Whether you need to chase a filing, clarify a deadline, or resolve an issue with your company record, knowing the correct companies house tel number is the first step. Companies House is an executive agency of the UK government responsible for maintaining the register of companies - it registers new limited companies and dissolves them, and holds the public record of company information that anyone can access.
This guide gives you every contact detail you need, explains when to call, and covers the alternative ways to get in touch so you can handle your business efficiently.
Key Takeaways
The official contact number for Companies House is 0303 1234 500, suitable for most UK-based enquiries.
Contact centre lines are open 8.30am to 6pm, monday to friday, and closed on weekends and UK public holidays.
The Companies House main office at Crown Way, Cardiff, CF14 3UZ is not open to the public for walk-in queries - most matters should be handled by telephone, email, or online.
You can email Companies House at enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk for general enquiries.
Alternative accessible contact options include a minicom/textphone number (029 2022 6788), a Welsh language contact number (029 2038 0065), and Relay UK for hearing-impaired users.
How To Contact Companies House By Telephone
This section gives you the exact companies house tel number and explains what types of enquiries it covers.
The main telephone number for the Companies House contact centre is 0303 1234 500. Call Companies House at 0303 1234 500 for general enquiries covering:
Company filings and confirmation statements
Annual accounts and deadlines
Using WebFiling and other digital services
Identity verification for directors and persons with significant control
Standard geographic-rate call charges apply. The 03 prefix is treated like 01 or 02 numbers by most UK landline and mobile providers, so if your call package includes geographic numbers, there may be no additional cost.
Overseas callers should dial +44 303 1234 500 and check international call charges with their provider. Roaming rates vary, so people calling from outside the uk may find email or online forms more cost-effective.
Before picking up the phone, have your company number, full registered company name, and any relevant filing reference to hand. This helps staff locate your record quickly and keeps the call short.
Many straightforward queries - such as checking filing deadlines, company status, or details about persons with significant control - can be answered faster via the Companies House online register. The register is free to search and available around the clock. However, if you prefer phone support or have a complex issue, the helpline is there to help.
Companies House Contact Centre Opening Times
The contact centre handles the vast majority of telephone enquiries to Companies House and operates during set weekday hours.
The Companies House contact centre is normally open monday to friday, from 8:30am to 6:00pm UK time. Contact centre lines are closed on:
Saturdays and Sundays
UK bank and public holidays (for example, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day)
Regional offices in Edinburgh, Belfast, and Cardiff follow the same telephone hours, though specific local closures may apply - for instance, the Belfast office is closed on 14 July 2026. Opening times are subject to change, and the latest updated information is posted on the official Companies House service pages.
Tips to reduce waiting time:
Call earlier in the day, ideally between 8:30am and 10:00am
Avoid the lunchtime rush (12:00pm–2:00pm)
During major filing deadline periods, allow extra time or consider using email and online services as an alternative
Other Ways To Contact Companies House
Not every query requires a phone call. Companies House provides several alternative contact routes that may be more convenient depending on the subject of your enquiry.
Email Companies House at enquiries@companieshouse.gov.uk for general queries. This gives you a written record of the answer you receive. Some specialist teams - for example, those handling late filing penalties or complaints - have dedicated email addresses published on the official website, which should be used where relevant.
Online contact form
There is a gov.uk online contact form that routes queries to the correct Companies House department based on your topic selection. This is useful if you are unsure which team handles your issue.
Online guidance and digital services
Companies House offers an online platform for filing accounts and company updates electronically, reducing the need to call at all. Many common questions are covered in detailed online guidance, including filing requirements, identity verification rules, and how to use WebFiling or certified software. Companies House also provides public access to company data including bulk downloads, and offers a service to access company records for free via the online register.
Social media
Social media contact is available via direct messaging on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X. These channels can be useful for quick, non-sensitive queries.
Avoid including sensitive personal information in unencrypted email. Companies House will never ask for authentication codes by email - any such request is likely a phishing scam.
Companies House Main Office And Postal Address
The Companies House main office is not open to the public for walk-in enquiries or counter services. Visitors cannot attend without an appointment, and no reception staff will assist with ad hoc queries.
The main office address for postal filings for companies registered in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland is:
Companies House, Crown Way, Cardiff, CF14 3UZ, United Kingdom (DX 33050 Cardiff)
Documents can be posted or couriered to the external post box at the main office. Companies House Cardiff is open 24 hours for document receipt via this external facility. However, staff do not accept hand deliveries inside, nor provide a receipt for documents dropped off this way.
Companies House has regional offices for document drop-offs and public counter services, though the scope of these services is limited. Details and specific office addresses can be checked on the GOV.UK Companies House page, including the Edinburgh and Belfast offices.
Important distinction: The registered office address of your own company is separate from the Companies House main office address. All filings must be sent to Companies House - not to your company's registered address. Using the correct central address helps avoid delay caused by internal redirection between UK offices.
If you need proof that your documents arrived, use tracked or signed-for postal services. Companies House cannot provide proof of delivery for items left in the external post box.
Sending Documents To Companies House By Post
Although online filing is usually faster and provides instant confirmation, some documents may still need to be sent to Companies House by post. All paper filings for companies across the uk should normally be sent to the main office in Cardiff unless official guidance states otherwise.
