business credibility. This guide walks you through everything you need to know, from what the form covers to how to complete and submit it without errors.
Key Takeaways
Form CH01 is the official Companies House document used to change the details of an existing individual director for a UK limited company. It updates a director's name or address, among other personal details.
You must file CH01 within 14 days of any director changes such as name, service address, nationality, or residential address.
CH01 updates existing director details, not removals. It does not appoint a new director (that requires AP01) or remove one (use TM01 for that).
A director's residential address and full date of birth are protected information. Only the service address and month/year of birth appear on the public register.
Accurate, timely CH01 filings keep Companies House records correct and help both the company and its officers avoid compliance issues and potential penalties.
What Is the CH01 Form?
The CH01 form - officially titled "Change of director's details" - is the document used to notify Companies House when any personal details of an existing individual director change. Use form CH01 to update a director's details including their name, address, nationality, or occupation.
The CH01 form is specifically for individual directors. If the director in question is a corporate entity rather than a person, a different form (CH02) applies. Similarly, CH01 does not appoint or remove anyone - it only amends records that are already on file.
The current official CH01 template, version 8.0, is available as a PDF on the Companies House website and can also be filed online through the WebFiling service. The form is applicable for companies registered across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, provided they appear on the Companies House register.
When You Must Use Form CH01
Under section 167H of the Companies Act 2006, companies must notify Companies House of director changes within 14 days from the date the change actually occurs - not from when someone at the company becomes aware of it. This is an important distinction that catches people out.
Here are concrete examples of changes that trigger a CH01 filing:
Change of surname (for example, after marriage or by deed poll)
Updated service address or residential address
New nationality, occupation, or country of residence
Addition or correction of former names
For other changes not covered by CH01, you may need to notify Companies House within 21 days, depending on the type of filing. Make sure to follow the correct deadline for each document.
CH01 is distinct from several related forms:
Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
AP01 | Appoint a new individual director |
TM01 | End (terminate) a director's appointment |
CH02 | Change details of a corporate director |
RP CH01 | Correct an incorrect date of birth on the register |
CH01 is not for altering the company's constitution, registered office, or shareholders. It deals solely with individual director information.
One more thing: whenever you file CH01 with Companies House, you must also update your internal company registers - the register of directors, the register of residential addresses, and any other statutory books your company maintains.
What Director’s Details Can Be Changed on CH01?
CH01 is focused on updating personal details and official contact information for a director already on file. The main fields you can amend include:
Full name or title, and any former names
Service address (this appears on the public Companies House register)
Usual residential address (this is protected and not publicly visible)
Country or state of residence
Nationality
Business occupation
Common updates include name changes and address updates for directors. You can use CH01 to register changes like name or address in a single filing, as long as everything relates to the same director. For example, updating both a surname and a service address in one go is perfectly fine.
Date of birth corrections are a separate matter. If the date of birth already filed is wrong, you need to use form RP CH01 to replace the original document. CH01 can reference the correct details where applicable, but Companies House expects the dedicated replacement form for birth date errors.
The distinction between service address and residential address matters. The service address is visible to anyone searching the public register, while the residential address is confidential. If the director uses their home address as their service address, it effectively becomes public - so many directors select a separate correspondence address to protect their privacy.
Information You Need Before Completing CH01
Before you start filling out the form, gather the following information to avoid delays or rejections.
Company-level information:
Full company name exactly as registered at Companies House
Your company number (the 8-digit registration number)
Confirmation that the company is still active on the register
Existing director's details (must match current Companies House records):
Full name, including any former names on file
Date of birth (month and year, used for identification)
Current service address as published on the register
New details to be entered:
Updated name, new service address, revised nationality or occupation, updated residential address, or new country of residence
The effective date - the actual date the change took place
One common reason for rejection is using non-standard spellings for nationality or country names. Companies House maintains a specific list of accepted terms. Before you submit, confirm the correct spelling and format against that list. Simply checking this in advance can save you from an unnecessary back-and-forth.
How to Complete the CH01 Form Step by Step
Whether you file online or by paper, the overall process follows the same logical sequence. Here is how to complete each section:
Step 1 - Identify the company. Fill in the full registered company name and the company number. These must match the details held at Companies House exactly.
Step 2 - Identify the director. Enter the existing details for the director whose information is changing. This includes their full name, month and year of birth, and current service address. Every field must align with what Companies House already has on record.
Step 3 - Select which details are changing. Indicate the specific fields being updated. Only fill in the sections relevant to the change - you do not need to complete every section of the form.
Step 4 - Enter the new information. For each field you are updating, enter the new details. This could be a new surname, a revised service address, a different nationality occupation date, or an updated country of residence.
Step 5 - Add the effective date. Enter the date on which the change actually took effect. This is critical for meeting the 14-day deadline.
Step 6 - Sign or authenticate. For paper forms, the director or another authorised officer must sign. For online submissions, you will need your company authentication code or a presenter account.
Step 7 - Review and submit. Double-check every field. Errors at this stage can require an additional filing to correct, which creates unnecessary work and potential compliance risk.
Filing CH01 Online vs By Post
Companies House encourages electronic filing, but paper CH01 forms sent by post remain valid.
Online filing: The fastest way to file a CH01 form is online through the GOV.UK Companies House Service. You can file CH01 online or via paper form, but online submissions are typically processed within 24–48 hours. The system performs basic validation checks on field completeness and formatting, which reduces the chance of errors. You will need your company authentication code or a registered presenter account.
