At a glance
- Company code
- Six characters; issued for the company
- Director personal code
- Belongs to an individual after identity verification
- Replacement delivery
- Allow up to 10 working days
Where to look first
Check the Companies House code letter and ask the person who manages the registered office or company filings. Your accountant or company-formation provider may hold the code with your authority. Confirm the company number before using any saved code.
Do not put it in public documents or ordinary chat. Enter it only in the protected filing form when you are ready to arrange the authorised filing.
Request a replacement through Companies House
Companies House normally posts the code to the registered office. Allow up to 10 working days. It is not supplied by email or over the phone. If you cannot access the registered office, check the official alternative process for delivery to a home address.
If the registered office is a service provider, arrange reliable mail forwarding before the deadline. A scan forwarded by your own authorised provider is different from Companies House emailing a replacement code.
Two codes that are easy to confuse
The company authentication code is used for the company’s filings. A personal code is issued to a person after identity verification and is used to link that verified identity to relevant roles. You cannot substitute one for the other.
The standard dormant-accounts form asks for the company code. A separate confirmation statement can also need director personal codes.
How to use it with our filing service
We request the code in the protected form and store it encrypted for the authorised filing. Keep private approval links confidential and check you are using the right company.
If you believe a company code has been compromised, use the official Companies House guidance to change it and tell the people authorised to file for that company.
Common questions
Can I request it from overseas?
You can use the online request procedure, but make sure you can receive the postal delivery through the registered office or eligible alternative route.
Can you file without it?
The online filing route requires the appropriate authorisation. Contact us if the code is unavailable; do not enter a guessed code.
Official sources
Check the official guidance for the rules that apply to your company. Dates and fees can change.
Ready to check your company?
Review your figures before payment. A director approves the final accounts before filing.
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