Your envelope and covering letter should clearly show:
The full registered company name (exactly as on the register)
The company registration number
To request a simple acknowledgement of receipt, enclose a stamped addressed envelope and a copy of your covering letter. Companies House will date stamp the copy and return it. This is confirmation that documents have been received - not that they have been accepted, examined, or registered.
Post well before statutory deadlines. Companies House does not treat postal delays as a valid reason to waive late filing penalties.
What Information To Include With Posted Documents
Getting the details right the first time reduces the risk of filings being rejected or delayed.
Requirement | What to do |
|---|---|
Company name | Use the full name exactly as it appears on the register (for example, "A Demo Company Limited" not "A Demo Co Ltd") |
Company number | Include on all correspondence, forms, and accounts |
Form version | Use the current official version of each form |
Signatures | Sign where required; unsigned forms will be returned |
Format | Follow the registrar's rules on format and content |
Check the latest guidance before posting to ensure you are using the right version of each form.
Filing Accounts And Other Documents On Time
Timely filing keeps your company in good standing on the public register and avoids penalties. Companies House maintains a public record of company information, meaning late or missing filings are visible to anyone who searches your company.
Key filing deadlines:
Private companies: Annual accounts due 9 months after the financial year end
Public companies: Annual accounts due 6 months after the financial year end
Confirmation statements: Due within 14 days of the review period end
Late filing of accounts results in automatic civil penalties, which increase the longer the delay continues. The contact centre can answer general questions about deadlines and filing methods, but cannot grant extensions outside the formal rules.
Companies House offers an online platform for filing accounts and company updates electronically, which gives instant submission and a clear timestamp. Directors remain legally responsible for meeting deadlines even if they delegate the process to accountants or third-party agents.
With over 5.44 million active companies on the register, the transformation toward digital filing has become a core part of the agency's strategy for managing volume efficiently.
Postal Delays And Late Filing Penalties
Relying on last-minute posting can create serious compliance risks. Companies House generally does not accept postal delays, industrial action, or courier issues as valid reasons to cancel late filing penalties.
Documents are considered delivered when they are received by Companies House - not when they are posted. This is a critical distinction.
How to protect yourself:
File online wherever possible for instant proof of submission
If posting is unavoidable, send documents at least two weeks before the deadline
Keep proof of posting and tracking details for your own records
Use signed-for or tracked services to verify delivery
Accessibility, Welsh Language Support And Complaints
Companies House provides accessible contact options and supports both English and Welsh language enquiries.
Hearing-impaired users
A minicom/textphone contact number is available: 029 2022 6788. This connects directly to the Companies House contact centre team. In addition, accessibility support is available through Relay UK for Companies House, enabling users with hearing or speech difficulties to communicate via a textphone or app.
Welsh language support
The Welsh language contact number is 029 2038 0065. Callers to the main 0303 1234 500 number can also press '0' at the start of the call to request a Welsh-speaking advisor. Bilingual forms are provided for companies whose jurisdiction is Wales, and certain documents may be filed in Welsh without requiring a translation.
Alternative formats
Users can request information in alternative accessible formats - such as large print or braille - where appropriate, following Companies House's published accessibility policies.
Complaints
Complaints about Companies House services can be submitted by email, letter, or online form. There is a structured complaints procedure:
First-tier review (aim to respond within 28 days)
Second-tier review if the first result is unsatisfactory
Independent adjudicator if still unresolved
When raising a complaint, provide dates, times, your company name and number, and any reference numbers so that the matter can be investigated efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit the Companies House main office in person?
The main Companies House office at crown way, Cardiff is not open to the public for walk-in queries or counter services. Only external postal facilities - such as the 24-hour post box - are available for dropping off documents, and no reception staff will issue a receipt. Most queries should be handled by telephone, email, or online services. If you need to visit a regional office, check the GOV.UK Companies House page for current availability at the Edinburgh, Belfast, or Cardiff offices.
Is the Companies House telephone number free to call?
The 0303 1234 500 number is not free, but it is charged at the same rate as standard 01 or 02 geographic numbers. Many inclusive call packages from UK landline and mobile providers cover calls to 03 numbers, meaning there may be no additional cost for some callers. If you are unsure about charges, check with your phone provider before calling.
What should I have ready before calling the Companies House contact centre?
Have your company registration number and full registered company name ready - exactly as it appears on the register. Prepare any relevant dates, such as filing deadlines or the date a document was submitted, to help staff find information quickly. Having access to email during the call can also be useful if staff need to send links to online guidance or forms.
Can Companies House staff give me legal or tax advice over the phone?
No. Companies House can explain filing requirements, the process for using its services, and how to read the register, but cannot provide legal, accounting, or tax advice. For questions about law, tax, or corporate strategy, seek independent professional advice from a solicitor, accountant, or business adviser. Staff may signpost callers to official guidance or other government bodies where appropriate.
How quickly will Companies House respond if I contact them by email instead of phone?
Response times vary depending on query types and workload, but Companies House aims to reply to most general enquiries within a few working days. Mark urgent matters clearly in the subject line and include all key details to avoid back-and-forth clarification. For time-critical issues - such as imminent filing deadlines - telephone contact is usually the fastest way to get an answer.
