Companies House will implement revised fees from 1st February 2026. This represents the second fee adjustment following the enactment of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, with the first increase having taken effect in May 2024.
Background to the Fee Changes
The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act has introduced substantial reforms to UK company law. These reforms have expanded the responsibilities of Companies House to include:
- Operating a mandatory identity verification service for all company officers and persons with significant control
- Conducting investigations into information held on the public register
- Enhanced data checking and validation procedures
- Maintaining accurate records for over 5 million registered companies (as of April 2025)
Companies House operates as a cost-recovery government department, meaning its fees are structured to cover operational and administrative expenses. The implementation of new technological infrastructure and enhanced verification processes has increased operational costs, which are reflected in the revised fee structure.
Fee Comparison Table
The following table presents a comparison of selected fees, showing the current charges and those applicable from 1st February 2026:
|
Service |
Submission Method |
Current Fee |
Fee from 1st February 2026 |
Increase |
|
Company Incorporation |
Digital |
£50 |
£100 |
+£50 (100%) |
|
Paper |
£71 |
£124 |
+£53 (75%) |
|
|
Company Incorporation (Same Day) |
Digital |
£78 |
£156 |
+£78 (100%) |
|
Confirmation Statement (CS01) |
Digital |
£34 |
£50 |
+£16 (47%) |
|
Paper |
£62 |
£110 |
+£48 (77%) |
|
|
Change of Company Name (Same Day) |
Digital |
£83 |
£85 |
+£2 (2.4%) |
Additional Information
A complete schedule of all fee changes is published on the official government website at: https://changestoukcompanylaw.campaign.gov.uk/changes-to-companies-house-fees/
The fee structure demonstrates a consistent pricing differential between digital and paper submissions, with digital filings remaining substantially less expensive across all service categories.
Summary
From 1st February 2026, Companies House will implement significant fee increases across its services. The most notable changes include a 100% increase in digital company incorporation fees (from £50 to £100) and a 47% increase in digital confirmation statement fees (from £34 to £50). These adjustments correspond with the organisation's expanded regulatory functions under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act, including mandatory identity verification and enhanced data validation processes.
Despite these increases, registering a company directly through the Companies House online portal remains the most economical option. Third-party company formation agents typically charge service fees ranging from £5 to hundreds of pounds in addition to the government fees, meaning direct registration can result in substantial savings. The Companies House digital service typically processes applications within 24 hours and eliminates intermediary costs. The fee structure continues to incentivise digital submission methods, which remain considerably less expensive than paper-based alternatives. Organisations should consider registering directly with Companies House to minimise costs and benefit from faster processing times.