Postal filing: To file by post, download the latest CH01 PDF (currently version 8.0) from the Companies House website. Print it, fill it in using block capitals and black ink, sign where required, and send it to the appropriate address:
Jurisdiction | Address |
|---|---|
England & Wales | Crown Way, Cardiff, CF14 3UZ |
Scotland | Edinburgh Quay 2, 139 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 9FF |
Northern Ireland | The Linenhall, Belfast, BT2 8BG |
Postal filings take several working days - sometimes longer during busy periods. The change only takes legal effect once it is accepted and recorded.
There is normally no Companies House fee for submitting CH01, whether you file online or by post. However, delays in processing can still have compliance implications for the company, so online filing is generally the better option if speed matters to you.
CH01 and Related Forms for Director Changes
CH01 is only one of several key forms used to manage director changes for a limited company. Understanding how they connect helps you avoid filing the wrong document.
AP01 - Appointing a new director. When you appoint a new director, you file AP01 with their basic personal details and consent to act. If those details later need updating, CH01 is the follow-up form.
TM01 - Terminating a director's appointment. When directors resign or are removed, you file form TM01 to remove a director within 14 days. CH01 does not remove a director; use TM01 for that purpose.
RP CH01 - Correcting date of birth. If the date of birth filed with the original appointment (AP01) was incorrect, RP CH01 replaces that document. This process can take up to 20 working days.
A quick scenario: A startup brings on a new director after an investment round and files AP01. Six months later, that director relocates abroad and changes their service address. The company simply files CH01 to update the address and country of residence. No new appointment is needed - just a change of existing details.
Privacy, Public Records, and Compliance
Some director changes affect what appears on the public Companies House register, and others remain confidential. Understanding this is important for people who want to protect their personal information.
What is public:
Service address
Partial date of birth (month and year only, for appointments made after 10 October 2009)
Full name and nationality
What is protected:
Usual residential address (only accessible to authorised bodies such as law enforcement and credit reference agencies)
Full date of birth
Residential addresses are kept private and only accessible to authorized bodies. However, if the director uses their home address as the service address, it will appear on the public record. This is a common pitfall - many directors are unaware that their home details become visible in this situation.
Companies must keep their internal register of directors and company secretaries up to date in addition to notifying Companies House via CH01. This requirement also extends to your annual filings and any other statutory obligations. Failure to notify Companies House of director changes within 14 days may result in both the company and its officers being in breach of the Companies Act and exposed to potential penalties. Filing a CH01 form is not just about compliance - it also ensures that your records align when investors, lenders, or partners conduct due diligence.
Practical Examples of Using CH01
Here are three short scenarios that show how CH01 works in practice.
Example 1 - Name change, nationality, and relocation. A director marries and takes a new surname. At the same time, they acquire dual nationality and relocate to another country. The company files a single CH01 to change the details across all three fields: new surname, updated nationality, and revised country of residence. The service address is also updated to a virtual business address in the UK.
Example 2 - Office move, residential address stays private. A director's business moves to a new location. They need to update the service address on the register but want their home address to remain confidential. The company files CH01 with the new service address only. The residential address stays protected because it was never used as the service address.
Example 3 - Correcting a typo after appointment. An early-stage startup files AP01 to appoint a new director. Later, someone notices that the director's occupation was entered incorrectly. The company files CH01 to correct the occupation field. If the date of birth had been wrong instead, they would need RP CH01 - a separate and slower process.
These examples illustrate the need to align Companies House records with internal company registers, bank documentation, and investor records. Mismatches between public filings and internal documents can create problems during funding rounds or regulatory reviews.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The CH01 form seems straightforward, but avoidable errors cause rejection or delay more often than you might expect. Be aware of the following:
Non-standard nationality or country names. Using a variant spelling not on the approved Companies House list leads to rejection. Always check the official list before you file.
Mismatched current details. If the director's name or existing address does not exactly match what Companies House has on record, the filing will be queried or rejected.
Missing effective date. Without the date the change took effect, Companies House cannot confirm whether you met the 14-day deadline.
Confusing service address and residential address fields. Entering a home address in the service address section inadvertently makes it public.
Using CH01 to appoint or remove directors. CH01 cannot do either. Use AP01 to appoint and TM01 when directors resign or are removed.
Ignoring internal records. Filing with Companies House but forgetting to update your own statutory registers, bank records, and contracts creates inconsistencies that surface during audits or due diligence.
A practical tip: keep a checklist or internal procedure for any details change involving officers. Ensure that your statutory registers, internal systems, and Companies House filings all match every time a change occurs.
FAQ
How long does Companies House take to update a CH01 filing?
Online CH01 submissions are often processed within 24–48 hours. Paper forms sent by post can take several working days, and processing times may be longer during busy periods or if Companies House needs to query inconsistent director's details. If you need a change reflected on the register quickly, online filing is the better choice.
Can I change a director’s date of birth using CH01?
No. Date of birth corrections are usually made using form RP CH01 rather than CH01 itself. This replacement form addresses errors in the date of birth already on the register from a previous filing, such as an AP01. The RP CH01 process can take up to 20 working days, so allow extra time.
Is there a fee to file a CH01 form with Companies House?
As of 2026, Companies House does not charge a fee for filing CH01, whether online or by post. However, if you use professional advisers or company secretaries to handle the process on your behalf, they may charge their own service fees.
Do I need to notify anyone else after filing CH01?
Yes. Companies should also update their internal register of directors, bank records, insurance policies, and any key contracts that list the director's information. Investors or lenders may require evidence that Companies House has updated the director's details, especially after funding rounds or restructurings.
What happens if I don’t file CH01 within 14 days?
Failing to notify Companies House within the 14-day deadline may place both the company and its officers in breach of statutory duties under the Companies Act 2006. Persistent non-compliance can lead to warnings, potential fines, and problems when the company later tries to file other changes or complete due diligence with investors. There is no good reason to delay - the filing is free and takes only a few minutes online.
