Starting from 15th November 2025, all companies filing documents with Companies House will be required to use a confirmation code to authenticate and complete their filings. This new mandatory process is designed to enhance security and prevent fraudulent activity related to company filings, such as unauthorised changes to company information or attempted identity theft. For businesses that regularly submit documents to Companies House, whether they’re updating company records, filing confirmation statements, or submitting annual accounts, understanding and preparing for this change is critical.
As a leading corporate law firm, we understand how vital it is for our clients to stay ahead of regulatory changes like this one. In this article, we’ll explain why confirmation codes are being introduced, what this means for your company, and how our legal team can help ensure your business remains compliant.
What are confirmation codes and why are they becoming mandatory?
A confirmation code is a unique code issued by Companies House that acts as a form of e-authentication for company filings. From 15th November 2025, whenever a company needs to submit a filing to Companies House, this code must be included as part of the filing process.
The goal of this change is to:
- Increase security: By introducing an additional layer of authentication, the confirmation code will help prevent unauthorised filings that could potentially harm a company’s legal standing.
- Prevent fraud: It aims to reduce the risk of fraudulent amendments to company records, such as unauthorised changes to a company’s directors, registered address, or financial details.
- Improve integrity: With an added layer of verification, Companies House will have better confidence in the validity of filings, helping to ensure that the information on the public register is accurate and legitimate.
How will this affect your company?
For businesses that routinely submit filings to Companies House, the introduction of mandatory confirmation codes means that companies will need to take extra steps to ensure their filings are completed on time. Here are a few key things to consider:
- Timely Filing: Since the introduction of this new requirement may cause delays if the confirmation code is not readily available, it’s critical for companies to plan ahead. Failure to submit filings on time could result in penalties or the risk of being struck off the register, particularly for documents like the annual confirmation statement.
- Managing Your Confirmation Code Safely: As this code will serve as an electronic signature, it’s crucial for companies to safeguard their confirmation codes to avoid unauthorised use. Companies should maintain strong cybersecurity practices to protect against data breaches and fraud.
How can we help?
At RIAA Barker Gillette, we understand that keeping up with regulatory changes can be challenging for businesses, especially for those who do not have a dedicated legal or compliance team. Our experienced corporate lawyers are here to guide you through this new requirement and help ensure that your company stays compliant with Companies House regulations.
Here’s how we can assist:
- Filing Compliance: We will ensure that all corporate filings to Companies House, including confirmation statements, are completed correctly, with the necessary confirmation code attached. This will reduce the risk of filing errors and potential penalties for late submissions.
- Ongoing Updates: Regulatory changes in corporate law are frequent, and our firm stays up-to-date on all developments. We will keep you informed of any further updates or adjustments to filing processes and help you stay ahead of compliance obligations.
The introduction of confirmation codes by Companies House, effective from 15th November 2025, represents an important change for businesses in the UK. It’s crucial for companies to act now to ensure they understand how this new system works and how to use it effectively when filing documents. By preparing in advance, businesses can avoid delays, prevent fraudulent activity, and ensure their filings are processed on time.
We are committed to helping our clients navigate these changes with confidence. Whether you need advice on how to obtain your confirmation code, ensure your filings are compliant, our team is here to provide expert legal support every step of the way.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss how we can assist you with these new requirements, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
About the author
Victoria Holland is a Partner and Head of the Corporate & Commercial team at RIAA Barker Gillette. She works with a broad range of clients, including large multinational companies, start-ups, SMEs, partnerships, investors, and entrepreneurs. She has extensive experience providing transactional and commercial contract advice across various industries, such as automotive, biotech, property management and investment, financing, software and technology.