If you run a limited company in the UK, many of your legal obligations rely on one small but powerful tool: The Companies House Authentication Code. This unique code acts as your digital signature and grants you secure access to update your company’s information online.
What is the Companies House Authentication Code?
The Companies House Authentication Code is a six-character alphanumeric code. Think of it as the online equivalent of a handwritten signature or your bank card PIN.
After incorporation, Companies House sends the code by post to your company’s registered office address. You will need this code for managing your business’s official record online.
It also enables you to submit official documents and make changes to your company information through the Companies House WebFiling service. You will need it to:
- File Confirmation Statements and Annual Accounts
- Change your company’s registered office address
- Appoint or remove directors
- Update shareholder or share capital details
- Close or dissolve your company
You cannot file documents online without the code, therefore resulting in missed deadlines or fines.
How to Get Your Code
You should receive your Companies House Authentication Code by post within five working days of setting up your company. Companies House will send it to wherever you set your registered office address as.
If you did not receive your code or have misplaced it, follow these steps to request a new one:
- Go to the Companies House WebFiling portal
- Sign in or create an account using your email and password
- Click “Request an authentication code”
- Enter your company registration number
- Confirm your request
Companies House will then post the code to your registered office address. For security reasons, they will not send the code by email or provide it over the phone. The process can only be done through WebFiling.
Before requesting your code, make sure your company’s registered office address is correct. If it is incorrect, update it by filing a AD01 Form online and wait for confirmation. Then, request your authentication code to ensure it arrives at your current location.
How to Use Your Code
Once you have your Companies House Authentication Code, using it is simple:
- Visit the Companies House WebFiling login page
- Enter your company number and authentication code
- Access your company dashboard to file documents or make changes
You will use the same code to complete a variety of different tasks, such as submitting Confirmation Statements or appointing new directors. As with anything that grants access to sensitive company information, you should keep your authentication code safe and secure.
If someone gains access to it, they could make unauthorised changes to your company’s records.
How to Change or Reset Your Code
You can change your Companies House Authentication Code at any time. This is a good idea if:
- You want a code that is easier to remember
- You suspect someone else knows your current code
- There has been a change in company personnel or accountants
To change your code:
- Sign into the WebFiling service
- Select the “Company authentication” option
- Enter a new six-character alphanumeric code
- Confirm the change
Companies House will send a confirmation to your registered office address. Make sure anyone else who files on your behalf knows the new code too, as the old one will immediately no longer work.
Lost Your Companies House Authentication Code?
It is common to misplace your Companies House Authentication Code, especially if you only use it once or twice a year. If you lose it, just follow the process detailed above to request a new one via the WebFiling portal.
It can take five working days to arrive and even longer during busy periods. So, do not leave it until just before a deadline. If you believe your code has fallen into the wrong hands, you should change it immediately through WebFiling to prevent unauthorised filings. This will also prevent unauthorised access to your company’s records.
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