Key Takeaways
Companies House is the UK's official registrar, and anyone can use its companies house searchable databases to find free company information on over five million registered entities.
You can search by company name, number, or officer name to access accounts, filing history, registered office address, and status in a few clicks.
The companies house service lets registered users follow a company, file certain documents online, and run a disqualified directors search.
Company information supplied by Companies House is drawn from the official register but is not fully verified under company law, so treat it as a starting point rather than legal advice.
Acceptable use rules limit bulk extraction, and links to external websites from the register do not imply endorsement.
Introduction: What is Companies House and Why Use It?
Companies House is the UK government's registrar of companies for England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The companies house register is publicly accessible online, and its company information service is the quickest way to check whether a company exists, its current status, and who runs it. As of 2026, most searches and document downloads from the update company information service are free of charge. This guide focuses on how to find companies house online, search the register, and interpret the company information you find there.
How to Find and Access Companies House Online
To reach the official companies house service, go directly via GOV.UK rather than through copycat or paid intermediary sites. The main service, often called "Find and update company information," is accessible without registering for a basic company search. You can also find it by searching phrases like "Companies House register" in any search engine and clicking the official GOV.UK result. Bookmark the page if you regularly carry out due diligence or compliance checks through these digital services.
How to Use Companies House Searchable Databases
The companies house searchable databases let you search by company name, company number, officer name, or disqualified directors, all from a central search page. The service allows unlimited free searches for company information. Start with the primary search box, then refine results using filters such as status (active, dissolved), location, and company type. Advanced search options can filter by incorporation date, SIC code, or partial name matches. Search results typically show the company name, number, status, and registered office location. A separate disqualified directors search and registers of dissolved companies are also provided.
What Company Information You Can Find on the Register
Each company's page on the companies house register provides a structured overview and detailed filing history drawn from paper documents registered under UK company law. All incorporated entities in the UK are listed on the companies house register. Companies House maintains detailed records of UK registered companies. Here is what you will typically find:
Overview: Registered name, company number, registered office address (indicating where a company is officially located), country of registration, incorporation date (showing when a company was formed), company type (including Private Limited Company and Public Limited Company), nature of business denoted by Standard Industrial Classification codes as a business description, and current status - which can be active, in liquidation, or dissolved. Limited liability partnerships and overseas companies with uk establishments are also covered. The Register of Overseas Entities details foreign companies owning UK land.
Officers: Directors, company secretaries, and people with significant control (PSC), with appointment dates. Records include corporate officers and persons with significant control. The section shows current and resigned officers, and sometimes a resigned officer count for transparency. An insolvency practitioner name may appear if relevant.
Filing history: Annual accounts and confirmation statements can be downloaded for review. Filing history includes changes, appointments, and downloadable documents. You can view associated document images, registered material, and items such as part satisfied charges satisfied, since Companies House data includes information on charges and mortgages. Paper documents and document images are available alongside annual return filing dates and corporation tax information where relevant. Companies House collects and publicizes information about company officers.
Certificates: Users can order official certificates or certified copies through the company information service for legal or banking purposes.
Company Information Supplied by Companies House: Checks and Limits
Companies House performs basic checks on filed documents for completeness, signatures, and correct financial year, but does not verify the accuracy of submitted information. Companies house examines accounts and appropriate documents for formal compliance only. Service registration data provided may contain errors, and occasional inaccuracies occur until corrected. This means that service registration data on the register is not guaranteed to be factually accurate. If you spot incorrect details, contact Companies House with evidence; the registrar may request revised accounts or properly delivered updated filings from the company. Each document delivered must meet basic standards, but the registrar's statutory power does not extend to full factual verification. Treat this as an important source, not a substitute for professional due diligence.
Following a Company and Using the Online Company Information Service
You can follow a company for free via Companies House. You must register with an email and password to follow companies using a registered email address. Email alerts notify you of company transactions immediately, with a link to the company's filing history where you can download newly filed documents. The followed company is not notified of your following status, making this useful for competitor monitoring or investor research. You can follow multiple companies without limitations.
Using the Service to File Information About Your Own Company
Company officers or authorised presenters must verify their identity and obtain permission through personal or presenter codes before filing. Documents must include appropriate authentication codes for filing. Once logged in, users can submit accounts, update officer details, change the registered address, or notify Companies House about changes in people with significant control. Companies send certain notifications to HMRC - for example, corporation tax details when newly incorporated or when changing accounting periods. Some entities registered must also prepare consolidated group accounts where required. Failing to file reports on time can lead to penalties or strike-off from the register, so meeting legal obligations and governments regulations is essential.
Disqualified Directors Search and Director Checks
Companies House provides a separate disqualified directors search. Disqualified directors can be specifically searched on Companies House to check if someone is banned from acting as a director. Records typically show the individual's name, address (under data protection rules), partial date of birth, disqualification length, and a brief reason. Businesses, lenders, and advisers should use both the main officer search and the disqualified directors search for due diligence. Information is updated regularly but may contain errors; bring a company's attention to suspected inaccuracies by contacting Companies House or customers writing to the relevant enforcement body.
Acceptable Use, Data Protection, and External Websites
Companies House searchable databases are for normal access, not bulk downloads. Users wishing to extract large datasets can access the Companies House API for real-time company data, or use the XML Gateway, which allows computer-to-computer searching of company records. Companies House provides bulk data products for large datasets. Generating unusually high numbers of daily database accesses from single ip addresses can degrade service for others, leading to denied access without notice - a security service measure to protect system performance.
Data protection companies house rules apply: Companies House collects personal data about officers and PSCs because it is required by law, governed by UK GDPR and a published information charter. The site may include links to linked websites and linked pages hosting document images, but the registrar does not control or endorse external websites. Cookies are used on the service; review the cookie policy for details.
Disclaimer and Limits of the Companies House Service
The service information disclaimer makes clear that information on the website is not a complete statement of company law. Companies house means to provide reliable data, but cannot guarantee every entry is free of error in particular circumstances. Users should seek independent professional advice from solicitors, accountants, or regulated advisers before relying on data for major transactions. Independent professional advice is especially important when dealing with complex structures or unfamiliar entities. Companies House accepts no responsibility for loss arising from reliance on its company information service, company search results, or disqualified directors search.
FAQ
Is It Free to Search Companies House and Download Company Documents?
As of mid-2026, basic company search and most document downloads - including accounts and confirmation statements - are free. Most information on Companies House is free to view and download. Certain certified copies may attract a small fee, clearly shown before ordering. No account is needed for a simple search.
How Accurate Is the Information on the Companies House Register?
Information is supplied by companies and their advisers. Companies House carries out only basic checks, not full verification. Most data is reliable but can include mistakes until corrections are submitted. Cross-check key details and seek independent professional advice before making important decisions.
How Far Back Does Companies House Keep Records of Dissolved Companies?
Companies House retains records of dissolved companies for 20 years. Records of dissolved companies are kept for 20 years post-dissolution. Older records may be available through specialist products. Use search filters to include dissolved companies when investigating historic structures or the principal business address of former trading entities.
Do I Need an Account to Follow a Company or File Information?
No account is needed for a company search. To follow a company or file documents, register with an email and password. Officers or agents also need authentication codes issued by Companies House. Keep login details secure, as they control filing changes on the public register.
Can I Rely on Companies House Information to Check If a Director Is Disqualified?
The disqualified directors search is the official UK source for checking disqualification orders. Delays or errors can occasionally occur. For critical decisions, combine the search with independent legal checks. Search for company details using name, number, or officer name to cross-reference director records across registered entities.
